Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 38, Number 9, 1 September 2021 — Waimea Designer Mieah Kamohoali'i invited to New York Fashion Week [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]
Waimea Designer Mieah Kamohoali'i invited to New York Fashion Week
Hawaiian fashionistas Kini Zamora, Manaola Yap and Kēhaulani Nielson aren't the onIy Native Hawaiian designers making headlines these days. Kapa artist, kumu hula and designer Mieah Kamohoali'i has been invited to participate in the New York Fashion Week Runway 7 Fashion showcase at Sony Hall in Times Square with his clothing company on Sept. 9, 2021. It is the first time a Native Hawaiian designer has been invited to present at this New York Fashion Week platform. Kamohoali'i's label, Dezigns by Kamohoali'i, is distinguishable for its traditional roots as he comes from a long lineage of kapa makers. Well known for being a trail blazer, Kamohoali'i said he is using this platform to lead and establish a relationship with the fashion industry, paving the way for other Kānalea Maoli to achieve their goals. The multi-talented artist said that rural Hawai'i Island has very limited resources and even lesser opportunities for young aspiring models and talents. So Kamohoali'i has joined forces with the Hawai'i fashion showcase to take their veteran models to New York providing these young Native Hawaiians a onee in a Iifetime opportunity. Kamohoali'i will be showcasing the art of kapa, collaborating with lauhala weavers and feather artisans and taking everyone to the main stage. His said his objective is to bring a Native Hawaiian team comprised of designers, models, Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award winners, powerful chanters and keepers of the culture to the international fashion scene to share his people's cultural practices, arts, and fashion. His cultural showcase will essentially be bringing Hawai'i to New York. To help support the expense of sending a cast and crew to New York, a GoFundMe account has been created at https://gofund.me/8153c917. Kamohoali'i is hoping to raise $60,000 to help send his team of 30 to attend fashion week. In addition to serving as executive director of Hālau Nā Kīpu'upu'u, Kamohoali'i is the cultural chairman and cultural advisor for the Waimea Hawaiian Homesteaders' Association. Kamohoali'i is the son of Waimea Hawaiian Homesteaders Mike and Trisha Hodges. Mike is the president of the Waimea homestead association and the Hodges own Wow Farms.