HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – This Native Hawaiian fashion designer is about to make history.
Kumu Micah Kamohoalii is getting ready to embark on a European fashion tour to showcase his Hawaiian designs.
He will unveil his new collection first at the London Fashion Week on September 17.
Then a week later, Kamohoalii’s designs will hit the catwalk at the Milan Fashion Week. Not too long after, he’ll be closing out his tour at Paris Fashion Week.
Excitement is in the air for the designer and his team of 30 Hawaiian models and musicians as they prepare to travel Europe by train.
His one-of-a-kind apparel, Dezigns by Kamohoalii, brings indigenous Hawaii to life through traditional designs, bold colors, metaphoric imagery, and strong cultural symbolism.
On his European fashion tour, Kamohoalii said he will bring the essence of Hawaii to Europe through a 3 part cultural showcase featuring Hawaiian runway models (including his immediate family members), kapa pounding, chanting, and performances by award-winning vocalists, and dancers from his Halau Na Kipuupuu performing ancient and modern dances.
“I like to take an array of models,” added Kamahoalii. “I like to take real, real people and real Hawaiian people. And so I’ve been having to teach my aunties how to walk in heels, stilettos, and you know with boots.”
By participating in Fashion Week Europe, Kamohoalii hopes to provide insight and education into authentic Hawaiian fashion, arts and culture.
In addition to his European tour, the fashion designer just opened his first of two new stores on Oahu — one at Pearlridge Center and the other at Windward Mall.
He said his biggest challenge next to fundraising is going to be footwear.
To support Kamohoalii and his team, click here.
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