Projects

All of Hifi's goals and projects are informed by the input of its members.  At Hifi’s very first event in April 2007, 50 survey respondents identified expanding Honolulu Fashion Week, creating a Honolulu Fashion District, providing affordable workspace and showroom space for designers, developing trade shows to attract local and international retailers, and hosting events to showcase local talent as top priorities, though support was evident across the board for a wide range of initiatives such as education, mentorship, creating an online directory and community, and forging partnerships with local arts/cultural organizations.  This and other ongoing feedback from the community have helped define Hifi's main projects and priorities.

Fashion Resource Center 

In addition to the virtual resources on Hifi’s website, Hifi plans to establish a resource center that the fashion and arts community can utilize as a hub for classes, workshops, photo shoots, materials exchange, garment production, showroom space, affordable workspace and more.  Hifi is exploring properties in Chinatown, Kalihi and Kakaako for this purpose and is currently seeking input and potential partners.  To partner with us or keep informed on this effort, send us an e-mail. 

Honolulu Fashion Week

2007 marked the first year of Hifi’s involvement with the F.A.C.E. (Fashion Art Cuisine Entertainment) of Nu‘uanu Fashion Week in downtown Honolulu.  The inaugural event in 2006 drew over 10,000 people to Nu‘uanu Avenue for a street festival and contest-based fashion show for local designers.  In 2007, the event stretched over an entire week and included international guest designers, fashion exhibits, and multiple fashion shows in addition to the main contest.  Hifi plans to take an active role in promoting the continuation of Honolulu fashion week and helping it grow in coming years.

"The Coop" Pop-up Boutique 

Hifi's pop-up boutique "The Coop" brings local designers from Hifi's membership to events as a collective.  Over 50 local designers have participated in our pop-up events and garnered sales, networking opportunities, and valuable exposure.  Hifi plans to increase The Coop's visibility by setting up pop-up events at major shopping destinations throughout Honolulu.  We are in the planning phases now  - we need your feedback and involvement to make it happen!  Please take a moment to complete our pop-up survey. 

Honolulu Fashion District

Survey respondents from the local fashion community identified the creation of a central Fashion District as one of the top five priorities for Hifi.  The fashion district would be a physical locale where designers live and work, garments are manufactured under a “Made in Hawaii” certification system, and showrooms and market weeks attract local and international buyers.  Hifi will continue exploring ways to realize this vision.

Media Partnerships

Hifi has partnered with local media to benefit our members and the community.  We partner with Hawaii RED Magazine on our weekly e-newsletter, Style Circle, which reaches over 700 subscribers and features Hifi news, events, and members.  We also enjoy a relationship with Paula Rath's Fashion Forum blog.  

UH Costume Collection

Hifi is partnering with the University of Hawai‘i Department of Apparel Product Design and Merchandising to raise community awareness and support for the UH Costume Collection.  The Collection is one of the most extensive in the country, with the largest and most valuable collection of Polynesian garments and textiles.  Hifi believes that the UH Costume Collection is an inspirational resource for designers and should be a source of pride for the local community, as well as a fashion-related attraction for visitors.  Hifi shares UH’s vision of making the collection accessible to the public and finding it a permanent home.

This list is just the beginning... send us your ideas for fashion in Hawaii!