Fashionista's Market

Two hours well spent in a room full of discounted fashion merchandise and good-looking people, with loud music and summer drinks. It's my first time in fashionista's market. What made me happy is not seeing the excitement or finding good deals, but talking with local designers who translate their inspirations from the land and ocean to their artworks, whether it is a pair of earrings or a tank top. Here a common love of Hawaii is transmitted by their creations. The stuffs on display are more than just stuff or the commercial concept of merchandise but embodiments of their taste and beliefs in life.


Roberta Oaks

Dressed in her own design (halter-neck in bright blue with graphics in red popping out so that my eyes blinked at the picture feeling electrified), Roberta talked about her love of color and the sophistication of harmonizing colors in one garment. Being an art and photography graduate from the mainland, she traveled to ocean islands before settling here in Hawaii to work on her art. It didn't take her too long to burst into the fashion industry by creating her own line, sewing herself at first and now selling to 150 stores worldwide. You can visit her website to view her latest designs.


Omnia Jewelry

Upon entering the room, I was instantly attracted to Andromeda's table with an exquisite and uncluttered display of her jewelries. The presentation (the branches, boats, plates as well as her artsy husband designed business card) distinguished her as a great designer. All the metal and beading works are handmade. I yearned for a pair of silver earrings in the shape of breaking wave or snail head. It is a pity that it didn't fit to my pierce. She even offered to thin it out to fit my ears. I love the idea of "tailored" jewelry.


Ginger 13

Cindy Yokoyama uses the most vibrant colors in her bracelets, earrings and necklaces. Her design is fun and funky. She may use two different earrings for an asymmetric look. Skulls are a recurring theme. I especially like the Longevity earring, in which she pairs gilded skull with emerald carved word. In Chinese, it means longevity or a wish for a long life. The two opposing symbols create a twisted humor. For a peek of her latest designs, visit her website.



Wings Hawaii

They are from Maui. Young, energetic and creative, a team of good friends who materialize their love of nature in their clothing and accessories. A big metal pendant, named after a Hawaiian owl, is said to guard off evil spirit. Another visually provoking pendant is a depiction of seahorse wing. After first, I thought it's a tweaked version of butterfly wing. A repeating image is a mermaid, fragile and floating with long tasseled hair, rising from a shell like a dream. The only thing I bought that day is their mermaid tank top in turquoise. A very cut top for a hot summer day.

There were also Cloth Hawaii, Wedding Cafe, and Dysfunction magazine among other vendors in the market. Though there was not a big crowd in the room as compared to the next Exhibition room for "The Big Sale of America", discount for families, fashionistas who did come for a fashion hunt were thrilled in front of the body-elongating mirrors in the large curtainless doorless fitting room. I know we shared that moment of feeling beautiful and affordable at the same time.