Nine lucky students traveled with me to one of the largest fashion conventions in the world in Las Vegas, February 14 and 15. Each year, “Magic” attracts vendors and manufacturers from around the world to showcase their collections to industry buyers. This event is not open to the public, but as faculty in the Dept. of Family and Consumer Sciences, I was able to take students to experience this aspect of the fashion industry. 

You’ve seen Shark Tank? Well, welcome to Space Tank. A UH research team led by Shu-Hwa Lin of the Dept. of Family and Consumer Sciences, Fashion Design and Merchandising Program, is heading to Houston to compete in NASA’s MITTIC Competition. Besides participating in the federal space agency’s contest – the first Hawaiʻi group to do so – the team will seek guidance from NASA experts who study fire resistance during spaceship re-entry.

Aloha Airlines, fondly remembered as “The People’s Airline,” flew across Hawaiʻi’s skies from 1946-2008. Though the company closed its doors 15 years ago, its legacy continues with their Flight Attendant Uniform Collection. More than 60 years of flight attendant uniforms reflect current fashion trends, as well as features local designers and manufacturers.

Congrats to Leah Aoki, a senior in the Dept. of Family and Consumer Sciences, Fashion Design and Merchandising program! A garment designed by Leah was accepted by the International Textile and Apparel Association, and will be presented at the ITAA’s annual conference this November in Baltimore. 

Want to hang out with your fellow CTAHR students, show your college pride, and make a memorable gift that graduates will treasure forever? Then join the Stole Society, a student group of the Fashion Design and Merchandising program, and make stoles for the next graduating class! The group meets afternoons in Heller 204.