Japanese Influence in Aloha Shirts

Fashion design student Ikuko Nitta studied Japanese influence on aloha shirts as an independent study under the direction of Dr. Andy Reilly. Ikuko designed her own project to study and selected five shirts from the UHM Historic Fashion Collection which she analyzed for symbolism. She identified complex meanings in the motifs of each shirt which provides a deeper understanding of aesthetics and how it influenced the development of a local Japanese style. Ikuko wrote a paper summarizing her findings and set up an exhibit in Miller Hall. The exhibit will be up through January 4.

By Andy Reilly