During Spring 2023, in the course FDM 338 - 2D/3D Computer-Aided Design (CAD), students embarked on a journey of crafting 3D virtual garments and catwalks, fashion flats and illustrations, along with designing captivating graphics for t-shirts, all stemming from their design concepts. Under Dr. Ju-Young Kang's guidance, students utilized various fashion CAD software, including Optitex, Adobe Illustrator, and Adobe Photoshop. This experience provided students with valuable opportunities to explore the applications of technology in the fashion industry. Beyond showcasing their boundless creativity, this 2D/3D CAD project stands as a testament to the remarkable fusion of technology and imagination. Behold the exquisite 2D/3D fashion designs brought to life by our gifted students! (Watch the video and our photo album.)  -written by Ju-Young Kang

Rebounding from last year’s small-scale outdoor event with COVID-19 restrictions, “SuperSonic” arrives with a resounding boom!  This year’s 57th UHM fashion show boasts nine senior and twelve junior design students showcasing their creations on April 30, 2023 at the Hawaii Convention Center (tentatively). 

Each senior will present their unique collections consisting of 5-6 inspired looks, including the garment, make-up and runway music. Twelve junior designers contribute to their own group interpretation of the MET GALA 2023 theme, “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty.” 

The Fashion Show Production class plans and organizes the entire event from budgeting to staging and anticipate 300 or more guests to attend. The students associate the word “supersonic” with the supernatural impact that is left behind. They explain that the term reflects the great efforts of this year’s senior class and the show will “create a lasting impact on not just the audience, but for the designers as well, as many of them will pave their way into the fashion world after graduation.” Details can be found on the FDM and Fashion Show Instagram accounts: @fdm_uhm and @uhmfashionshow. –Minako McCarthy & Jacqueline Tani

FDM 437 Small Business Start-up class recently opened their new retail brands, Hidden Essentials and Artists Collective, which features handmade products created by the FDM students and selected merchandise sourced from local/national vendors.

Hidden Essentials is an online boutique run by 10 fashion design and merchandising students at UH Mānoa. This includes our e-commerce team: Michelle Kinumatsu, Makali'i Saunders, and Hoku Serna; our marketing team: Kanako Yoshitsugu, Melanie Simmons, and Jisoo Kim; our merchandising team: Cailin Kaneshiro, Jada Rogers, and Danielle Gersonde; and our team leader, Sabrina Weaver. The Artists Collective is a joint shop created by Olivia Maguire, Jordan Casteen, Crystal Lam, Enzo Silvestro, Riana Kawamura, Megan Medrano, Blaise Sugita and Dominique Au....[For the full article, click "Read more"]