With the fashion industry being a very complex and ever-changing field, many students are choosing to major in this area in order to be a part of a global phenomenon. The enrollment for the FDM program is now at 112 majors as of Spring 2023, which has been a significant increase compared to prior years. With half of the majors in design and the other half in merchandising, many of our students are inspired to partake in this rigorous landscape despite the changes in consumer behavior and preferences and the availability of products from manufacturers worldwide. From zero-waste manufacturing to the rise of second-hand-tailing to increased social media presence (thanks to Instagram and Tik Tok), students are passionate about being involved in this community more than ever before. Fashion students are indulging not only as consumers, but as ambassadors in design and merchandising to leave their footprint of creativity in the industry... [For the full article, click "Read more"]

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"]