Dr. Andy Reilly, Jordan Antonio, and Dr. Youngjin Bahng received a Paper of Distinction Award from the International Textile and Apparel Association at the annual meeting in November 2025. Their paper focused on sustainability efforts used by Kānaka Maoli fashion designers. They found that ʻaloha aina (love of the land) guides Kānaka Maoli when designing and manufacturing garments. Designers focus on considering the environment in all aspects of the process, including selecting organic and durable textiles, using local manufacturing resources when possible, focusing on quality over quantity, and upcycling or reusing textile waste. Each team member brought their expertise to this project—Andy Reilly focuses Hawaiʻi fashion, graduate student Jordan Antonio on language, and Youngjin Bahng on sustainability—to showcase how ancient wisdom can help mitigate waste in the local fashion industry.

By Andy Reilly

The Fashion Design and Merchandising program had the opportunity to take part in this year’s Discover Mānoa event, where prospective students, families, and community members explored academic programs across campus. Our FDM booth welcomed a steady stream of visitors who were eager to learn more about the major and the hands-on experiences it offers.

We extend our appreciation to the five student representatives from the Stole Society and to the faculty members for their active engagement throughout the event. Their conversations with visitors helped highlight the strengths of the program and the creative opportunities available to FDM students. Younger attendees especially enjoyed the balloon animals crafted by our student participants, adding a fun and memorable element to the booth. Thank you to everyone in FDM who contributed to making our participation successful. Your support continue to strengthen our program’s presence in the UH Mānoa community.

By Ju-Young Kang

The Kalo Grant program continues to support Fashion Design & Merchandising students as they transform their ideas into impactful ventures. This semester, two FDM majors were awarded $500 in seed funding for their business concepts. Amelie Berg is developing Well Within, a platform designed to strengthen community connection through locally led classes, services, and wellness-focused experiences. Skylar Conley is building Da Rack, a mobile shop that delivers a curated blend of locally made art, vintage finds, and secondhand clothing. Through Kalo Grants, FDM students gain the early resources and encouragement needed to bring their entrepreneurial visions to life. For additional details, please refer to the UH News article.

By Mark Oandasan