As we ring in the new year and clear out the old, one might want to pause and consider a revival of something from the past:  the resurgence of the muʻumuʻu in our fashion discussions and maybe a new addition to your closet…or a kept treasure

Muʻumuʻu month started in 2014, when Shannon Hiramoto posted photos of herself wearing a different muʻumuʻu every day in January. She soon gained an Instagram following of emulators who are coined the month a “muʻuvement.”  Just type #muumuumonth for a glimpse into the variations of styles and colors that women of all ages are proudly sharing. Some are now wearing a muʻumuʻu as an expression of their cultural and ancestral identities, reflecting on the history of the garment.

In the 1820’s, Christian missionaries created the muʻumuʻu as a modified version of their own garments de rigueur, to cover up the body and replace the immodest paʻu or skirt that the native Hawaiian women made by wrapping tapa around their waists. Constructing the muʻumuʻu out of leftover muslin, they loosened the bodice and shortened the sleeves creating a kind of slip intended to be worn under the more formal holokū...[For the full article, click "Read more"]

Kudos to FDM instructor Erin Robinson, who recently completed a Faculty Development Course for Effective Teaching Practices.  Erin heard about the course during the pandemic and thought it would be a positive way to improve her teaching.  She learned about different student-centered practices, how including how to teach student learning processes (e.g., notetaking), altering courses to make them accessible to different learning styles, and utilizing student feedback.  Erin raved about the course, saying it “gave me some insight on how to work on critical thinking with my students and forced me out of my box of how apparel construction ‘should be’ taught.” One of the critical thinking components Erin now employs in her sewing classes is to have a group discussion before every project.  “I never imagined that group discussions could be part of apparel construction, but it really helps the students with critical thinking and working through questions together,” she explained.  The course was offered by the Association of College and University Educators via the UH Center for Teaching Excellence.  -Andy Reilly & Jacqueline Tani

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