The ‘grandfather of Hawaii fashion’ proves that classic design is never out of style

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Nake’u Awai is touted because the “grandfather of Hawaii vogue” and mentioned to be the primary Hawaiian dressmaker who used native prints.

“Each print has a sense, a reining in again to Hawaii,” mentioned Awai, 85.

“My feeling was I actually needed to do garments for native individuals,” he added.

He’s been a fixture on the style scene because the Nineteen Sixties and a daily on the Merrie Monarch Pageant craft honest.

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His “male hula dancer” print reveals hula kane wearing malo or loin material performing a hula kahiko or historic dance wth uliuli or feathered gourd rattles. It’s an iconic Nakeu print.

“The artist introduced it to me and mentioned if you would like this you may. I purchased it from him and his title was Hiko Hanapi,” mentioned Awai.

This yr, he’s introducing Hawaiian prints on denims and bringing again the romper he first created 20 years in the past.

What retains his designs so coveted?

“Most people that come again say my mom had or my grandmother had. It’s nonetheless round and lots of people come again due to the recollections that it brings to them of their ohana and their connections,” mentioned Awai.

Not solely is his design studio in Kalihi full of cloth, it’s a photographic historical past of vogue with Hawaii’s who’s who.

Nowadays, his Hawaiian prints are reaching youthful followers exhibiting his basic types stay vogue ahead.

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