{"id":152336,"date":"2021-11-29T13:28:39","date_gmt":"2021-11-29T23:28:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/?p=152336"},"modified":"2024-03-15T22:23:53","modified_gmt":"2024-03-16T08:23:53","slug":"alumna-hawaiian-designs-ny-fashion-week","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/2021\/11\/29\/alumna-hawaiian-designs-ny-fashion-week\/","title":{"rendered":"<abbr>UH<\/abbr> alumna to showcase contemporary Hawaiian designs at <abbr>NY<\/abbr> Fashion Week"},"content":{"rendered":"<span class=\"span-reading-time rt-reading-time\" style=\"display: block;\"><span class=\"rt-label rt-prefix\">Reading time: <\/span> <span class=\"rt-time\"> 3<\/span> <span class=\"rt-label rt-postfix\">minutes<\/span><\/span><div class=\"responsive-video-wrap-post\"><figure class=\"wp-block-embed wp-block-embed-youtube is-type-video is-provider-youtube epyt-figure\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\"><div class=\"epyt-video-wrapper\"><iframe  id=\"_ytid_96858\"  width=\"676\" height=\"676\"  data-origwidth=\"676\" data-origheight=\"676\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/M1dDqHvsSrI?enablejsapi=1&origin=https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu&rel=0&autoplay=0&cc_load_policy=0&cc_lang_pref=&iv_load_policy=1&loop=0&fs=1&playsinline=0&autohide=2&theme=dark&color=red&controls=1&disablekb=0&\" class=\"__youtube_prefs__  no-lazyload\" title=\"Â鶹´«Ã½alumna to showcase contemporary Hawaiian designs at NY Fashion Week\"  allow=\"fullscreen; accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen data-no-lazy=\"1\" data-skipgform_ajax_framebjll=\"\"><\/iframe><\/div><\/div><\/figure><\/div>\n<p>From a very young age, <strong>Sharayah Chun-Lai<\/strong> adored the thrill of fashion. One of her favorite pastimes as a little girl was playing dress up inside her grandmother\u2019s classy closet and trying on shoes. That admiration for apparel led her to pursue a <a href=\"https:\/\/cms.ctahr.hawaii.edu\/fcs\/Undergraduate\/FDM\">Fashion Design and Merchandising<\/a> (<abbr>FDM<\/abbr>) degree at the <a href=\"https:\/\/manoa.hawaii.edu\/\">University of <span aria-label=\"Hawaii\">Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> at M\u0101noa<\/a> and launch a modern Hawaiian-inspired clothing and lifestyle retail line, <a href=\"https:\/\/olahoudesigns.com\/\">Ola Hou Designs<\/a>, in 2019.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_152349\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-152349\" style=\"width: 214px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/manoa-fashion-chun-lai-3-214x300.jpg\" alt=\"Woman\" width=\"214\" height=\"300\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-152349\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/manoa-fashion-chun-lai-3-214x300.jpg 214w, https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/manoa-fashion-chun-lai-3-93x130.jpg 93w, https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/manoa-fashion-chun-lai-3.jpg 250w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 214px) 100vw, 214px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-152349\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Ola Hou design<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Just two years after starting her custom online fashion business, the dream phone call of thousands of designers arrived. The voice on the other end came from the Big Apple, and invited the <span aria-label=\"Hawaii\">Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> Island native to one of the industry\u2019s biggest events, New York Fashion Week.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;On October 6, I received a call from Runway 7 Fashion that literally changed my life,&rdquo; Chun-Lai exclaimed. &ldquo;This has been a dream of mine, and to receive this opportunity to showcase my designs on the runway is still so surreal for me.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>The semi-annual New York event showcases fashion collections for international buyers, major media outlets, celebrities and fashionistas. Chun-Lai is the first k\u0101naka &#699;\u014diwi wahine (Native Hawaiian woman) to accept an invitation. She quickly got to work designing and sketching a brand new contemporary line in her Kea\u02bbau living room to showcase in one of the world\u2019s biggest fashion events in February 2022. She plans to spotlight 20 &ldquo;looks&rdquo; for k\u0101ne (men) and w\u0101hine (women) and is working with a team of <span aria-label=\"Hawaii\">Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> Island seamstresses to complete the one-of-a-kind garments.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_152350\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-152350\" style=\"width: 214px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/manoa-fashion-chun-lai-2-214x300.jpg\" alt=\"Man\" width=\"214\" height=\"300\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-152350\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/manoa-fashion-chun-lai-2-214x300.jpg 214w, https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/manoa-fashion-chun-lai-2-93x130.jpg 93w, https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/manoa-fashion-chun-lai-2.jpg 250w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 214px) 100vw, 214px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-152350\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Ola Hou design<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&ldquo;Ola Hou Designs will bring aloha to the world, as each design tells a story to see, wear and represent,&rdquo; Chun-Lai said. &ldquo;Each print depicts a deeper meaning than what meets the eye. My designs are representations of my family, friends, culture, life and love, intertwined together to create artistic and transportive experiences, and connections with my customers.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Chun-Lai, a Kamehameha Schools <span aria-label=\"Hawaii\">Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> alumna, sees the golden opportunity in the Big Apple as a springboard for other <span aria-label=\"Hawaii\">Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> hopefuls, too. From dancers, musicians to models, the 27-year-old plans to feature a wide range of local talent at her fashion show. One of the 19 models set to strut down the New York City runway is <abbr title=\"University of Hawaii\">UH<\/abbr> football player <strong>Kilohana Haasenritter<\/strong>, a running back for the Rainbow Warriors.<\/p>\n<h2>Crediting <abbr>UH<\/abbr> fashion design program<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_152351\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-152351\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/manoa-fashion-chun-lai-group-300x169.jpg\" alt=\"Group of people\" width=\"300\" height=\"169\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-152351\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/manoa-fashion-chun-lai-group-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/manoa-fashion-chun-lai-group-130x73.jpg 130w, https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/manoa-fashion-chun-lai-group.jpg 676w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-152351\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Ola Hou designs<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Chun-Lai admits the pressure to deliver on a grand stage creeps up from time to time. The fashion industry is notorious for its harsh critics and competition. She recalls one of her <abbr>UH<\/abbr> fashion design professors sharing the importance of always being true to yourself and bringing unique designs to the world. It\u2019s lessons like those that still strike a chord.<\/p>\n<p>Before entering <abbr>FDM<\/abbr> in the <a href=\"https:\/\/cms.ctahr.hawaii.edu\/\">College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources<\/a>, Chun-Lai had no clue how to sew a stitch. Through her undergraduate program, she eventually mastered everything from tailoring to pattern making. The <abbr>UH<\/abbr> alumna hopes more aspiring designers will recognize the valuable opportunities here in the Aloha State.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_152352\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-152352\" style=\"width: 214px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/manoa-fashion-chun-lai-1-214x300.jpg\" alt=\"Woman with bag\" width=\"214\" height=\"300\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-152352\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/manoa-fashion-chun-lai-1-214x300.jpg 214w, https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/manoa-fashion-chun-lai-1-93x130.jpg 93w, https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/manoa-fashion-chun-lai-1.jpg 250w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 214px) 100vw, 214px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-152352\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Ola Hou design<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&ldquo;You don&#8217;t always have to look elsewhere to study fashion,&rdquo; she explained. &ldquo;We have a great program here in <span aria-label=\"Hawaii\">Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> where you learn all aspects of the fashion industry from amazing professors. My experience that I had attending the Fashion Design and Merchandising program helped to steer me into the right direction and I can say that I&#8217;m living proof that you can stay home, here in <span aria-label=\"Hawaii\">Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span>, earn a degree and make a career of your very own.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Chun-Lai will take a team of 45 local professionals with her to <abbr>NYC<\/abbr>, and to help cover an estimated $100,000 for airfare, accommodations and expenses to showcase her collection at Sony Hall, the budding entrepreneur is seeking partnerships and sponsorships. <a href=\"https:\/\/olahoudesigns.com\/\">For more information go to the Ola Hou Designs website<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>When asked what lies at the heart of her passion for fashion, the young designer answered, her 4-year-old daughter Emsley. She\u2019s determined to demonstrate to her little girl that anything can be achieved through following your passion, hard work and effort. Young Emsley is set to make an appearance at mom\u2019s big show and is busy rehearsing her model strut down Chun-Lai\u2019s hallway.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_152353\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-152353\" style=\"width: 676px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/manoa-fashion-chun-lai-ohana.jpg\" alt=\"Three people\" width=\"676\" height=\"381\" class=\"size-full wp-image-152353\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/manoa-fashion-chun-lai-ohana.jpg 676w, https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/manoa-fashion-chun-lai-ohana-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/manoa-fashion-chun-lai-ohana-130x73.jpg 130w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 676px) 100vw, 676px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-152353\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sharayah Chun-Lai with her &#699;ohana.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>This effort is an example of <abbr>UH<\/abbr> M\u0101noa\u2019s goal of <a href=\"https:\/\/manoa.hawaii.edu\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/manoa-2025-strategic-plan.pdf#page=20\">Enhancing Student Success<\/a> (<span class=\"small-text\"><abbr title=\"Portable Document Format\">PDF<\/abbr><\/span>), one of four goals identified in the <a href=\"https:\/\/manoa.hawaii.edu\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/manoa-2025-strategic-plan.pdf\">2015&#8211;25 Â鶹´«Ã½<\/a> (<span class=\"small-text\"><abbr title=\"Portable Document Format\">PDF<\/abbr><\/span>), updated in December 2020.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Sharayah Chun-Lai needs help to cover costs for airfare, accommodations and expenses to showcase her collection at Sony Hall.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[29,12],"tags":[90,679,212,476,423,9,56,1626],"class_list":["post-152336","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-people","category-video","tag-alumni","tag-alumni-recognition","tag-college-of-tropical-agriculture-and-human-resilience","tag-fashion","tag-fashion-design-and-merchandising","tag-uh-manoa","tag-video-2","tag-women-of-uh","entry","has-media"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/152336","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/16"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=152336"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/152336\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":152357,"href":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/152336\/revisions\/152357"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=152336"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=152336"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=152336"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}