Latest News...
Hifi Highlights for the New Year
2009 was Hifi’s best year yet, with a host of new partnerships and initiatives aimed at moving Hawaii fashion forward. The New Year brings even more opportunity for collaboration, growth, and evolution. As always, Hifi is what the community makes it, and with the opportunities now before us we are closer than ever to putting Hawaii fashion on the map. Your participation is crucial to realizing this vision. Here’s a rundown of our biggest developments – it’s never been a better time to become a Hifi member!
What’s New for 2010
•· Newsletter Launch - Hawaii RED Magazine and Hifi are partnering on a weekly fashion e-newsletter. Starting in January the newsletter will be Hifi’s primary outlet for news and events, and all Hifi members and mailing list subscribers will receive it. Hifi members will have access to extras and exclusive online content, as well as opportunities for exposure in the newsletter.
•· Fashion Resource Center – Hifi is closer than ever to reaching our goal of a physical resource center. We’re touring properties in Kalihi and Kakaako, and are putting together a coalition of partners to make the center a vibrant hub for fashion and the arts. Shared workspace, classes, workshops, photo shoots, office/meeting space, small-run garment manufacturing, exhibits, screen-printing, and a fabric/notions co-op are just some of the possible uses that could be housed in such a facility. If you are interested in partnering or joining our planning committee, e-mail us.
•· Pop-up Boutique – Hifi’s pop-up boutique The Coop is slated to become ubiquitous, as we explore opportunities to host events at major retail destinations on Oahu. To join The Coop planning committee or participate in retail pop-up events, send us an e-mail.
•· New Website Features – Hifi’s member directory is now partially available to the public on our website. Browse online profiles of the local designers, photographers, makeup artists, media, and other professionals in Hifi’s membership. Members can log in to access more detailed directory listings.
•· New Event Partnerships – Hifi and Hawaii RED Magazine are expanding our event partnership, with over 12 fashion events planned for 2010. Hifi is also working with designers and retailers on a monthly event to showcase fashion in the downtown Culture and Arts District. Look for details in the newsletter!
•· Organizational Restructuring – The closing of Hifi’s fiscal sponsor Community Links Hawaii this month marks the end of a great partnership, as well as a new opportunity for Hifi to evolve and restructure. In these tough economic times, Hifi believes it is important to band together with likeminded groups and to live by the Hawaiian ideology of laulima – a task made easier by many hands. We will keep you informed as Hifi navigates this crossroads and welcome your thoughts and ideas – send them here.
•· 2010 Hifi T-shirts by Sierra Dew – Maui designer Sierra Dew is creating Hifi’s limited edition 2010 t-shirt. Those who are familiar with her hand-stenciled, eco-friendly designs know these will be a hot commodity! As always, tees will be available to Hifi members at a discount.
Highlights of a Fabulous 2009…
•· * Hifi closed out the year with 70 members and a mailing list of nearly 1,000 fashion professionals and enthusiasts.
•· * We forged media partnerships with The Honolulu Advertiser's Fashion Forum blog and INNOV8 Magazine (the official inflight magazine of go! Airlines) to provide exposure for our members.
•· * Hifi launched its pop-up boutique “The Coop”, which brings local designers to events as a collective. Over 30 local designers have participated in Hifi’s pop-up events this year, and The Coop was prominently featured in a recent editorial by Paula Rath of The Honolulu Advertiser.
•· * We collaborated on high-profile fashion events with Neiman Marcus, The Contemporary Museum, Ala Moana Center, Watermark Publishing, Hawaii RED Magazine, and Kane Magazine, among others.
•· * Our August exhibit “50 Years of Fashion in Hawai‘i” at Ala Moana Center drew over 7,000 visitors and garnered valuable exposure and funds for the University of Hawai‘i’s historic Costume Collection.
•· * We produced our second annual “Green Style” eco-fashion weekend in Kona, featuring an industry reception, panel discussion, fashion show and ECOmarket with 18 fashion and beauty vendors from across Hawaii. Visit the events page of our website and scroll down to see videos of the action.
•· * Hifi’s efforts to promote the UH Costume Collection led to recognition in the State Senate, where Senator Will Espero proposed a bill to recognize it as a "world class collection of historic and national quality, integrity, and significance".
•· * We were approached by several property owners interested in establishing a physical outpost for the local fashion industry while breathing new life into underutilized properties. Hifi continues to explore these and other options for creating a fashion district and resource center in Honolulu.
•· * Hifi connected high school and college students with mentors and internships, made presentations at local schools, and promoted Honolulu’s two college-level fashion programs (at UH and HCC) through an event showcasing student work at Neiman Marcus. |