Hawaiian designer honours ancestors in fashion collection - London Pacific Fashion Week

Hawaiian designer honours ancestors in fashion collection - London Pacific Fashion Week Hawaiian fashion designer Kanoelani Davis of PōMahina Designs aims to enliven an audience at September’s London Pacific Fashion Week by showcasing garments and accessories that live and breathe the ancient culture of Molokai island and her ancestors.

“Molokai is a remote island with dirt roads, and no malls, or franchises. If the wind blows hard, your lights go out,” said Ms Davis.

The fashion business started from a kitchen table, using traditional hand-made tools and dyes. A core creative concept that embodies Davis’ work, is the story of Hina, the mother of the island of Molokai.

“PōMahina Designs is about self identity, imbued with culture, tradition and aloha. I enjoy working with chiffon and satin that allows beautiful flow to movement,” said Ms Davis.

The new collection of 15 fashion garments for London Pacific Fashion Week includes swim-wear, stunning head-pieces, ready to wear leisurewear, sportswear, running shoes, western boots, and high heels.

CEO of the event, Ana Lavekau said, “PōMahina Designs, is the first Hawaiian designer to fully represent a Hawaiian collection in London. In 2015 LPFW featured a collection by Missing Polynesia.”

Embodying the event’s theme of climate change Ms Davis says, “We see ourselves as protectors of our land and natural resources. The patterns and prints for PōMahina Designs are a reflection of the elements - the wind, rain, oceans, and mountains.”

London Pacific Fashion Week is on 13 September at the Royal Horseguards Hotel in Whitehall, London.

Fashion Designer Profile - PōMahina Designs (Kanoelani Davis)

Age:41

Nationality: Native Hawaiian from the island of Molokai

Kanoelani Davis of PōMahina Designs resides on Molokai Island in Hawaii and her roots journey back several generations. The fashion label is a well established brand and business providing clothing for a large Hawaiian market for about 10 years.

“I am a lifelong cultural practitioner and torchbearer for the survival of many Hawaiian art forms,” said Ms Davis.

First a hula teacher, in 2009, the story of Hina, the mother of the island of Molokai features strongly in Davis’ work. Her first designs depicted Hina as Hinaikamalama: the moon, Hinaikapola’ilai, Hina (moon) who sits in the serene night.

The fashion business started from a kitchen table, using traditional hand-made tools and dyes. Eventually, Davis’ graphic arts skills were utilised for digital designs on cloth, and for creating vinyl design works.

In 2015, Davis exhibited at MAMo Wearable Arts Show in both O’ahu and Maui. In 2016 she was a co-designer of the event and introduced wearable art forms on the runway.

“People will feel the depth of our vibrant culture in our fashion designs linked to our traditions and ancestors,” said Ms Davis.

The fashion line that originated with shirts and drawstring bags, has now transformed to hats, clothing, and accessories to meet the growing demands of a consumer market. PōMahina Designs caters to native Hawaiian people, and women, but all designs can ignite desire within the culturally conscious consumer.

Recently, PōMahina Designs was the main event at Fashion Week in Washington at the New Zealand embassy gathering of indigneous peoples’ of Native American, Maori, and Hawaiian ancestry.
Audience members at LPFW will be treated to a colourful ensemble of traditional hula music, and Hawaiian chanting to create an Island flavour that Ms Davis says “you will feel in your heart and body.”

Kanoelani Davis, Molokai Island, HAWAII
Fashion Brand: PōMahina Designs
For London Pacific Fashion Week, 13 Sep 2019, London
Website: www.pomahinadesigns.com

For all media enquiries, and interviews for PōMahina Designs (Kanoelani Davis) contact publicist Helena Bethune on +64 021 085 11486 or email bethune.communications@gmail.com