DBK Dezigns By Kamohoalii Europe Fashion Tour

Aloha mai kākou,

In May of 2022, renowned Hawaiʻi designer Kumu Micah Kamohoaliʻi of Dezigns By Kamohoaliʻi (DBK) received a once-in-a-lifetime, very rare invitation to be part of London Fashion Week, Milan Fashion Week and Paris Fashion Week that will take place September 17th thru 30th, 2022. This all followed the success as the first native Hawaiian designer invited to debut on the official New York Fashion Week platform in 2021.

DBK has teamed up with the Waimea Hawaiian Homestead 501(c)3 nonprofit Organization’s Cultural Division (WHHA) to embark on the Hawaiʻi Fashion Showcase European Tour that includes cultural exchange tours, educational and historic visits retracing the footsteps of Hawaiʻi’s monarchy in these countries, and numerous presentations, all leading up to showcases on the world’s largest fashion stages in London, Milan, and Paris during one season, just days apart of each other. This tour will share the best of Hawaiian music, culture, arts, fashion, story-telling and hula through the most famous and iconic fashion capitals of the world.

With a team of 30 Hawaiʻi natives to feature three entirely different shows, they will make history as the first Hawaiʻi brand to showcase on these official Fashion Runways in London, Milan, and Paris with their creation of an exciting production. A London presentation themed “Hulu Aliʻi - Feathers of royalty” honoring ancient and modern feather work while showcasing some of London’s signature looks. “Hale Kua – “The Kapa beating house,” a show for Milan honoring the extensive bark cloth traditions while presenting a mix of modern kapa pieces alongside some of Milan’s striking looks. The final showcase in Paris is themed “Ulana Hoʻoheno - The elegance of plaited leaves,” honoring the simple beauty and excellence of the pandanus woven fibers of ancient tradition and stylish, progressive fashion while featuring Paris’s iconic styles.

DBK has already covered all fashion week's costs, including showcase fees, production, tech support, filming, photography, and hair and makeup teams. Kumu Micah Kamohoaliʻi has partnered with WHHA to take cultural leaders, Hawaiian scholars, superstar talents, native Hawaiian models and artisans with them on this educational and cultural European tour. WHHA is working diligently to raise funds towards supporting these endeavors and cover their travel expenses to share an opportunity of a lifetime for these Hawai’i talents to represent and honor the excellence of their homeland and their people.

WHHA will also present a three-part concert series called Ka Momi in London, Milan and Paris, highlighting Hawaiian story-telling, music and hula. Ka Momi will share Hawaiʻi’s history, its in-depth relationships with over twenty treaties in countries around the world, including Hawaiʻi’s royal connection to monarchy, people and these places.

WHHA humbly requests monetary help from your organizations to make this historic tour a success for all of Hawaiʻi, our people, homeland, culture, arts and traditions.

Mahalo nui loa,

Dezigns By Kamohoalii & The Waimea Hawaiian Homesteaders Association Inc. 501(c)3