Ola Hou Designs Goes To New York Fashion Week '22
Donation protected
Aloha!
My name is Sharayah Chun-Lai and I am the owner and designer of Ola Hou Designs. Born in Hawai’i and raised on the Big Island, I always aspired to share my love of fashion and Hawaiian culture with the world.
I started Ola Hou Designs as an online retail store in June 2019. I design contemporary Aloha wear, accessories, and interior decor that reflect what is most important to me, the love and respect for my family and my Hawaiian roots. Ola Hou translates to "New Life" and Ola Hou Designs reflects my deep cultural roots and my formative educational experiences at Kamehameha Schools and the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. My goal is to bring forth new styles and designs that inspire through a contemporary Hawaiian look and feel.
Since I was a young girl, fashion has always been a passion that grew stronger with the passing of time. From dressing up in my motherʻs shoes, grandmotherʻs skirts and “shopping” in my older sisterʻs closet, it’s a love that I decided to turn into a career. I pursued my dreams and studied Fashion Design and Merchandising in college, and graduated with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa in 2016. After becoming a young mother, I committed to demonstrate to my daughter and the women of Hawai‘i that if you find your passion and focus, work hard, and dedicate time and effort, you can truly achieve anything.
On October 6, 2021, I received a once-in- a- lifetime opportunity to be a featured designer in New York Fashion Week. I am humbled and honored to be the First Native Hawaiian Wahine to accept and invitation from Runway 7 to showcase Ola Hou Designʻs uniquely modern Hawaiian vision at Sony Hall and represent Hawai‘i at New York Fashion Week in February 2022.
In the New York spotlight, Ola Hou Designs will bring Aloha to the world, as each design tells a story to see, wear and represent. Each print represents a deeper meaning than what meets the eye. They are representations of my family, friends, culture, life and love, intertwined together to create artistic and transportive experiences.
In order to cover an estimated $100,000 needed for airfare, accommodations, transportation and other expenses for a team of 45, including Native Hawaiian models and other top local musicians and performers, I am asking for your support to bring Hawai‘i to the world on New York Fashion Week’s bright stage and encouraging our young people, especially young women, to follow their passions until their dreams come true.
Mahalo for your support,
Sharayah Chun-Lai
Ola Hou Designs, LLC - Owner/Designer
My name is Sharayah Chun-Lai and I am the owner and designer of Ola Hou Designs. Born in Hawai’i and raised on the Big Island, I always aspired to share my love of fashion and Hawaiian culture with the world.
I started Ola Hou Designs as an online retail store in June 2019. I design contemporary Aloha wear, accessories, and interior decor that reflect what is most important to me, the love and respect for my family and my Hawaiian roots. Ola Hou translates to "New Life" and Ola Hou Designs reflects my deep cultural roots and my formative educational experiences at Kamehameha Schools and the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. My goal is to bring forth new styles and designs that inspire through a contemporary Hawaiian look and feel.
Since I was a young girl, fashion has always been a passion that grew stronger with the passing of time. From dressing up in my motherʻs shoes, grandmotherʻs skirts and “shopping” in my older sisterʻs closet, it’s a love that I decided to turn into a career. I pursued my dreams and studied Fashion Design and Merchandising in college, and graduated with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa in 2016. After becoming a young mother, I committed to demonstrate to my daughter and the women of Hawai‘i that if you find your passion and focus, work hard, and dedicate time and effort, you can truly achieve anything.
On October 6, 2021, I received a once-in- a- lifetime opportunity to be a featured designer in New York Fashion Week. I am humbled and honored to be the First Native Hawaiian Wahine to accept and invitation from Runway 7 to showcase Ola Hou Designʻs uniquely modern Hawaiian vision at Sony Hall and represent Hawai‘i at New York Fashion Week in February 2022.
In the New York spotlight, Ola Hou Designs will bring Aloha to the world, as each design tells a story to see, wear and represent. Each print represents a deeper meaning than what meets the eye. They are representations of my family, friends, culture, life and love, intertwined together to create artistic and transportive experiences.
In order to cover an estimated $100,000 needed for airfare, accommodations, transportation and other expenses for a team of 45, including Native Hawaiian models and other top local musicians and performers, I am asking for your support to bring Hawai‘i to the world on New York Fashion Week’s bright stage and encouraging our young people, especially young women, to follow their passions until their dreams come true.
Mahalo for your support,
Sharayah Chun-Lai
Ola Hou Designs, LLC - Owner/Designer
Organizer
Sharayah Chun-Lai
Organizer
Hilo, HI