Garden Isle designers get bigger spotlight

There’s power in numbers, so designers from the Kauai Art Factory have banded together to showcase their work before a larger audience.

The designers made their collective debut during "A Journey to Kauai" fashion show that took place Saturday at the Hawai‘i Convention Center, in a partnership involving the Hawaii Fashion Incubator and the Kaua‘i Chamber of Commerce, which helped cover cost of travel and other expenses.

The Kauai Art Factory is involved in three more events on Kauai to celebrate Hawai‘i Fashion Month, highlighted by the Kai’kini Fashion Show and Trade Seminar on Nov. 22. The half-day event will begin with a noon lunch, followed by fashion show and seminar on industry-related topics, before concluding with a 4 p.m. invitation-only grand opening of KaiKini Bikini.

Among those who made their Oahu debut were jewelry designers Veronica Groepler of Veronica Jewels and Melea Matthews of Melea Artistry, Lucia Peterson of Bikini 808 Hawaii, handbag designer Jennifer Todice of Tikishiki, Chanterelle Chantara of Chez Chanterelle and accessories designer Audrey Auld of Salt Designs.

Photographer Rhonda Forsberg said the group — creatives including graphic artists and photographers — came together a year ago with the idea of fostering growth in the arts.

"We realized all the talent that was here, that needed to be spotlighted," she said.

The ultimate goal is for the Kauai Art Factory to have a physical space, she said, that would promote community involvement with the arts and "provide a place for people to take a class, or teach, or have a place to work on their projects."

Saturday’s show offered a rare opportunity for those on Oahu to get a glimpse of what’s happening on the Garden Isle, and set the group in overdrive.

"Each of the designers are at a different place, but they never had that experience of having a really professionally produced show," Forsberg said of having access to Oahu stylists and Wilhelmina models.

"They were able to make a lot of contacts and were really inspired."