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Liko Fukumoto

“LikoLove” / Model: Sierra “Kamalani” Pico

Fukumoto, who practices judo and took up wrestling at Moanalua High School, is a combination of beauty and classic tomboy. She had originally planned to take auto repair classes at HCC, but when her parents weren’t thrilled, she found her way into the fashion program, where she embraced the yin-yang aspect of her personality to liberate women who feel confined by society’s expectations of perfection.

Her multifunctional pieces start with swimsuits, for an active, outdoorsy life, that can be dressed up for an evening out.

“There’s a lot of work involved in being so put together all the time,” she said. “I feel like girls need an outlet to be the tomboy once in a while because it’s cute if you’re messy sometimes. I think girls should be able to wrestle and kick butt, and look cute doing it.”

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Samara Keuma

“Electric Siren” / Model: Chavis Wilkins

Keuma’s life outside of fashion revolves around music and music festivals. Taking inspiration from the Electric Daisy Carnival and Paradiso Festival, she’s created swimsuit-inspired apparel that keeps festival revelers cool while they dance into the wee hours which, she says, “is very therapeutic for me.”

Electric blues and a touch of sparkle and shine reflect an equal obsession with the ocean and mermaids. “I love the ocean, I love to swim, I love to be at the beach all the time,” Keuma said.

She’s already making plans to wear some of her garments to the next Electric Daisy Carnival at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in June.

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Hilda Howell

“Artemis” / Model: Tara Grace

Howell took inspiration from the Greek goddess of the moon and the hunt to create a collection that is both strong and feminine. Her design aesthetic also grew out of her love of stretch-knit fabrics that glide over the body, delivering a combination of fit and flow.

“I’ve been dancing since I was a child, so I love movement, things that are fluid and elegant,” she said. “Some of the designs are made for dancing, with flowy circular ruffles and mermaid silhouettes.

“When I looked at everything together, it reminded me of a fierce Greek goddess who could be strong but still look sexy on the hunt.”

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Edmar Villa

“Fleur Connections” / Model: Taylor Labanon

Villa grew up in the Philippines where, even as a child, he knew he wanted to be a designer.

“Pageants are a big thing, so I had fantasies of making ballgowns,” he said. But a decade later, with his taste more refined, out came the sparkles and in came menswear details to define his women’s wear collection.

Nevertheless, some childhood memories stuck.

“I remember playing in the grass near bamboo and flowers, and being so close to nature. And here I don’t see it.”

He went online shopping at Mood, the New York dry goods store featured in “Project Runway,” and found a gray-and-white floral print with spots of color that now grace pants, tops and kimono-style jackets.

Why didn’t the “Project Runway” designers use fabric this beautiful?

“I bought all of it,” Villa said.

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Rose Saludares

“Stained Glass” / Model: Alli Oshida

Saludares entered the fashion program with the aim of creating casual wear, but after taking a course in swimwear, she fell in love with the fabric and fit and now focuses solely on designing for the beach life.

Her designs feature high-cut legs to create the illusion of length, and details that allow the pieces to transition to the street when worn like a bodysuit.

The irony isn’t lost on her. “I used to go to the beach, but I don’t have time anymore. I’m too busy sewing.”

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Dinah Swords

“Love Today” / Model: Cassie Hedrick

With a love of country and prairie looks, bluegrass and folk music, and vintage Americana, Swords celebrates retro feminine looks with a collection of dresses and tops inspired by small-town diners and cafes, thrift shops and bookstores.

Soft cream and peach colors deliver a sense of innocence that is missing on big-city streets, and though they are inspired in part by little old ladies, the designs manage to look fresh, young and flirty.

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Lory Wong

“Flux” / Model: Katrina Ildefonso (Left)

Social media has given everyone access to the inner lives of celebrities and CEOs, and it’s those young, stylish female business executives who inspired Wong’s collection. She created her line to appeal to the successful entrepreneur who knows how to be a professional in business dealings “but knows how to have a good time, too.”

Working with edgy, minimalist designs in black, she delivers a pop of royal blue for separates that would work well with pieces women already have in their closets. Reflecting her belief that less is more, her designs have a timeless quality that will make them mainstays, even as the rest of fashion remains in flux.

Kimberly Kaai

“Blanc” / Model: Elisabeth Umeda (Right)

Kaai is a fan of the carefree bohemian look, which she interpreted for resort wear and Hawaii’s warm weather by creating designs reminiscent of the Jesse Romper, and separates in clean cool whites. Her pieces allow for easy mixing and matching, making it a breeze to pack up and go anywhere.

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Jessica Nguyen

“Adrenaline” / Model: Kaylen Myhre

Nguyen identifies with athletes and the hard work and determination they bring to their sport. She wants to bring the same energy to her sportswear and athleisure apparel.

She still brings feminine touches to her designs, such as heart cutouts on cropped tops. Pieces can also be mixed and matched with streetwear.

Nguyen has her sights set on a career like that of her role model, Blogilates.com’s Cassey Ho, a Pilates instructor who started a successful YouTube channel, lifestyle website and clothing line.

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Ashley Kaminaga

“Blush” / Model: Carly Ogilvie

In Kaminaga’s eyes, glamour shouldn’t be restricted to evening wear or red carpets, and she strives to bring more stardust to women’s everyday lives at affordable prices.

Not one to shy away from risk, she’s taking a chance that other women want to break from the mold in daytime separates and pink dresses in sheer and silk fabrics.

And, for those who don’t have time in the morning to think about jewelry, she’s stringing sparkling beads and stones that work as necklaces or as skirt overlays.