Category: press

Frolic Hawaii: MANAOLA Fashions Go Deep

To truly understand the Hawaiian language, you must know what “kaona” is; the hidden and deeper meaning of a word or phrase. To fully appreciate Manaola fashions, understand that behind every creation, lies a story.

Hula practitioner and designer Carrington Manaola Yap, known as Manaola, debuted his latest collection at the Honolulu Design Center’s Cupola Theatre on Friday. From his handcrafted prints to his unexpected placement of cut-outs, and slim menswear silhouettes, there’s something different and special about Manaola designs.

Growing up in Kohala on Hawaii island, he immersed himself in his surroundings, culture and heritage. Manaola translates his spirituality and fascination of nature into prints that embody organic shapes and repetitious patterns from fish bones, shark teeth, eel skin and lightning.

Visit the original Frolic Hawaii article here to read the exclusive interview with Manaola and for a gallery of photos from the latest fashion show!

Pikake Pursuit: The Modern Hawaiian

We couldn’t think of anything more major than Manaola, a Hawaiian designer deeply rooted in cultural tradition, yet adapting to the changing times unlike any other local brand we know.

Pikake had the good fortune of meeting the emerging designer one year ago, and within weeks got an inside glimpse into the incredibly complex, thoughtful designs he would later debut at the MAMo Wearable Art fashion show.

Teaming up with his equally talented sister, Asialynn, the two proudly wore their favorite traditional ‘a‘ahu (garments) in vibrant shades of black and yellow as a nod to their home of Kohala, Hawai‘i before hitting the streets of downtown Honolulu for an impromptu shoot. Needless to say, they turned heads with their show-stopping looks and merged both modern and traditional Hawai‘i through the thread of culture. There is nothing we love more than a shoot like this
Starbucks in hand, Converse on high, lei hulu (feather lei) atop the head and ‘ohe kapala (carved bamboo) brushing the shoulders.

Look out for Manaola to debut their first ever womens collection next week at HALE KUA in Hilo at the 52st annual Merrie Monarch Festival and in the meantime, shop their online store to purchase their home, accessories and mens collections!

Visit the original article at http://www.pikakepursuit.com/blog/2015/4/1/the-modern-hawaiian

‘ƌiwi Tv: Hula Kia’i Mauna

Merrie Monarch week brings artists from all over Hawaiʻi to share their beautiful creations. Hawaiʻi Island’s own Manaola, shared new fashions but also an aloha for home.

“For me, I find my inspiration from here, on Hawaiʻi Island because it’s my home.” says Manaola.

Manaola, as a hula practitioner, also draws inspiration for hula from this special place.

“So we thought it appropriate to perform. Our first opening piece that we did was pertaining to the mauna. Especially because of what’s going on right now with the “kĆ« kiaÊ»i mauna”
. Showing our support in a different way, although we can’t be on the mauna, we chose to do it in a way that we know how. And that’s through the hula.” says Manaola.

“Our hula is a way to stand and support the efforts. It’s a way to raise awareness about our beloved mountain.” says Nāmakana Davis-Lim.

Other hula practitioners in Hilo for Merrie Monarch made their way up to Maunakea to share this similar sense of aloha.

“Maunakea is the piko for our island of Hawaiʻi and we can all play a part in various ways to mālama aku.” says Nāmakana.

The original post can be seen here with video of the event.