Nakeʻu Awai Designs was thrilled to be a part of an unforgettable night at the Honolulu Night Market Mahina Māhealani hosted by Our Kakaʻako!
The pop-up booth in the The Barn at SALT at Our Kakaʻako was abuzz with people of all ages shopping featured designs from the Spring 2023 Microcollection, as well as vintage pieces from Destash Hawaiʻi.
]]>The pop-up booth in the The Barn at SALT at Our Kakaʻako was abuzz with people of all ages shopping featured designs from the Spring 2023 Microcollection, as well as vintage pieces from Destash Hawaiʻi.
The highlight of the night was an exciting cultural and musical performance and fashion show by Nakeʻu Awai's close friends:
Check out our gallery of snapshots below from such vibrant filled with community spirit.
Missed the chance to shop the Spring 2023 Microcollection? Shop the Newest Releases Now>
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In the feature, “Nakeʻu Awai is the grandfather of Hawaiian fashion”, Nakeʻu, met with Howard Dashefsky to talk about the history of his iconic designs, his passion for keeping things local, his secret to success, and the importance of creating a legacy.
]]>Nakeʻu Awai Designs is honored to be highlighted by KHON2 in its Business Matters news segment.
In the feature, “Nakeʻu Awai is the grandfather of Hawaiian fashion”, Nakeʻu, met with Howard Dashefsky to talk about the history of his iconic designs, his passion for keeping things local, his secret to success, and the importance of creating a legacy.
Watch the video above or visit KHON2 to see the full article >
Shop our latest denim garments under our new Gold Label Collection
]]>Mahealani Richardson visited Nakeʻu in his Kalihi shop where she talked with him about her own history with the brand, the origins of some of his prints, and how 50 years later, the ‘grandfather of Hawaii fashion’s’ designs remain classic mainstays in the community. Also, enjoy a quick ‘catwalk’ of Mahealani in Nakeʻu Awai Designs’ popular romper.
See the coverage on Hawai‘i News Now
To commemorate its 50th Anniversary, Nakeʻu Awai Designs is excited to introduce Nakeʻu Awai Designs Gold Label.
Gold Label pieces are designed in Hawaiʻi and produced in Los Angeles, California, bringing consumers additional styles that add to its signature Aloha Wear collection.
“Nake‘u’s dream is to further expand Hawai‘i’s garment manufacturing infrastructure and capabilities,” says Keane Akao, Chief Operating Officer at Nakeʻu Awai Designs. “Until then, Gold Label allows us to push the boundaries of our designs, expand our offerings, and broaden our connections with manufacturers and vendors.”
Nakeʻu Awai Designs is partnering with Robert Kaufman Fabrics in its release of the first Gold Label pieces: women’s midrise jeans featuring two iconic prints:
Nakeʻu Awai Designs signature Aloha Wear collection will continue to be designed and manufactured locally, continuing its investment in Hawai‘i-based manufacturing.
]]>Nakeʻu Awai Designs is honored to be featured in Honolulu Magazine’s coverage of the recent Mu‘u at the Museum event held on January 7, 2023, at the Queen Emma Summer Palace. Honolulu Magazine began as Paradise of the Pacific, a magazine commissioned under King David Kalākaua to promote local business and tourism in the continental United States.
The article called “Gorgeous Mu‘umu‘u Worn at Mu‘u at the Museum 2023” speaks to the founding of Mu‘umu‘u Month in 2014 and Oʻahu’s biggest event hosted by the nonprofit Daughters of Hawaiʻi, Mu‘u at the Museum. Nakeʻu Awai Designs was featured as part of this year’s festivities.
The article has a wonderful gallery encapsulating images of new and vintage muʻumuʻu from local and Hawaiian designers, including many from Nakeʻu Awai Designs.
See the article, Gorgeous Mu‘umu‘u Worn at Mu‘u at the Museum 2023, on HonoluluMagazine.com
]]>To start its historical 50th year off strong, and to honor Queen Emma’s 187th birthday, Nakeʻu Awai Designs joined the Daughters of Hawaiʻi in celebrating Muʻumuʻu Month with its 2nd Annual Muʻu at the Museum by putting on a Fashion Show on January 7, 2023.
Held at Hānaiakamalama – the Queen Emma Summer Palace – the fundraiser paid homage to Queen Emma’s love for horseback riding and her renowned equestrian skills as a wahine holo lio, with the theme “Pā‘ū & Paniolo” with proceeds going to support the historic preservation, maintenance, and operations of the Palace and grounds.
Inspired by this theme, Nakeʻu Awai Designs brought together hula dancers of all ages from Hālau Hula Ka Lehua Tuahine to help tell the story of Nake‘u Awai Designs through dance and fashion. Several pieces featured in the fashion show were from the brand’s permanent archives.
The event also brought together Hawaiian artisans and designers in a marketplace where vendors and attendees shopped and bonded, sharing in their love of muʻumuʻu and the stories behind them.
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Nakeʻu Awai Designs is turning 50 in 2023.
To kick off its historic Golden Anniversary year, the brand has collaborated with Aloha Collection, a company founded by two Native Hawaiian women, to create the 50th Anniversary Collaboration Aloha Collection Day Tripper.
]]>Nakeʻu Awai Designs is turning 50 in 2023.
To kick off its historic Golden Anniversary year, the brand has collaborated with Aloha Collection, a company founded by two Native Hawaiian women, to create the 50th Anniversary Collaboration Aloha Collection Day Tripper.
The 50th Anniversary Collaboration Aloha Collection Day Tripper bag, a light, water-resistant tote that is perfect for the person on the move, will be available in time for the holidays, and available for purchase at Hoʻomau Hawaiʻi Market on Saturday, December 10, and Sunday, December 11 at the Hawaiʻi Convention Center, and then available online beginning Monday, December 12.
Quantities are limited to two per person.
Help us celebrate our golden anniversary with our 50th Anniversary Collaboration Aloha Collection Day Tripper bag, a light, water-resistant tote that is perfect for the person on the move.
Our Niʻihau Shell print is a metaphor for Nakeʻu Awai Designs’ 50-year journey.
Like the single, tiny Niʻihau shell found among the sands being strung together by cultural artisans into magnificent works of art, we’ve had the honor of paving the way for Native Hawaiian fashion designers as the first in our industry.
To kick off our 50th anniversary year, we have collaborated with Aloha Collection, a company founded by two Native Hawaiian women, to create this 50th Anniversary Collaboration Aloha Collection Day Tripper.
Our 50th Anniversary Collaboration Aloha Collection Day Tripper is only available in our Niʻihau Shell print in metallic gold on white to represent our historic Golden Anniversary.
The 2022 Fall & Holiday Collection features a selection of iconic prints originating across the decades printed on 100% cotton.
Featured Prints:
These prints are available as men’s pull-over aloha shirts and women’s dresses, including a collaboration with well-known Hawaiʻi muʻumuʻu designer Bete Inc. For the first time, there is also Niʻihau shell jewelry along with other beautiful accessories.
Just in time for the heat of summer, the Summer Collection features a selection of fans’ favorite prints from across the decades printed on an exquisite machine washable linen cotton blend, as well as exclusive accessory collaborations in the following prints:
Along with men’s pull-over aloha shirts, and women’s dresses, the collection also showcases a collaboration with well-known Hawaiʻi mu‘umu‘u designer Bete Inc.
Shop the 2022 Summer Collection >
Nakeʻu Awai Designs is honored to be featured in the September/October 2022 issue of Modern Luxury Hawaiʻi, a bilingual, bi-monthly magazine dedicated to Hawaiʻi events, style, fine dining, and culture.
In the article called “Catch Up With the Iconic Hawaiian Print Master”, Nakeʻu Awai talks about his inspirations, the brand’s most popular prints in the 2022 Fall & Holiday Collection, and what he hopes for the future of Hawaiian fashion.
“I can only hope that the future brings continued success, exposure, and awareness about Hawaiian designers, the rich culture, stories, and spirit they represent”, Awai says.
See the bilingual article in Modern Luxury Hawai'i's digital edition archive
See an English-only version of the article on the Modern Luxury Hawai'i website
]]>With a limited release available on its newly designed website, and in-person at The 59th Annual Merrie Monarch Festival craft fair from April 20 to April 23, the collection of men’s and women’s attire and accessories includes detailed prints of:
• ʻUlu (breadfruit)
• ʻIlima
• ʻIwaʻiwa Maiden Hair Fern
• Gardenia
• Mokihana Maile
Along with men’s pull-over aloha shirts, and women’s dresses, the collection also showcases a collaboration with well-known Hawaiʻi mu‘umu‘u designer Bete Inc. and debuts an assortment of handwoven lauhala purses and clutches lined in the season’s exclusive prints.
Shop the 2022 Spring Collection >
Shot at the Queen Emma Summer Palace.
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