Passion for Fashion at Capitol Modern

Fashion returns to Capitol Modern with two local brands, Heavenly and Crystal Rose Label. They’ll be unveiling their new collections with a refreshing runway fashion show. Both founders are dedicated to slow fashion, and you’ll get to experience first hand their latest creations come to life.

Crystal Lee has always been mindful of her choices in what she wore, even from a young age. Her mother taught her how to sew her own clothes and where others saw old, tired garments, she saw exciting possibilities for reimagined styles. After studying fashion design at UH Manoa and being in the industry for 10 years, she created Crystal Rose Label. She describes it as a one-woman company “where she designs, cuts, sews, and packages everything at her in-home studio.” With an emphasis on handmade personal touches, she uses her craftsmanship to create one-of-a-kind works of wearable art.

Photos: Courtesy of Crystal Rose Label

On First Friday, she will be presenting her new collection “Beyond the Frame: Visions in Thread.” Using her chosen mediums of fabric and thread, she creates unconventional looks with ethereal vibes. “By transforming discarded and forgotten materials into unique designs, this collection celebrates the beauty of imperfection and the power and warmth of handcrafted artistry.”

Photos: Courtesy of Heavenly

Since 2016, Heavenly’s founder and designer Mapis Bernal has been on a mission to have people embrace slow fashion through her brand. Conscious of fast fashion’s negative impacts, each item of clothing made for Heavenly is carefully designed to connect the wearer with its core values of sustainability.

Originally from Bogota, Columbia, Bernal takes inspiration from her indigenous ancestors’ relationship with nature. With that in mind, she has dedicated her brand to generations of the future. Heavenly aims to “design and produce works that revolve around local and sustainable resources.” The brand also “emphasizes quality and longevity of a piece rather than mass production that exploits both the people and the Earth’s resources and environment.”

Photo: Courtesy of Heavenly

Heavenly’s latest collection “Ripple Realms” invites you to explore “a whimsical portal inspired by the enchanting elements of nudibranchs, ripples, distortion, optical illusions, perspective, delicacy, whimsy, magic and sustainability.” Bernal artfully combines all of these ideas to create clothing that challenges notions of what slow fashion may look like. She has a very catchy declaration: “Alchemy of slow fashion: turning tragic into magic.”

Photo: Courtesy of Capitol Modern

In addition to the fashion show, Capitol Modern will feature live performances by homegrown musical guests in the Sculpture Garden. Max High will take you on an electric dream with his original synthesizer-based compositions. R&B and soul singer-songwriter Alecia Kanamu will be sharing her graceful, tender songs, and Izik will make your heart skip a beat with his luscious vocals.

Photo: Courtesy of Capitol Modern

Also joining the event will be Hawai‘i’s favorite urban market Art + Flea, with independent creatives selling a wide range of specialty products. Get a head start on your holiday shopping and help support small local business owners to continue doing what they love.

First Friday, Nov. 1, 5–9 p.m., free admission, Capitol Modern, 250 S. Hotel St., capitolmodern.org, @capitolmodern

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Lisa Shiroma is a correspondent for Capitol Modern and an artist. She is the former owner of the Capitol Modern Museum Gallery Shop, which she ran with partners Aly Ishikuni and Travis Sasaki from Mori by Art + Flea.