An alumna from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and Kamehameha Schools Hawaiʻi showcased her designs at the New York Fashion Week — one of the most prestigious fashion events in the world. The event featured headliners such as Anna Sui and Michael Kors.
Sharayah Chun-Lai, owner of Ola Hou Designs, is the first Native Hawaiian woman to have her work featured at New York Fashion Week. The print on her apparel depicts Hawaiʻi’s native plants.
"Being able to walk out on that stage and see the audience just absolutely love it, it just made me so happy. It’s just something I never thought I could ever do or could ever dream of or imagine. Just to see that happen was unbelievable," Chun-Lai told Hawaiʻi Public Radio.
"I wanted to bring our story, my story, my family, our culture, Hawaiʻi, and just be able to showcase that on the runway and let people know about Hawaiʻi, about our culture, about these prints and their meanings, and I think we did that tonight," Chun-Lai said after her successful runway show.
Chun-Lai’s runway show featured Native Hawaiian models, hula dancers, and musicians.
