New Exhibit Celebrating Aloha Wear Opens at the Honolulu Museum of Art
View 53 garments of aloha wear at "Fashioning Aloha," an exhibit that highlights how the designs we see today are influenced by a mix of Hawai‘i’s culture and history.
Aloha wear has long been a symbol of Hawai‘i’s cultural heritage and the upcoming exhibit “Fashioning Aloha” at the Honolulu Museum of Art (HoMA), opening on April 12, takes viewers on a deep dive through nearly 90 years of aloha wear, showcasing 53 garments including holoku, mu‘umu‘u, holomu‘u and aloha shirts.
The exhibit takes the time to walk viewers through a vivid timeline, following aloha wear evolution like the popularity of the aloha shirt, the impacts of the Merrie Monarch Festival and the renaissance of aloha wear with songs like “Aloha Friday” by Kimo Kahoano and Paul Natto, and the Aloha Friday concept at work.
Photo: Courtesy of the Honolulu Museum of Art
A highlight of the exhibit is how it showcases the diversity and inspiration of design motifs in these beloved garments. For example, you’ll notice garments are placed alongside their textile motifs’ source materials from the museum’s textile collection. You’ll find Japanese woodblock prints, a stone poi pounder, jewelry and perfume bottles with floral designs paired next to aloha wear that showcase those same motifs.
“We also looked at the motifs of history, music and location—for example, early aloha shirts were sort of a visible and wearable post card. It would have landmarks on it, like a coded language of where you’re from and where you are represented,” says Tory Laitila, curator of textiles and historic arts of Hawai‘i at HoMA. “You can even find maps on the shirts—Sig Zane is a well-known designer who uses map motifs.”
Photo: Courtesy of the Honolulu Museum of Art
The exhibit has interactive elements, including a design studio where visitors can use stencils and draw them on paper to create their own aloha wear motifs. A slideshow will display personal stories and photographs sent in from residents that showcase themselves, family and friends in aloha wear fashions, dating from 1935 to present, highlight the impact of aloha wear on the community. In another gallery, there will be a video compilation of aloha wear, contrasting contemporary designers with historic footage.
Laitila believes the exciting revival of aloha wear that we see today can be partially credited to renewed interest in sustainability.
“There’s been an increased interest in vintage clothing, especially for women’s dresses. Some garments, when taken care of, can have a very long lifespan and can be passed down through generations,” Laitila says.
Another common appeal is that there are aloha wear designers who only make a limited quantity of clothes. “You can now get something that is individual and unique,” he adds. “You can even go to some local designers and have something made to order. Aloha wear is very individual.”
Laitila hopes that when people visit the exhibit, they might see something that they recognize in their closet.
“I hope that it also makes people conscious of those aloha wear pieces and think, ‘What does my clothing say about me?’”
“Fashioning Aloha”
When: Friday, April 12 to Sunday, Sept. 1, 2024
Where: Honolulu Museum of Art, 900 S Beretania St., Honolulu
Admission: Exhibit is included with general admission: $20 for adults, $10 for Hawaiʻi residents, free for members and ages 18 and younger.
honolulumuseum.org
