Hawaiian Airlines ‘Upcycles’ at Honolulu Fashion Week

Hawaiian Airlines will have a unique part of its Boeing B717 aircraft featured during Honolulu Fashion Week.

When the company replaced its seats earlier this year, the carrier was left to decide what to do with the old ones. That’s where the idea was born to invite graduates of Honolulu Community College’s Fashion Technology Program and participating designers from The Cut Collective + Creative Lab’s Fashion Immersive Program to participate in Hawaiian Airlines’ “Cabin[to]Couture” project.

“I got a call from Hawaiian Airlines asking if we had any students or alumni that could do an upcycle challenge, and I thought, with what? They explained that student designers would be given first and coach class seat covers to create wearable clothing,” said Joy Nague, professor of the Fashion Technology Program at Honolulu Community College. “I accepted – our students can do anything! I’m overjoyed they’ve been given this great opportunity.”

The featured garments, featuring 19 first class and 23 main cabin seats and headrests, were used to create wearable fashion. The designs will be on display beginning Friday with the unveiling of an exhibit featuring garments and accessories made from the seat fabric.

“Fashion and design have always been deep-rooted in the Hawaiian Airlines brand,” said Alisa Onishi, director of brand management at Hawaiian Airlines. “This project allows us to give back to our local community through education in a very unique and original way.

Designers include Chai Lim, Jacky Lau, Randy Oribello, Chanterelle Chantara, Emiko Miyazawa, Jana Lam, and Lizzy Chitmitre.

Honolulu Fashion Week will run from Nov. 20 through Nov. 22 at the Hawai’i Convention Center.