Wrapping Up Hawaii’s Fashion Month

That’s a wrap for Hawaii’s first-ever Fashion Month, and it ended with special awards in retail, design, beauty, styling and photography.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie handed out these fashion awards to very well-deserving designers and fashionistas. The coolest part was that these very same awards were last given more than a decade ago, and after a month-long celebration of Hawaii fashion, the islands had successfully been showcased as an international fashion destination.

While the governor has said numerous times that Hawaii’s fashion industry has the potential to become a billion-dollar industry, many local businesses are still stoking on the achievements right in front of them, like more public recognition and, of course, the Governor’s Awards.

Here’s a quick breakdown of some of the award recipients for the 2013 Hawaii Fashion Month:

• Best Contemporary Designer:

  Andy South, owner of Andy South Atelier and “Project Runway” contestant

• Formal Designer Award:

  Anne Namba Designs, specializing in exotic Asian silks

• Established Designer of the Year:

  Fighting Eel, trendy Hawaii boutique

• Emerging Designer of the Year:

  Coadorable, children’s clothing designer