Designer Sierra Dew, photographed by Andi Gaspar.

Photo by Andi Gaspar. To see more of fashion photographer Andi’s work, please go to: http://www.modelmayhem.com/lilikoiphotography

A few weeks ago, Grace Lee, anchor of “Sunrise” on Hawaii News Now, talked fashion trends with eight Fashion Forum members and me. Lee intended to use the discussions as segments of “Dressed to the 9′s” on her morning news show. However, she was offered a job in San Francisco that she couldn’t resist. She left the Islands and we just learned the segments will not air. Apparently Hawaii News Now cannot run any stories that feature Grace now that she’s gone. We’re so disappointed!

We don’t want the entire session to go to waste, so we will share those fun, and practical, trends pieces here on the blog. Fashion Photographer Andi Gaspar shot photos throughout the morning, as we were being interviewed and later with models and members posing. Sierra Dew was the first member to be interviewed but unfortunately she had to leave right after the TV interview so Andi was only able to shoot her during the interviews.

Here’s what Sierra said about her trend, which she describes as “Mixing Cultures: The Bohemian Gypsy Girl.” 

“I love this trend for Hawaii because we are such a melting pot. We already see such a mix of cultures, so I think it is easy for us to relate. I also personally relate to this trend because I am such a mix of ethnicities. I know this has been a popular trend in the past, for instance in the ’90s, but I see that it has really grown wthin the past couple of years and will stick – due to the phenomemon of globalization.”

What the trend is about: Mixing ethnic prints from around the world, such as flowing dresses and skirts, head pieces (specifically turbans), fringe, beaded details and feathers, lots of feathers.

Designers who tend toward the trend: Diane von Furstenberg, Missoni, Rodarte, Dries van Noten, the late Alexander McQueen and Ralph Lauren.

Celebrities who rock the trend: Sienna Miller, Kate Moss, Kate Hudson, Olsen Twins, Beyonce.

What would be a no-no when wearing this trend? Adding too many accessories could easily take it over the top. The challenge is to find the order in all this chaos. I think a good way to approach mixing cultures is to either start with a simple but beautiful dress and add some great accessories or start with the statement dress and add some minimal but pertinent accessories.

Sierra is a designer, of course, and she has her own individualistic style. For the photo shoot she wore a turban, a Roberta Oaks dress, and a scarf and handbag featuring designs she hand printed herself. Her feather earrings are also her own creation, as she does fabulous silver, shell and feather jewelry.

- Paula Rath

About to be on TV. Photo by Andi Gaspar.