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four people and Cabin2Couture clothes
Joy Nagaue, Honolulu Community College professor of the fashion technology with Cabin2Couture designers, from left, Randy Oribello, Chai Lim and Jacky Lau.

When Hawaiian Airlines rejuvenated the interiors of their Boeing 717 aircraft with a new retrofit design the airlines came up with a creative way to repurpose their seat material.

“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?” shares Joy Nagaue, Honolulu Community College professor of the fashion technology program and the 2014 Hawaiʻi Governor’s Fashion Award recipient. “They proceeded to explain that student designers would be given first and coach class seat covers to create wearable clothing. I accepted. Our students can do anything.”

Three Honolulu CC alumni were hand selected by Nagaue to take on the Cabin2Couture challenge—Jacky Lau, Chai Lim and Randy Oribello.

The Project Runway-esque challenge recalls the success of some of the schools other notable alums.

Cabin2Couture: From Hawaiian Airlines seat cover to stylish men’s jacket

Going from Cabin2Couture

Jacky Lau

A 2013 graduate of the program, Jacky Lau designed a futuristic men’s coat for Hawaiian Airlines. “I’ve been intrigued with design due to my interest in Cosplay. My senior fashion line while at Honolulu CC was men’s wear that featured clean lines yet had a modern edge.” For Lau, coming back to design for this challenge was a welcomed opportunity. “It’s nice to come back to the lab and work along side Randy and Chai.”

Chai Lim

Chai Lim graduated from the fashion technology program in 2013 and currently works at Tori Richards as a pattern technician. “I’ve always loved design and sought out a program that would fulfill that passion. I called Ms. Joy and she showed me around the fashion lab and talked to me about the program and the rest is history.” For Lim this Hawaiian Airlines project is his way of giving back to the community and the program that helped him live out his passion.

Randy Oribello

“I’ve already broken five needles!” laughs Randy Oribello, a Waiphau native who graduated from the fashion technology program in 2014, as he describes working with the seat covers. “I got the call from Ms. Joy and it’s been about two weeks since accepting the challenge. I’ve had a blast. Coming back to work in the lab at Honolulu CC is like coming back home.” Since 2011, Oribello has been working at the Disney Aulani Resort as a tailor in their costume department.

Lau, Lim and Oribello will showcase their wearable Hawaiian Airlines Cabin2Couture designs during HONOLULU Fashion Week presented by Hawaiian Airlines November 20–22 at the Hawaiʻi Convention Center.

Cabin2Couture designs

See more of their designs at Honolulu CC’s Flickr gallery

Read the full story at Honolulu CC’s The Water Cooler.

—By Billie Lueder

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