3 days ago
Capitol Modern exhibits fashion from inaugural MOD Gala
HONOLULU (KHON2) — Hawaiʻi had its own version of the Met Gala following Capital Modern's first-ever MOD Gala.
The signature fundraiser captured everything fashion, from looking at pictures, sharing stories and experiencing the art exhibit, which will live on through the middle of June.
Koloikeao Anthony's 'Kū'ena'ena' watches over Kapiʻolani Park
To find out more about that, we are here with the President of the Friends of Capitol Modern, Jonathan Johnson.
What was so significant about this MOD Gala and how successful to you was it?
'MOD Gala was the inaugural fundraiser for the Friends of Capitol Modern so we celebrated fashion and food, actually indigenous food and artists, and gave them the them of Botanical Rhapsody: A Floral Odyssey,' said Johnson.
And does that mean, Botanical Rhapsody?
'That is what we look to all of the artists to tell us and to show through their work what that meant, so we kind of left it wide open,' says Johnson.
There were 8 that were part of the fashion part, but again, there were also music and food and other expressions of art.
We are here with Amos Kotomori who has created some amazing pieces.
'Thank you very much for being here and helping promote the arts. I can't imagine Hawaiʻi without any of the arts and it was an opportunity for eight artists and designers to express themselves and each of us had our own story,' said Kotomori.
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'So, like this outfit here is really, I entitled it 'Paradise Chained.' It is made out of chains and rhinestones and the flowers were made in Bali and it was traditionally used for weddings, for uniting. And so what happened was that the question I asked was 'what did we do to sell paradise? What have we done?' So, this was the hula skirt,' said Kotomori.
For you as an artist, I am really interested in hearing each artist's opinion and answer to where do you get your inspiration and how do you even come up with these types of concepts?
'Inspiration comes in so many forms,' said Kotomori.
'For me, sometimes it's food, it's the people. I am looking at a puddle and there is an oil spill on it. But this one is about kanzashi and it's about the flowers that fall to the ground and how the petals have their moment of beauty and they fall. But they still survive and the feathers is about taking flight. The piece under, I actually hand-sew it all and so it was fun to do.'
This will be taking us through the middle of June, but Jonathan, you have a nice surprise to share?
'We do. If you missed this MOD Gala, mark your calendar for May 2, 2026, and we will be announcing the next theme in July,' said Johnson.
Check out more news from around Hawaii
The Botanical Rhapsody: A Floral Odyssey Exhibit will be open through June 21.
For all the information about Capitol Modern and this exhibit, click here.
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