Fashion Meets Art
SANDRA BLAZEL
“I have always felt that the ultimate fashion is art,” says Robert Siegel, owner of Waikiki’s Luxury Row—that stretch of Kalakaua Avenue that is home to high-end stores including Chanel and Gucci.
“I also noticed that a lot of artists may not get too involved in the fashion world and vice versa,” Siegel adds.
For Siegel, whose father and grandfather were both artists, bridging the gap between these two worlds was an appealing concept.
AMBER AGUIRRE
In order to create a space where fashion could meet art, he created Hawaii’s Modern Masters, an annual celebration of the arts at Luxury Row, sponsored in partnership with Cedar Street Galleries. Focusing particularly on local works, the event provides a platform where Hawai’i-based artists are introduced to the worldwide audiences that visit Waikiki.
This year’s event kicks off with an opening reception from 6 to 8 p.m. on Nov. 7. Guests can enjoy cocktails, view the artwork and mingle with the artists. The exhibit will be on view from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. through Dec. 1. Participating stores include Coach, Chanel, Gucci, Tod’s, and Hugo Boss—all of which will be displaying a variety of artwork from ceramics and glasswork to acrylic painting and photography.
“We try to mix it every year to have some [artists] that are renowned, but also making sure to include lesser known [artists] so that they get exposure,” Siegel says.
In addition, each year, Luxury Row makes a donation to Honolulu Museum of Art’s Art to Go program, which brings art instruction and supplies to at-risk youths.
“We are really trying to open a world of possibilities to benefit the viewer, the artist and the youths,” Siegel says.
Hawaii’s Modern Masters
Luxury Row
2100 Kalakaua Ave. [B:6 Waikiki Map]
(808) 922-2246
www.luxuryrow.com
