VNR: Muʻumuʻu Month: Waipahu students curate UH fashion exhibit

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Link to video and sound (details below): https://spaces.hightail.com/receive/1XYaPAqN7C

***VOSOT script below for consideration***

To celebrate Muʻumuʻu Month in January, the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa's program in Fashion Design and Merchandising (FDM) has a special exhibition of vintage muʻumuʻu, chosen by nearly 30 Waipahu High School students who could be the future of Hawaiʻi's fashion industry.

Housed within the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience (CTAHR), FDM combines Hawaiʻi's culture and agricultural heritage with modern design. By inviting teens into the Historic Fashion Collection, CTAHR is introducing young people to potential career paths ranging from designing to entrepreneurship and retail buying to sustainable fashion.

"It is our kuleana to help students succeed and find what they want to do in life," said Andy Reilly, professor and curator of fashion design and merchandising. "We do this through the lens of fashion. Fashion starts with 'dirt to shirt' - from the people growing cotton to those developing new textiles from coffee beans. We want students to see that fashion isn't just about what you wear. It's about culture, history, and business."

Waipahu High School fine arts teacher Alice Iraha said, "I want to expose them to the history of our state and our fashion here in Hawaiʻi. When you live here, it's good to know the culture of the people and where they came from. The process of learning the fashion industry can help them into so many other areas, like art or starting their own business."

From textiles to high tech

In addition to curating the Historic Fashion Collection, the students were introduced to Computer-Aided Design for fashion by Ju-Young Kang, an associate professor in FDM. This technology allows designers to create digital sketches, develop intricate textile patterns, and visualize 3D garments before a single piece of fabric is cut.

Muʻumuʻu Month, which began in 2014 when Kauaʻi designer Shannon Hiramoto challenged herself to wear a different vintage muʻumuʻu every day in January, has grown into a statewide movement to preserve the history of the garment.

The student-curated collection will be on display in Miller Hall at UH Mānoa throughout January. This collaboration highlights CTAHR's commitment to honoring Hawaiʻi's past while providing local students with the tools to build its future.

B-ROLL:

• :00-:30 - Waipahu High School students choosing garments for muʻumuʻu month
• :31-1:09 - Waipahu High School students being introduced to Computer-Aided Design

SOUNDBITES:

Andy Reilly, UH Mānoa Fashion Design and Merchandising professor (11 seconds)

"I want students to understand how clothing impacts their lives. Clothing represents who they are. Their identity, their culture and their history. And I want them to start to think about how their use of clothing can benefit others or tell a story about themselves."

Alice Iraha, Waipahu High School fine arts teacher (12 seconds)

"I wanted to expose them to the culture and the costumes that we wore here in Hawaiʻi."

***Suggested VOSOT script***

15-Second VO Script

(Graphics: Video of Waipahu students looking at vintage muʻumuʻu)

January is Muʻumuʻu Month, and students from Waipahu High School are bringing the tradition to life at UH Mānoa. Nearly thirty students curated a special exhibition of vintage muʻumuʻu from the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience. You can see their work on display at Miller Hall throughout the month.

30-second VO

(Graphics: Video of students browsing the Historic Fashion Collection)
It is Muʻumuʻu Month in Hawaii, and some local high schoolers are getting a hands-on lesson in fashion history. Nearly thirty students from Waipahu High School visited UH Mānoa to curate an exhibition of vintage garments housed at the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience.

(Graphics: Video of students using Computer-Aided Design software)
The program brings together culture and high-tech, introducing the teens to digital garment design and potential careers in the fashion industry.

(Graphics: Close-up of vintage muʻumuʻu on display)
The student-curated collection is part of a statewide movement to preserve the history of the muʻumuʻu. You can check out the display at Miller Hall on the UH Mānoa campus all through January

PHOTO CAPTION AND CREDIT*

(LEFT TO RIGHT)

1990s black muʻumuʻu with screen-printed pheasant and bamboo. Made in Hawaiʻi, no brand label.

1980s Mamo muʻumuʻu sold at Carol & Mary featuring Hawaiian quilt designs.

2000s muʻumuʻu from Hilo Hattie featuring kapa-like print of honu turtle, hibiscus, and monstera leaves.

1980s pink muʻumuʻu with leaves and white yoke. Made in Hawaiʻi, no brand label.