LIHUE — Madyson Palma Carmickle said she never thought she would ever wear fashion on the international level of designer Sha Ali Ahmad of Ahmad Couture.
“I never thought I would even be photographed by someone on the level of international photographer Natasha Kertes,” Palma Carmickle said. “And, a magazine cover? I never thought this was ever going to happen.”
That all changed during Kauai Fashion Weekend 2017 when Palma Carmickle was “discovered.” She ended up on the cover of a prestigious fashion magazine with a circulation surpassing 50,000 copies, and the subject of a multi-page, high-quality spread featuring the work of Kertes photographing Palma Carmickle in a variety of fashion designs at Kauai sites like the Grove Farm Homestead Museum and Kauai Coffee Company.
Kauai Film Commissioner Randy Francisco with the county’s Office of Economic Development, and Sue Kanoho, director of the Kauai Visitors Bureau, both agreed about having Kauai as a destination for more than making films.
Ali Ahmad, the co-founder of Kauai Fashion Weekend, said over the six years of KFW, there have been more than a hundred models of all ages being trained by himself and KFW committee members, including Desiree Duclayan who formerly operated a lifestyle agency.
Seated quietly among the small group of fashion designers, models, organizers, and the leaders of the Kauai Film Academy — Elliott Lucas and Edwin Sawyer — Anna Rose Chamey fiddled nervously with a KFW postcard.
“This is my first year (as a model),” Chamey said. “I thought I would try it after being asked if I would consider this. I was just shopping and someone approached me and asked.”
Ali Ahmad said he saw Chamey and had to ask help from Marynel Valenzuela, a co-founder of Kauai Fashion Weekend, in approaching Chamey.
“I’m a guy,” Ali Ahmad said. “I can’t just go up to someone, especially if she’s a girl, and ask, ‘you want to model?’ So, I need the help of Marynel and the others who make up the KFW leadership committee.”
Palma Carmickle and Chamey were among the group of people who conducted a boot camp, Friday night with the Kauai Film Academy where the overlap of fashion design and filmmaking came together with a discussion of how the different roles come together for success.
“This is all about fun, film, and fashion,” Valenzuela said. “The culmination of all the work being done by the different segments in the fashion industry comes together with the KFW Sixth Annual gala, June 23 at the Kauai Marriott Resort and Beach Club.”
Tickets for the evening of fashion are available for the three-course dinner and show, and for just the show which starts at 7:30 p.m.
Doors to the 6th Annual Kauai Fashion Weekend open at 4 p.m. with vendors offering fashion and jewelry designs, and accessories available.
The evening will feature international fashion by Ehmad Kaky of Lebanon being joined by Ali Ahmad unveiling new men’s wear along with his evening and special occasion wear.
Edgar Madama Designs and Richard Papa, both of Manila, Philippines, will have unique offerings of native handwoven fabric and contemporary ternos.
The group will be joined by local designers Desirea Aguinaldo of Gypsy Rain, Barbara Green of Definitely Baba, and a special showing by Iris Viacrucis of the Big Island.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
