HONOLULU – A dress designed by a โrecentโ University of Hawaiสปi at Mฤnoa fashion graduate debuted in a photoshoot for A Book Of magazine featuring Te โคAo o Hinepehinga,the โactress who plays Kupuohi in the Apple TV+ series Chief of War.โ The original garment, inspired by natural decay โคand regrowth, was hand-painted by Kalia Ferriโ and perfectly complemented the lava-inspired aesthetic of the shoot.
Ferri,โฃ a graduate of the College of โTropical Agriculture โขand Human Resources’ (CTAHR) Fashion Design โand Merchandising (FDM) program, secured the placement through UH alumnus Matt Bruening, who invited her to assist with styling and press shoots for the Chief of War premiere. Her design-a dress featuring a painted orange and red cut-out evoking shelf mushrooms-was initially showcased in FDM’s spring 2025 fashion exhibition. โฃ
“I learned a lot from my fashionโค professor Minako McCarthy, who taught my design classes and encouraged โmy painting,” Ferri said. “And I thank my other teachers in courses for sewing,fashion forecasting,trend analysis and the business side of fashion.”
The โopportunity marks a important early success for Ferri, whoโ is relocating to New York City to pursue her โfashion career. The FDM program โขprovides a comprehensive skillset, encompassing design, technical skills, and business acumen, preparingโ graduates for theโ competitive fashion industry.
