The past five years have seen a tsunami in Island fashion as new designers stretch their skills and retailers take a fresh approach.

Much is due to young fashionistas returning from Mainland schools and jobs seeking to make their way in fashion here. Three women at the epicenter are Marla Musick of the Hawai'i Arts Alliance, fashion designer Toby Portner and Melissa May White, freelance fashion writer.

Together they are forming the Hawaii Fashion Incubator, designed to raise the profile of fashion as art and industry in Hawai'i. The first Incubator meeting is tonight (see box above).

Industry professionals will offer their take on fashion in Hawai'i: University of Hawai'i costume curator Carol D'Angelo, Blue Buddha's Budi Staven, Urban Pacific organizer Lacy Matsumoto, 2Couture's Eric Eugene Kamakahia'ai Chandler and The Advertiser's Paula Rath.

Reach Paula Rath at paularath@aol.com.