As part of KBFD's 20th anniversary benefit for the University of Hawai'i-Manoa's College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources apparel product design and merchandising program, Kim will hold a fashion show Feb. 15 at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Coral Ballroom.

KBFD and Kim are recruiting celebrities to model for the show. There are several possibilities, but because of the holidays and actors' busy production schedules, we are not yet able to confirm names — but Kim has never disappointed a crowd. He puts great emphasis on using professional actors as models, often handpicking top Korean drama and movie actors. He also selects the music for his fashion shows because he believes fashion is a comprehensive art. A successful fashion show can be achieved only when fashion, music and models come together in unison.

This isn't Kim's first Honolulu appearance — over the past 25 years, he has done several fashion shows here to benefit charity organizations. He has also put on benefit shows in Paris, Shanghai, Italy, Egypt and Japan for groups such as UNICEF and Children with AIDS.

Last week, Kim unveiled the 2006 Andre Kim Fashion Art Collection for Fall and Winter, with all proceeds going to the South Korean branch of UNICEF. His star model was Lee Young-ae, who starred in the period Korean drama hit "Jewel In The Palace" (aka "Dae Jang Geum") as well as "Sympathy For Lady Vengeance," a winner at this year's Venice Film Festival. The top male model was Kim Rae-won, who appeared in the Korean drama "Rooftop Romance," and the movie "ING."

Born into a farming family, Kim faced many challenges pursuing a fashion career. He founded Salon Andre Kim in 1962, becoming Korea's first male fashion designer. Today, he's a household name. Other notches in his stylish belt: chief designer of the 1981 Miss Universe beauty pageant, UNICEF goodwill ambassador in 2003, Italy's Cultural Merit Award. In 1997, he received South Korea's Presidential Culture and Art Medal.

I had the privilege of meeting Kim in 1989, and again in October while attending the Pusan International Film Festival, which gave Kim an award for his contribution to Korean cinema.

At the opening-night reception, I told him that I'm now chairman of the board for the Hawaii International Film Festival. He was so proud of my Korean heritage that he took me through the room introducing me to all the delegates.

I met so many Korean drama and cinema stars that I couldn't tell you all their names — unlike Kim. His incredible memory amazes me. As he spoke with delegates at the film festival, he reeled off the names of their children — not to mention their ages, schools and majors.

Kim also will put on a private fashion show Feb. 14 at the SBS LPGA Open. For more information on the benefit show, write to events@ctahr.hawaii.edu or call Merrissa Uchimura at 956-6016.