Sierra Dew: Meaning Through Art

courtesy sierra dew

"With anything new

I always look back to my original goals of
creating with meaning and intention."

by Maria Kanai

Ever stop on your way to class to admire the clothes and jewelry sold in the vendors at the Campus Center? Although it's easy to join the massive lunch rush (especially with the construction bottling us students through), definitely keep a look out for Sierra Dew.

She occasionally can be found near Jamba Juice, sporting a playful fedora and modeling her own signature leggings and tunic outfit. Local boutiques have been known to come to UH Manoa to sell designs at an affordable, college-friendly price, and Sierra's unique line of Hawaii-inspired accessories and clothes is perfect for any trendy fashionista.

Maui-born Sierra Dew studied Apparel Product Design and Merchandising at UH Manoa and then transferred to Polimoda Fashion School in Italy. After interning with Betsy Johnson in New York City, she started "Sierra Dew Designs" in 2008 and has since then successfully seen her company grow into a signature lifestyle brand in the local fashion and art industry.

courtesy sierra dew

Sierra teaches keiki how to stencil at an
Earth Day workshop.

"When I was a kid I was always doing craft projects at home, learning new skills always really excited me," she says in our e-mail interview. "When I started learning how to sew, I wanted to make everything." 

And she does just that. From jewelry, handbags, dresses, and t-shirts, she makes everything with her own hands. Her cheerfulness and her keen eye for art in nature shine through in her fashion line: vibrant colors, unique designs, and that signature "Sierra" stand-out edge.

So what inspires her? Despite her fun-loving, carefree personality, Sierra's fashion is much more than just having something cute to wear.

"I've always thought that fashion and art should reflect current social and political situations," Dew says. "I think that addressing local issues like genetically modified foods, water and land issues, waste management is very important.  It has always been the artist's way to create meaning through art."

Sierra claims Hawaii's beauty and diversity play a "big role" in her inspiration. "Most of my T-shirt designs are reflective of growing up here," says Dew. 

She continuously strives for "new ways to incorporate my own style into the perfect combination of print, color, and design." She needs to constantly move forward within the competitive market, and in some ways, she wishes she had learned the ruthlessness of the industry in school.

courtesy sierra dew

Sierra displays her print art on the left, which she 

created as a message about child labor and 

the garment industry.

"It's nice that teachers are so encouraging (and now that I do some teaching I can understand), but sometimes it would be more beneficial for them to give students the realities of the market. All of a sudden when we are out of school, we aren't being coddled any longer and it can be shocking."

Her advice to future fashion designers of Hawaii: "Be grounded and honest with yourself about the "reality of your venture…it is very important to have a plan!

"Be passionate! I really have learned how important it is to follow your gut instinct and your heart!"

Sierra's future plans include holding more workshops and collaborating with the local youth and 808 Urban. Her increasing involvement in the community and her meaningful designs make her an inspiration for any aspiring fashion designer. 

To see more of her designs, visit her website at http://www.sierradew.com.