IOLANI PALACE UNVEILS SECOND DRESS IN ALII GOWN REPRODUCTION PROJECT

IOLANI PALACE UNVEILS SECOND DRESS IN ALII GOWN REPRODUCTION PROJECT
Ostrich Feather Gown worn by Queen Liliuokalani to be previewed at Bloomingdale’s

HONOLULU (October 11, 2016) – As part of its mission to share and celebrate the living restoration of Iolani Palace and its place in Hawaiian history, the Friends of Iolani Palace will preview the second piece of its Alii Gown Reproduction project from October 3 – 31, 2016 at Bloomingdale’s. Following its preview, the gown will become part of Iolani Palace’s permanent collection.

The ostrich feather and lilac gown was worn by Queen Liliuokalani at various state functions. This fashion-forward piece is believed to be the last gown commissioned by Queen Liliuokalani as sovereign of the Kingdom of Hawaii.

“Having these royal gowns reproduced is one exciting way of bringing a more personal element to the Palace experience,” said Kippen de Alba Chu, executive director of The Friends of Iolani Palace. “The new ostrich feather gown is a great example of how the alii embraced western and Hawaiian elements in fashion.”

The next gowns to be reproduced will be Queen Liliuokalani’s ribbon gown and Queen Kapiolani’s peacock dress, which are shown in the photo on display in her bedroom at the Palace. Both gowns were worn in 1887 to Queen Victoria’s jubilee celebration in London. Hawaii Island-based historic dress designer Iris Viacrusis has been commissioned to reproduce the pieces of the collection.

To donate to the Alii Gown Reproduction project, contact Pomai Toledo, Development Officer for The Friends of Iolani Palace, at (808) 522-0827 or via email at members@iolanipalace.org.

About Iolani Palace
Iolani Palace is the only official residence of royalty in the United States. King Kalakaua was the first reigning monarch to travel around the world and built Iolani Palace in 1882 to enhance the prestige of Hawaii overseas and to mark Hawaii’s status as a modern nation. For more information, please call Iolani Palace at (808) 522-0822 or visit www.iolanipalace.org.