By Nadine Kam

christinavonfieandt.com

I spent most of the day looking for a photo that appeared in our paper in 1995 or so. It was of young model Brook Lee, before she became Miss Universe, modeling a dress by Anna Christina in Tamarind Park.

Unfortunately, for those too young to remember, those were the days before the mass popularity of the Internet, and the Star-Bulletin did not go online until 1996, so the photo was lost to our electronic archives.

But I remember the red “lauhala weave” ribbon dress well because of how stunning Brook looked in it. The dress itself was full of movement, and it was the first time I saw the work of Anna Christina, who’s better known in other parts of the world as Christina von Fieandt, and whose full name is Christina Anna von Fieandt Barlund.

The designer died May 23 at Straub Hospital and Clinic, and friends and family will remember her during a Celebration of Life taking place at 5:30 p.m. July 17 at the Honolulu Elks Lodge, with scattering of ashes to follow.

After perfecting her lauhala weave style, Anna Christina stuck with it, making her pieces instantly recognizable. I did not know her well, but her friends Jean Sutton, Marie Obrocta, Elizabeth Posse, Godfrey Kam and Norma Hamblin wanted to share her story with other fashion enthusiasts who may have known her, as follows:

A native of Helsinki, Finland and resident of Hawaii for over 30 years, Christina Anna von Fieandt Barlund began making her own clothes at age 14. Her background, education and training were in fashion design.

She followed her schooling by becoming apprenticed to a skilled seamstress of The House of Balmain in Paris, who had also sewn for the Royal Family of England. In Finland, Christina specialized in hand-knitted garments, but the fabric weaving training that she received at the Design School was revived after her introduction to the lauhala-weaving technique shortly after she arrived in Hawaii.

She became known for integrating the traditional Hawaiian technique of lauhala weaving into a new contemporary form. While maintaining the scale of pandanus-leaf weaving, Christina introduced satin, chiffon and/or grosgrain ribbons of various widths and colors for her art, creating fabric that would be stitched into one-of-a-kind designer dresses, evening gowns, suits, coats, jackets and accessories.

The Barlund family arrived in the United States in 1968. They settled in California and lived in Reseda, Canoga Park and Palm Springs. Christina opened and operated a boutique, Anna Christina, Ltd., Palm Springs 1963-1968, and was a fabric and pattern representative of Leiters Import, Fabricland and Vogue Pattern companies. She also designed and produced clothing for private clients such as celebrity David Jansen’s wife, who wore an Anna Christina creation at the Oscars in Hollywood.

In 1970, the Barland family, including sons Ron and Rick, moved to Honolulu. While Krister Barlund was pursuing his profession as an architect, Christina continued Anna Christina, Ltd. She also opened a shop in Ward Warehouse, Kitta International Design, from 1978-1988. The store featured furniture and furnishings imported from Scandinavia and other European countries.

In 2001, Christina leased a studio in The Waikiki Shopping Plaza where miles of ribbon was hand woven to produce fabrics for the unique couture apparel and accessories that would be featured in her Christina von Fieandt Boutique Shop at the Hyatt Regency Waikiki from 2001-2004. Her last studio was located in China Town at 1149 Bethel St.

Christina designed and sewed all 18 of the contestant’s gowns for the opening number of the “Miss Hawaii Scholarship Pageant” in 1994. Other appearances of her fashions in Hawaii are in the following annual fashion shows: “Made in Hawaii with Aloha”, the Governor’s award show, “Muumuu Mania,” a benefit for the Honolulu Symphony Society and “The Heart Ball” for the Heart Association. Others include: “Reflections II” for the Japanese Women’s Society of Honolulu, and the “Fantasy Getaway” by the Associated Chinese University Women. Most Prominently, Christina von Fieandt’s fashions have been the highlight of the “Aloha on Tour” promotion sponsored by the State of Hawaii, Department of Business and Economic Development & Tourism. Promotion target cities were Baltimore, Chicago, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington, D.C. The tour also included Berlin, Dusseldorf and Frankfurt, Germany; Austria; Zurich, Switzerland; London, England; Australia, Japan, Korea and New Zealand.

In the fall of 2006, Christina launched WeaveWorld, inspired by a vision that she could create a learning center, while perpetuating the Hawaiian culture. Christina attained non-profit status and established a privately funded, year round, art school, with a commitment to carry on the Hawaiian art and culture of traditional lauhala weaving, by creating a program geared toward youth and educators. Her curriculum would provide needed awareness of weaving, while instilling self esteem, building character, and affording students employment opportunities in the fashion industry.

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