Nadine Kam video stills
ZhanVi’s show Saturday at Level 4 had a European vibe.

Still catching up with the series of fashion shows presented Saturday night at Level 4 in Waikiki. Each of the shows by Indashio, Valerie Joseph and ZhanVi merited its own video.

ZhanVi’s was striking in bringing a touch of Eastern European sass to Honolulu, something we don’t usually get to see on our runways.

Designer Zhanneta Sharov was born in Crimea (now, Ukraine), and grew up in Kaliningrad, Russia, where she became a dancer and toured with a ballet troupe, creating their costumes along the way, which would explain the theatricality of her garments, as well as the styling of the models’ hair and makeup for the showcase.

After moving to Hawaii, she started offering sewing and alteration services, but now is forging ahead to become known as a designer. She has my attention now! From the music to the models’ hair, makeup and hats — all by Lara Woltag — this was a show unlike most presented here, demonstrating the power and importance of diversity in an isolated place. The Internet helps us to see fashion and ideas from abroad, but it’s no substitute for putting concept into practice on the ground.

On the runway: