Old Skills, New Creations | with Keola Rapozo
Did you ever hear the story about the kid from Kahaluʻu who reinvented Hawai‘i men’s fashion and created a worldwide brand?
Keola Rapozo, a Castle High School graduate from Kahalu‘u and co-founder of the popular brand and clothing line, FITTED, demonstrates success doesn’t always come from following the traditional path; sometimes, it’s about having the courage to chart your own course.
Identifying a Need
From a young age, Keola had an interest in fashion. As he grew older, he noticed that men’s fashion in Hawai’i was fairly limited, with many of his friends and family members adhering to a standard template: surf shorts, slippers, fanny pack. Wanting to inspire more creative and diverse fashion options, Keola registered for fashion courses at Honolulu Community College (HCC).
Old Skills, New Creations
Upon discovering that HCC did not offer a fashion design class for menswear at his college, Keola remained undeterred from pursuing his dream of creating his own menswear brand. Instead of giving up, he enrolled in a fashion technical design class that focused only on women’s clothing. In his words:
“If I can figure out how to make women’s garments, I can guarantee make men’s garments.”
Where others may have chosen to pivot to another path, Keola saw this as an opportunity to combine his learned, technical skills with creative ingenuity.
Even criticism and judgment from friends did not steer him away from wanting to establish his own clothing brand.
Keola Rapozo working on designs for his clothing brand, FITTED.
Seizing Opportunities
One day in class, Keola overheard his peers talking about an internship at resort wear brand Tori Richard. Once again, Keola saw an opportunity to use his existing skills in a brand new context. He quickly threw together a portfolio. He made it clear to the Tori Richard team that he would do any type of work there, as long as he was able to learn from them.
His determined attitude earned him a spot as an intern. Interning at Tori Richard gave Keola insight into the business side of the fashion industry as he continued to refine his own designs and ideas.
The Impact
In 2005, along with co-founder Renee Matthyssen, FITTED was brought to life, initially as a custom cap brand. Today, thanks to his creative ability to blend his connections with Hawaiian culture with hip-hop streetwear, FITTED is one of the most popular and in-demand clothing brands in Hawai‘i.
Even though Keola’s formal education at HCC focused on women’s fashion, he was able to think innovatively and applied his skills to create a unique brand.
By thinking outside the box, Keola identified a need in Hawai’i’s fashion scene and took the necessary steps to fill that gap.
This innovative mindset can cultivate habits of creativity and problem-solving across many sectors. Thinking outside the box builds resilience and adaptability and may provide you with the tools to navigate challenges, change, and criticism with confidence and ease.
Keola reflects on his journey, saying,
“I cared about what people said at the time, but I’m glad that I didn’t care enough to stop.”
Following your unique vision allows you to break free from the expectations of others and create a life that is truly your own. From Keola’s story, we learn to embrace the courage it takes to defy convention, knowing that the most fulfilling journeys are often those guided by authenticity and passion. Your path may not always be easy, but it will be worth it.
Keola Rapozo’s story is featured in RiseHI’s Make IT Happen curriculum, under the Vulnerability Creates Opportunity module. Learn more about Make IT Happen and how you can implement it in your school or organization today by visiting our ‘Oihana Career Explorations or Frameworks page.
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