Alfred Shaheen

• Name — Alfred Shaheen • Birth Name — Alfred Shaheen • Born — 31 January 1922 • Birthplace — Cranford, New Jersey • Died — 22 December 2008 • Place of death — Torrance, California • Resting Place — Oahu Cemetery, Honolulu, Hawaii • Occupation — Textile industrialist • Education — Whittier College • Awards — Ka'Ahu No'eau Governor's Lifetime Achievement Award, State of Hawaii, 2001; Hawaii's 150 Most Important Influences Since 1856, The Honolulu Advertiser, July 2, 2006 • Website — https: www.alfredshaheen.com/

Shaheen was born in Cranford, New Jersey, on January 31, 1922, to a family of Lebanese immigrants, who were garment industry entrepreneurs. Shaheen's grandfather, Assi Shaheen, came to the U.S. from Lebanon in the late-1800s and established silk factories in New York and New Jersey. Shaheen's father, George, joined his father, Assi, in the U.S. in the early-1900s. George ultimately started his own business, Geo. Shaheen, with his wife, Mary. In 1938, George moved his family and his business to Hawaii, where George and Mary specialized in custom garments made from silks, brocades, rayon satin, and other formal fabrics. Alfred returned to the mainland to attend Whittier College, where he excelled at math, physics, engineering and football. After graduating with a degree in aeronautical engineering just as the U.S. entered World War II, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps and became a fighter pilot, flying 84 missions over Germany, Italy and France.

• Metallic dyes: Together with Dr. Edmund Lutz, his friend and head dye chemist, Shaheen created over 100 metallic colors, including gold, silver, sapphire, ruby, and emerald. These metallic dyes are lightfast, chlorine- and saltwater-resistant, and can withstand the rigors of the tropics. Sometimes the metallics would outline a print, and other times the metallics were used for the print itself. • Engineered print • Pop-up shop, store-within-a-store boutique

Shaheen's fabrics have been used by various labels, including Reyn Spooner, Andrades, McInerny, Liberty House, Waltah Clarke, Speedo, and Stetson. Shaheen's name and label are typically found on the selvedge of these fabrics. Shaheen has also licensed prints for manufacture in European countries. In 2021 Wall coverings were added to the collections under the Brenda Houston label Wallcovetings

Shaheen retired in 1988 and died on December 22, 2008, due to complications from type 2 diabetes.

• Bishop Museum, November 10, 2012 – February 28, 2013 • Maui Arts & Cultural Center, September 4, 2011 – October 29, 2011 • Washington State University, April 7, 2011 – May 3, 2011 • Arab American National Museum, October 7, 2010 – March 13, 2011 • San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles, May 18, 2010 – August 8, 2010

Alfred Shaheen is recorded as fashion designer and textile manufacturer. Established in Library of Congress under no2011124995.