About this time of year we’d usually be getting ready for Ala Moana’s Red Party and other soirees and special events revolving around the many luxury boutiques at the center and Kalakaua.
Sigh. Its absence is felt.
Oh well, this business is such that I can never dwell long on what we don’t have, focusing instead on moving forward. I mentioned a little while back that I would be meeting with some people from Nordstrom and sat down yesterday with the lovely Pamela, Brooke and Sharon, along with one of our business writers Nina Wu.
Everyone’s waiting to know how they’ll position themselves in the marketplace, so Nina pointblank asked, “Are you somewhere between Macy’s and Neiman Marcus?”
They have yet to receive notice about what their mix will be, but the gist of their response is that they strive to offer many “boutiques” under one roof, acknowledging the mash-up way that real people shop and style themselves, so we can find — without ever leaving the store — that designer jean and $1,200 handbag, pairing those with an inexpensive T-shirt and, speaking mainlandese, “flipflops.”
They reminded us about their 40-year presence in the islands, first through the shoe department at Liberty House, and they opened their independent shoe store — something they hadn’t had since the 1960s — at Ward Centre to retain employees in planning for this major opening. Talk about planning ahead! I don’t know of many companies that would make that kind of commitment to employees. (They haven’t officially started the hiring process but those interested can check for employment ops at Nordstrom.com, under “Careers.”
And what a treat they have planned for their opening gala March 5, 2008, which will include the presentation of a full runway show featuring American and European designer spring collections. Tickets will be $150 per person, going on sale the week after Thanksgiving. I’ll remind you closer to the date. The fete will benefit Bishop Museum, Hawaii Theatre Center and HUGS. Grand opening day is March 7, with a free early morning makeup tailgate session involving makeup application in the parking lot before doors open.
Nadine Kam photos Phuong Nguyen shows a ring of imperial jade and diamonds in a double flower design from Jade by Nikolai.
Here’s a welcome idea for all event planners: Jewelry designer Nikolai Tsang treated some of her best clients to a Spa Day Oct. 28 at the newly open Heaven on Earth at Koolani.
On view was a selection of jadeite, pearl and precious stone jewelry, as well as the spa itself, at about 20,000 square feet. It is so huge that while the party was going on in the salon area, most guests were unaware that one floor below, regular spa treatments were taking place without interruption. There’s enough space for a women’s lounge, men’s lounge, couple’s massage room and space for yoga, pilates and, of all things, pole-dancing classes.
Nikolai helps Mika Guillou try on one of her necklaces featuring a jadeite chrysanthemum pendant.(more…)
Nadine Kam photo Maggie Coulombe’s boat neck dress, is $350 short, and $475 long.
Got a chance to preview Maui designer Maggie Coulombe’s Spring 2008 collection last night as it was served up at Du Vin.
Lots of draping with luscious, bold-colored silks, which she says makes packing for frequent fliers so easy. “I just roll it up like sushi,” she said.
She just opened her Honolulu showroom at 1111 Nuuanu Ave. Suite 215, which is almost like working her way backward toward Oahu because her designs are already well known in Hollywood—worn by Nicole Richie, Paris Hilton and Teri Hatcher, and providing TV and film wardrobe—and she’s poised to conquer the East Coast, having returned from a successful New York Fashion Week showcase.
Nadine Kam photo Maggie Coulombe’s drape front dress, is $350 short, and $400 long.
It looked like you need a zero-fat bod to wear some of her creations, and some of the backless garments had a friend and I wondering how it hugged the models’ shoulders. Of course it was that ancient Hollywood secret, Hollywood Fashion Tape. You can get it online at blissworld.com, at $21 for 108 strips. If anyone else knows a local source, I’m sure a lot of people will be glad to know.
Security personnel at McCarran Airport in Las Vegas were looking for a bomb in my carry-on, only to find …
What’s up with me and bombs anyway. If they aren’t exploding around me, as during my New York adventure, then security is always looking out for me.
The latest was getting stopped at McCarran International Airport en route home and seeing everyone in back of me giving me the stink eye for holding them up. Sorry! I was late too, but instead of just pulling my bag, the employees seem to have so little going on in their lives that they have to invent excitement by making a big show of calling the supervisor, making all kinds of comments like, “What does this look like to you? I don’t like this. I don’t like this one bit. Looks pretty bad,” and leaving everyone waiting. This took about 20 minutes when I had 10 to get to my plane.
Of course the first thing they pulled out from my bag was the box for my bra “petals,” which I had to buy because I had bought a top requiring a strapless bra, and had left my Nu Bra at home. So that was kind of embarrassing to see two old guys hovering, trying to figure out what this silicone substance was!
As it turns out, the real culprit was a batch of thick, dense fudge I brought back as omiyage. That, combined with all the cords for my computer, digital camera and cell phone made it look like I was planning to build a bomb of plastic explosives.
So now you know. If you’re bringing fudge home, pack it in your check-in luggage. I only travel with one carry-on, so next time I’d ship it home.
The payoff: Two hours of work at the craps table paid for this Hugo Boss snake evening purse at the Primm Outlets.
Hey Kelliiii, sorry to be such a wussy gambler but I’m so conservative I only only won $178 the hard way at Vegas, 7 buckaroonies at a time, while others at the table were winning into the thousands on one guy’s good roll.
Tried to do your hard 6 and 8s but as it turns out, putting money on all the hard ways for me was the sure sign that the shooter’s next roll would be a 7!
Oh well, better than being down $178! Makes me wish we had casino here. It’s different when you’re pressured out to make enough to pay for your Vegas trip in 3 or 4 days, but if you’re willing to settle for steadily making $100 a day at the craps table, well, that’s one way to supplement our meager Hawaii incomes.
Of course the problem is cool heads do not generally prevail, and there are a lot of people who will probably become addicted to gambling, lose everything they own, etc. Yeah, yeah, I know all the arguments against bringing gambling to Hawaii.
I did see so many stupid, low-percentage bets, like people just walking up to the roulette table and placing $25 on black or red and losing $100 in a minute. Or one guy putting $50 on the craps 12 on the field, losing, then making the same bet again, losing and walking away swearing. I mean, what were the odds of a win! (more…)
Nadine Kam photo Fashion Show is across from The Wynn in Las Vegas.
Headed to Fashion Show just across the street from the Wynn, where I checked out Nordstrom for a sneak preview as to what we might see when they open at Ala Moana Center.
People always talk about Nordstrom as a bridge between Macy’s and Neiman Marcus, but there’s a little of both. Pieces by Trina Turk and Nylon at Nordstrom are in the $248-$398 range, about where NM’s first-floor women’s contemporary was at a year or two ago, not exactly a bridge price for most people.
Nadine Kam photo I forgot the price of this Tracy Reese top at Nordstrom Las Vegas, but I believe it was close to $1,000.(more…)
Yu Shing Ting photo A born media star: Koen looks as if he was born ready for his closeup!
Woke up at 2 p.m. Ugh. Thought it was 11. I guess it would be, Hawaii time. Busted a bag of $8 Wynn potato chips in my room. Breakfast of champions. Everything at the mini bar is on censors so it you lift it more more than a minute, it’s yours.
Friends had called my cell looking for me, but thought my phone was off. Left email I had to check. Is this any way to spend a vacation?
Found a message from Yu Shing, finally! with her baby Koen’s picture. Many have been hoping to hear word of his birth. All last week people — including men — were coming up to me asking, “Has Yu Shing had her baby yet? What’s his name? How is she? …” and on. After a couple of days of fielding questions I thought I should hold up a sign saying “It’s a boy!”
So here are the details: Koen Kaimalieokalani Makinano was born on Oct. 2, 2007 (also Yu Shing’s b-day though it wasn’t planned). He weighed 7 pounds 14 ounces and was 21 inches long.
She emails, “Like most babies, he eats, sleeps and poops a lot!!! He also likes to sleep throughout the day and keeps me up all night long!! I’m still trying to adjust to this mommy stuff! It really is a lot of work!!! “
Nadine Kam photos In spite of all the spectacular displays throughout the city, the Wynn presents perhaps the most outrageous fantasy of all, of tree-lined and floral oasis in the middle of the desert. The large ornaments are covered with flowers, and as early as 5:30 a.m., workers are busily watering, pruning and otherwise tending the flora throughout the property, inside and out.
While staying at the Wynn, I didn’t have to look far to find luxury fashion. Oscar de la Renta, Dior, Chanel and Louis Vuitton boutiques are right downstairs. Didn’t go through the ones we have at home, but did explore every nook and cranny at Outfit, which carries Zac Posen, Tufi Duek, Alexander McQueen, Proenza Schouler, and many labels unavailable at home.
Central display at Outfit in the Wynn Esplanade.
Most fabulous of all were Catherine Malandrino’s feather trimmed and embellished dresses — those weren’t even in her NY store a month ago — and a Monique Lhuillier cap-sleeve bolero that must have weighed at least 5 pounds from the density of tight rosettes of brass paillettes, something like $3,999. Sorry I couldn’t show you a photo, for obvious reasons, like the desire to avoid being yelled at. There was no frock less than $1,000 on the racks. (more…)
I’m trying to finish writing up my interview with director Ang Lee (more on this debacle later, upon which I told this world-famous, Oscar- and Golden Globe-winning director to call back later), plus restaurant review, plus couple of other things for HI Luxury magazine before packing my bags again, this time for Vegas, in search of fortune!
I was standing in front of my closet last night, wondering what to bring, and decided to stick to a theme and bust out the metallics again. It seemed fitting, gold and silver Fighting Eel dresses that make packing so easy, a Rebecca Taylor dress, Catherine Malandrino skirt, all the color of midnight and currency. Wish me luck at the tables! See ya real soon.
Nadine Kam photo Tani Lynn models a black gown that won its creator, Freida Hulse, 1st-runner up honors at FACE of Nuuanu.
It was a hot show in more ways than one as temperatures soared during the Oct. 13 FACE of Nuuanu Fashion Shown on Nuuanu Avenue, dressed in red carpet for the occasion.
The finale of Honolulu’s first Fashion Week opened with showcases by Manovich by Shanelle Dragomanovich and a theatrical demonstration of fashion, martial arts and belly dancing staged by the River Street shop Bad Sushi, complete with the message “Free Tibet.”
Nadine Kam photo Bad Sushi playing with fire.
Nadine Kam video Part of the Manovich collection.I had a good view from the judges’ seat when the competition segment of the show began, with entries in Day, Hawaiian, resort and evening wear categories. There didn’t seem to be as many entries as last year’s fashion show event, but that’s likely because many of last year’s participants have gone on to launch businesses, which is one of the aims of FACE and Honolulu Fashion Week founders Takeo, Eric Eugene Kamakahia’ai Chandler and Sandy Pohl, who also deserve a lot of credit for such a massive undertaking.Nadine Kam photo Taking in the show.Nadine Kam video Michael Kaye Couture captures the beauty and romance of Hawaii through this collection, created in just a month.Here is the list of winners in the amateur competion.Day wear
Winner: Andrew Southiphong
1st Runner-up: Mining Moisa NicaHawaiian wear
Winner: Kini Zamora
1st Runner-up: Aimaahuli McManus
Resort wear
Winner: Katrina Bodnyk
Runner-up: Alan Carrell
Evening wear
Winner: Sebastian Toulouse
Runner-up: Frieda Hulse
Special Awards
Most promising: Ron Kayano and Christine Vicunas
Youngest designer: Tiger Tam, 9
Oldest designer: Alice Ihori, 87
Pamela Young Award: Alan Carrell
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