By Nadine Kam

Nadine Kam photos
Allison Chu works on her hair prior to a rehearsal for “West Side Story” on Feb. 24. The musical’s public performances begin Feb. 29 with ’50s night at the KHS Auditorium.

Students from the Kaimuki Performing Arts Center bring back the look of the ’50s when “West Side Story” opens, and for a bunch of 21st century teens, it wasn’t easy to recreate the labor-intensive look that 1950s teens simply took for granted. It meant a whole lot of makeup, hair rollers, corsets for girls and tucked-in shirts and pants starting at the waist instead of the hips for boys.

Nadine Kam photos
Students warm up before a dress rehearsal, with instruction from Broadway actor and dancer Ramon del Barrio and musical director Nanilisa Pascua on piano.The boys were scolded for lapsing into 2008-style casual, but some enjoyed the ’50s formality, saying that it made them feel classy, even though they were playing street punks! (more…)

By Nadine Kam

If you like gofugyourself.com, maybe you want to cuddle up with the book, just released for $19.95.

In the season of awards, one timely arrival is “The Fug Awards,” a book from Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan, the creators of gofugyourself.com, that regularly digs at what our favorite celebrities are wearing.

Yes, it’s catty, but most of the time, you can’t help but agree with the pair, like when they say of this photo of Scarlett Johanssen, “That is not sexy, provocative cleavage; that is what happens when a stray ostrich wanders over and gives birth to twins in your bodice.”

There are the easy targets of course: Britney, Lindsay, Victoria Beckham, Paula Abdul and Bai Ling. But no one is spared, not even those most women generally like, such as Jennifer Aniston, chided for her boring column dresses; Gwen Stefani (”deranged showgirl”); and the generally classy and lovely Cate Blanchett.

Then there are the moments when I feel vindicated and glad I have found someone to agree with me on the matter of Chloe Sevigny. Heather wrote, “It’s well-documented that we here at GFY HQ find it perplexing that so many people and publications laud Sevigny as blessed with unerring and fascinating taste. We think she’s brutal.”

Examples of Chloe Sevigny’s “unerring style.” (more…)

By Nadine Kam

Since running Benny and Rafi Fine’s “Lost” spoof here a while back, the bros have sent along a new episode and report that, while pitching their comedy stuff around L.A., have found companies interested in a continuing series from them.

They’ve been ranked in the Top 15 of MySpace comedians, building up their fan base on YouTube as well. Very cool the way social media can accelerate a phenomenon, as well as goad people to put their creativity on display. You never know who’s watching.

By Nadine Kam

Nadine Kam photos
Arriving fashionably late to Oscar Night America at Halekulani were, from left, James Alberti, Christina Simpkins and Brett Wagner. Simpkins and Wagner are back after five successful screenings of Wagner’s “Chief” at the Sundance Film Festival. While there, Simpkins said she talked up Hawaii in hope of bringing more filmmakers to shoot their projects here. Next project for Wagner is another short film he wrote.

Just because we’re miles from Hollywood doesn’t mean we couldn’t celebrate the spirit of Oscar night with our own Oscar Night America red-carpet event at the Halekulani.

Escada was prominent, with no fewer than nine Escada gowns appearing on the red carpet. There was plenty of spring color too, brightening the usual field of black at these types of events, and echoing the real Academy Awards red carpet. I felt like they all had the same makeup artist because most of the presenters had the same combination of blue eyelids, rosy pink cheeks and lips.

Otherwise, I missed all the E! red-carpet commentaries, but from what I saw on the broadcast, I really loved Marion Cotillard’s shimmery white mermaid gown. Otherwise, the stars tend to dress alike in solid-color column gowns. It’s great that “Juno” screen writer Diablo Cody dared to be different in a flowing leopard-print gown.

Attendees facing about a dozen photographers upon arrival said they felt like celebrities.

Color filled the red carpet.

Wearing Escada, from left, were Yukako Sakakibara, Noriko Sasakawa and Yumiko Sakaue.

Man of the hour, Chuck Boller, head of the Hawaii International Film Festival. (more…)

By Nadine Kam

Forget YouTube and MySpace if you’ve got a shoe fetish going on. There’s a site just for you at Shoetube.tv with blogs and videos devoted to you know what.

Here’s a video from the site. Other videos even demonstrate how to walk in heels.

Speaking of which, here’s a cutie I saw at Neiman Marcus this afternoon, from Christian Louboutin. I didn’t check the price, but considering a basic C.L. boot costs about $900/$1,000, this was out of my league. It’s new, but they’ve sold two pairs so far:

By Nadine Kam

AP photos
Design from the Gianni Versace Fall/Winter 2008 collection.

The Milan fall/winter shows started on Wednesday, and it seems as if the global economy has brought Italian and American designers in sync. Many of the streamlined silhouettes and colors looked as if they would have been right at home on New York’s runways. Collections from Dolce & Gabbana, Romeo Gigli and Versace were relatively devoid of excess.

Of course there were luxurious fabrics and accents such as Fendi’s renowned furs, but I can’t help thinking that worries about a sinking economy are leading designers to tame their wildest impulses to create more wearable pieces.

From the Gianni Versace collection.

From Dolce & Gabbana.

From Romeo Gigli.

From Fendi.

By Nadine Kam

Sports Illustrated
Tori Praver photographed on Maui. More photos of all the models can be found at sportsillustrated.cnn.com/features/2008_swimsuit/ as if you didn’t know.

Those ogling Sports Illustrated’s latest swimsuit issue are probably eyeing more than the suits, but are probably not paying much attention to the jewelry or the sites, including the beach at Sheraton Maui.

Designers tapped for the photo shoot were Michael Spirito for Exhibitionist and Lana Fertelmeister of Lana Jewelry.

Lana Jewelry
The gold and diamond Affinity Ring is $630.

Lana is in town for personal appearances at Neiman Marcus 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Feb. 22 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 23, showing layered necklaces, stacked bangles and other beach-to-dinner party bling.

This is the second year Lana’s designs are being featured in the magazine. My interviews with the designer appeared at:

>> http://starbulletin.com/2008/02/21/features/story02.html

>> http://starbulletin.com/2007/02/08/features/story01.html

>>>><<<<

Now’s the time to pick up tickets for the unveiling of Ala Moana Center’s new 100,000 square-foot, two-level retail wing during a Preview Shopping Night and Fund-raiser taking place 7 to 9 p.m. March 6.

Only 500 will be admitted to the shopping event that includes sampling of desserts from Café Laufer, Romano’s Macaroni Grill, Roy’s, Ruth’s Chris Steak House and The Pineapple Room, cocktails as well as entertainment. Guests will also receive a commemorative Shop a Le‘a mini tote.

Tickets are $40, available at the Customer Service Center. All proceeds will benefit Hawaii Habitat for Humanity.

Retailers participating in the event are Ann Taylor, Bare Escentuals, Blue Hawaii Lifestyle, Chico’s, Design Within Reach, J.Crew-on-the-Island, Janie & Jack, Le Grand Marqet, Lululemon Athletica, MAX & Co., Philip Rickard Factory Showroom, Sunglass Icon, Vera Bradley, White House/Black Market, Williams-Sonoma, and Wolford.

Call 955-9517 for more information.

By Nadine Kam

American Idol
Jason Castro photographed looking much more polished than laidback as he did two nights ago during the men’s night of competition.

After a two-day marathon of watching the “American Idol” top 24, to me they could narrow the field to about 8 already. I hope Jason Castro stays a long time.

There’s been news stories run about the unfair advantage of some of the singers who have worked as pros, who have done tours and recordings, but I don’t think that will have any bearing on the final result. They didn’t make it “in the real world” the first time for the same reasons they won’t make it to the end on “AI,” whether it’s wrong material or sound or lack of charisma.

Top girls for me are Alexandrea Lushington and Syesha Mercado, but Jason’s a breath of fresh air, like Blake Lewis last season.

A lot of Jason’s fans are saying he looks like John Travolta. I don’t see it, unless they’re talking about his goofy wide smile.

By Nadine Kam

Nadine Kam photos
This Paloma Blanca satin charmeuse capped-sleeve sheath gown with empire lace bodice, sash and brooch is $1,875.

The Wedding Cafe and The Bridal Boutique teamed up to play host to 75 brides-to-be, their friends and a handful of supportive grooms-to-be at the “27 Dresses” Couture Wedding Gown show Sunday night. The event had the vibe of a giant bridal shower with desserts, wine, and fun and games from beginning to end.

As usual, guests lined up early and were eventually greeted inside The Bridal Boutique, 614 Cooke St., by the music of Ben Vegas and Maila Gibson, who is a great singer. I’m hyper-critical about that because I sing and I can never figure out how, on “American Idol,” after auditioning thousands and thousands of wannabes, they come up up with such mediocre talent in the top 24. Listening to Maila outside the door, I thought I was listening to a recording and Tanna Dang, of The Wedding Cafe, later told the audience that she booked Ben and Maila for her wedding as soon as she set her date, before making any other arrangements. They are that good.

Before the show, guests lined up for dessert.

From there it was onto wine sampling compliments of Wine the Experience and desserts from Aloha Cakery, such as Heavenly Haupia Squares, Hawaiian Honeymoon Brownies and Strawberry Dream Wedding Cake. My favorite was the Cloud 9 Cream Puff.

Of course, everyone came to see the wedding gowns modeled by friends of the hosts, to show how gowns fit brides of every size. But the star of the evening was 5-year-old flowergirl model Kaylie, who put on her best attitude, even doing a backward stroll down the runway to Aerosmith’s “Walk This Way.”

Cheri Cabillon, left, is looking forward to an October wedding, while Belinda Sanchez has set a date in September.

I took an empty seat next to Cheri Cabillon and Belinda Sanchez, two of the most stylish in the house. I asked Sanchez if she was in the fashion biz. “No,” she said, “but I’m French.” She said she didn’t want a traditional wedding dress, and had originally searched for something “couture or funky” to suit her style sense, but once she tried on a wedding cake sort of dress, she was hooked by that traditional image.

Once the show started, she had to remove her jacket. “I’m getting hot, this is serious business,” she said.

Can’t have a shower without toilet-paper games, with Maryn as blushing bride. (more…)

By Nadine Kam

After the C.S. Wo party Saturday night, I moved on to the Peter Lik Gallery at Waikiki Beach Walk, where the photographer had arrived for a surprise visit on short notice.

Lik has been traveling the globe opening galleries from New York to Dubai over the course of a year, but as you can see, he’s kept his macho Outback fashion sense!

Nadine Kam photo
Peter Lik, right, with Mario Frittoli, the celebrity chef of Japan’s Luxor Ristorante who has set his sights on the Hawaii market.

Waikiki Beach Walk is so popular that it was hard to find parking. Valets set us over to the Outrigger, who tried to send us to another hotel, which sounded like an ordeal, so we just went to the DeRussy lot, which is a lot less of a hassle than dealing with the wait of using the valets.

After the party, Japan celebrity chef Mario Frittoli, his hosts and Masako Nashimoto and Anthony Gambino of Nashimoto & Associates decided to check out Nobu’s. I was kind of tired so declined an invitation to join them. I found out from Anthony later that they bumped into another celeb at Nobu’s later that night … a post-concert Sting.