By Nadine Kam

Nadine Kam photos
From left are Chihana Onozeki, Maria Garrido Gabaldon — who some scene observers like to call Hawaii’s Penelope Cruz — and Susanne Sjodin.

mixmix celebrated the opening of store No. 2 at 1440 Kapiolani Boulevard across from the Ala Moana Center branch of Bank of Hawaii Wednesday night with champagne, chocolates and a peek at designs by Diane Von Furstenberg, Dries Van Noten, McQ, and more for women, and Veronique Branquinho, Kris Van Assche and Super Fine for men.The Bethel and Pauahi street original remains open, although there are plans to branch out into other directions, so keep your eyes open.

Unlike the white party that marked last fall’s opening, there was no dress code this time.

Maria and Tomoya Tsuruhara.

From left, stylist Crystal Pancipanci, N. Trisha Lagaso Goldberg and Lesa Griffith. Crystal will be in tonight’s episode of “Lost,” as one of the paparazzi/reporters participating in an international press conference. (Just so’s she doesn’t get into trouble, I found out about it from other sources before I saw her.)

ABC photo
Crystal’s not alone with her TV closeup. Honolulu Nightlife Diarist Christa Wittmier — complete with apparently non-working camera (pictured behind Cheech Marin) — will also be in the episode, as well as Shana Peete. Wish I could watch in real time but I’ll have to catch up later online. I hate that because I find the resolution distracting. I can see the makeup tricks and think, “Hey that’s not dirt; that’s Guerlain Terra Cotta or Stila Sun.”

By Nadine Kam

Goodwill Industries
Metallic denim dress created by Ricky Lizalde on auction to benefit Goodwill Industries.

There are a handful of Hawaii designers trying to get onto “Project Runway.” The good thing about a show like that is, even if you lose, the name-recognition factor will continue to open doors long after the last episode airs.

Of course, Christian Siriano was bound to be a star. But if you thought you’d seen the last of Ricky “Crybaby” Lizalde, think again.

The California designer has created a collection in celebration of Levi’s “501 Day” and in support of Goodwill Industries. Sales from the auction of the Ricky Lizalde pieces will help fund Goodwill job training programs that benefit hundreds of thousands of people each year. The auctions end May 19 and May 20, and include the metallic denim dress (size 2-4) and the denim engineer cap. Last time I checked, the prices were $248 and $68, respectively. Go to www.shopgoodwill.com.

As much as I hated the hat during the season, it’s such a signature of his that he probably would be able to market them in any color and material forever.

By Nadine Kam

Interesting “argument in pictures” by Karen Lehrman posted on Slate, in which she laments the decline of fashion photography. I would agree with some of her points, but the major point unaddressed is that the images also reflect the times in which they are taken and the designs as well. Not all designs are suited for the gauzy, romantic treatment. Nor is that everyone’s fantasy or aspiration.

New York Times magazine
In the case of these New York Times magazine photos that appeared May 4, designers don’t intend to have their pieces worn this way, but this is how the garments were envisioned by an editorial team, inspired by the Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s “Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy,” on view through Sept. 1. Like most photography and art today, it is concept driven. Technical ability is assumed.

No doubt the images she admires depict mood, elegance and mastery of the zone system, but, we’ve seen those images before and I wouldn’t want photographers to be limited to the beautiful retro style favored by Lehrman. Even if some of today’s images may be ugly and crude, I respect varying points of view I may not otherwise have had without photographers forging ahead to craft a style of their own.

Check it out at http://www.slate.com/features/010510_fashion-slide-show/01.htm

By Nadine Kam

www.ejfoundation.org
The Environmental Justice Foundation shirts were designed by, from left, Luella Bartley, Betty Jackson and Katharine Hamnett.

It’s nice to see Brit designer Luella Bartley using her power for good. She just may be the Bono of the fashion world considering her work for the Environmental Justice Foundation, and Tonic, an ethical T-shirt company whose sales benefit environmental and social welfare projects around the world.

The 100 percent cotton shirts for EJF, above, are priced in pounds at www.ejfoundation.org, making them about $60 for us Yanks. There’s also a colorful floral design by Christian Lacroix. Sales of the men’s and women’s shirts will help to fund the current campaigns:

>> Promoting ethical and sustainable cotton production free from forced child labor and pesticides.
>> Protecting coastal regions and communities from the destruction of precious natural habitats caused by shrimp farms.
>> Seeking an end to illegal fishing, which causes destruction of natural marine environments and livelihoods of coastal communities in developing countries.
>> Persuading governments to ban the use of Endosulfan, a pervasive pesticides.
>> Ending illegal trafficking of plants and animals that is reducing wildlife populations, some to the verge of extinction.
>> Bringing an end to bycatch, millions of tons of fish that are accidentally caught and discarded annually.

At the Tonic Web site www.tonicgen.com four designs by Bartley are featured. The T-shirts are made of a 70/30 blend of bamboo fiber and cotton, and priced at $45 for men and women. Sales will help the following causes:

>> “Pagan Sun” tee: Protect 1/4 acre of endangered coral reef near Palau, Micronesia with partner SaveNature.org. The project aims to protect more than 600 coral and 1,400 fish species, plus sea turtles, dugongs, giant clams and chambered nautilus.
>> Stag tee: A partnership with Alive & Kicking, UK, provides free soccer balls with educational messages about HIV/AIDS and malaria to kids, to combine athletics with education.
>> Robin tee: Along with Friends of Paradis des Indiens, Tonic is helping provide shoes to 2,500 children in Haiti to help them get to school and learn academic subjects and skills such as carpentry, sewing, weaving, agriculture and reforestation.
>> Scary Douglas tee: Revenue from sales of this shirt goes to The Global Fund for Children, who support Fundación Sim’s Healthy Little Mouths program, providing mobile dental clinics that offer free check-ups, toothbrushes and toothpaste to children in Colombia.

By Nadine Kam

Ran a brief in the paper today about Italian jewelry designer Franco Pianegonda appearing at Neiman Marcus today, but just got word this morning that due to a family emergency, he is unable to be here. He may try to reschedule a visit in fall. A cocktail reception from 4 to 6 p.m. today will still go on for those who want to take a peek at his jewelry.

By Nadine Kam

Nadine Kam photos
I don’t know the cost of the earrings, but this Tiffany diamond necklace is priced at $38,000, and looks much better in reality than in my photo.

After taking in part of the University of Hawaii fashion last Sunday, spent all afternoon and half the evening on a photo shoot for HI Luxury magazine, which is labor intensive, even with a crew of six working to the fullest. Directing a cast of three models to convey a story is as involved as making a short film, though with a lot less equipment and fewer cords to trip over. Lugging clothes around is also a muscle-building, back-breaking exercise, so it was nice this past Sunday to simply spend a leisurely afternoon at the Halekulani with the Tiffany Circle Society of Women Leaders.

The event was presented in support of the Red Cross, while honoring Tiffany Circle founding members Carolyn A. Berry, Joey Harris, Kitty Lagareta, Kimi Matar, Camille McCormack, Jean E. Rolles, Madison Shimada and Barbara Wong.

Honoree Carolyn A. Berry stands between Coralie Chun Matayoshi, CEO for the American Red Cross, Hawaii State Chapter, and Dr. Lawrence Tseu.

Berry showed up dressed for the occasion in Tiffany blue, though she said she didn’t plan it that way. It’s such an iconic color that I can’t fathom not thinking “Tiffany” when I see it. I don’t know how such a coincidence could happen, but there was an even bigger coincidence when most of those seated at honorary chairman Dr. Lawrence Tseu’s table, all showed up in white. His guests included Al and Charlyn Masini, Leilani Keough, Mrs. Hawaii 2007 Nadine Wise, and Mona Wood. Tseu had only asked them to wear hats, but as it turned out, only the host and Max Sword turned out in darker colors.

The Masinis dressed in white at Tseu’s table, as did Leilani Keough, right.

Everyone else must have felt the psychic fashion vibe. Funny. I had felt it too that morning while getting dressed, probably because it’s getting closer to summer. I was drawn to a white top sewn from vintage cotton and lace and put it on. But the only thing I had to match it was a pair of white eyelet pants and wasn’t in the mood for that, so I switched to a purple Gaultier sundress.

Models in Angel Sanchez dresses and Tiffany jewelry made their way from table to table to tempt attendees with diamonds, allowing them to try pieces on if they so desired.

I was wondering why I’d never seen the style of Celeste Hong, left, and Melissa Lum Quilica on the streets of Honolulu before Sunday. I was so excited, but unfortunately, they have to go home to L.A.!

I had to take a photo of Melissa Lum Quilica and Celeste Hong as soon as I saw them. Celeste was wearing a vintage dress of silk sari fabric and vintage gold metallic belt, while Melissa wore a dress by Renee Bardot that she bought because it reminded her of Narciso Rodriquez’s clever, minimalist designs. An interior designer, Melissa had dyed her satin wedding shoes in a tea-like color, so they matched the “bib” of the dress.

Yay! I’m always so happy when I meet people who share an enthusiasm for fashion. Melissa said I should see Celeste’s closet and if I could have invited myself over, I would have. Unfortunately, they live in L.A.! (more…)

By Nadine Kam

Warner Bros. photos and illustrations

Just saw the preview for “Speed Racer.” Not really one for the kids; not for adults either. It’s totally about the creative set: game designers, animators, and believe it or not, the fashion crowd. Well, I had to look at something being that the story is simple, the dialog campy, the characters cardboardy, but the clothes they do work with everything that’s going on in CGI. Let’s just say it’s the first film that ever made me feel like running off to Hollywood to be a stylist on a costume crew.

The weird thing about the movie is that it is so futuristic yet it’s actually set in the early to mid-1950s. They reference a pivotal 1943 race when Speed was about 10 and the action takes place in his young adulthood. The costumes reflect the period with crisp polo shirts, sleek sheath dresses and other narrow, spare silhouettes. The early half of the film is full of bright primary and complementary colors and a lot of royal purple. In the final Grand Prix race icy silver, metallics and brocades dominate. Total eye candy. It was so retro, yet so contemporary it didn’t look much different from what’s on high-end retail racks today.

As I watched the credits scrolling I noted they had one vintage buyer on staff. What a great job, though I imagine it must have been difficult to come up with costumes that could hold their own against such a fantasy landscape.

Of course, being susceptible to images, I have a new inspiration for my summer wardrobe, and it’s not Christina Ricci, but the Korean pop star Rain as the racer Taejo.

By Nadine Kam

If you’re looking for something to do tonight, mixmix is hosting a First Friday event with Japan stylist Hiro from Tokyo, and Yoshi “Garo” Ogino of Affloat from Aoyama, where he is known as
a beauty magician from his work on fashion shows, TV productions, celebrities and models. They’ll be performing hair and makeup makeovers from 7:30 p.m.

It’ll be a busy weekend with the following also going on:

Today through May 11

>> This is your reminder that Mother’s Day is on May 11. To help you shop for the occasion, Alliway at Ward Warehouse is hosting a Mother’s Day sales event, with 35 percent off Alliway jewelry and including gift wrapping. While there, enter to a $10 gift certificate to the store by entering its monthly “count the beads” contest. Information: 589-1141.

Saturday

The Pretty Me line of kids and women’s wear will be highlighted in Kahala Mall’s “Wild for Mom” family fashion show at 12:30 p.m. on center stage at Kahala Mall. Pretty Me is co-sponsoring the show with Kahala Kids, the exclusive retailer of Pretty Me clothes at the mall. Other retailers to be featured are Adore, Banana Republic, Blush, Calista, Cinnamon Girl, In My Closet, Kahala Kids, Macy’s, Ohelo Road, Shasa Emporium, Sunglass Hut and VUE Hawaii.

Sunday

>> The Hawaii Red Cross honors eight founding members of the Tiffany Circle at a Halekulani Luncheon on Sunday, highlighted by a prize drawing for three pieces of Tiffany jewelry.
Honorees are Carolyn A. Berry, Joey Harris, Kitty Lagareta, Kimi Matar, Camille McCormack, Jean E. Rolles, Madison Shimada and Barbara Wong. The event will begin with a noon champagne reception, silent auction and informal modeling by Tiffany & Co. jewelry, also featuring fashion by New York designer Angel Sanchez. Tickets are $250, to benefit American Red Cross services in Hawaii. Call 739-8151.

>> Honolulu Theatre for Youth hosts a fundraiser “Fashion Fiesta Children’s Fashion Show and Luncheon,” 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Kahala Hotel & Resort. The fashion show will feature 50 kids of all ages, wearing apparel from Cinnamon Girl, Crazy Shirts, Hawaiian Moon, Fighting Eel, Pretty Me (at Kahala Kids), Local Motion, In4Mation, CupCake Boutique, Muumuu Heaven, Nakea Awai and KariJane. If you’re attending, wear a hat. HTY will honor the fanciest, largest and funniest hat worn by a guest. (Speaking of which, I’m doing tea today and forgot to wear one, even though excuses to wear a hat are so rare.) Tickets are $125. Call Tim Bostock, 521-9699, or e-mail tbp@artsatmarks.com.

>> Student designers from Honolulu Community College will show their work in “Behind the Seams,” a fashion show taking place at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel, with more than 100 original designs from 20 students, including seven seniors. The show starts at 1 p.m., preceded by lunch at 11:30 a.m. Tickets are $35. Call 845-9203.