By Nadine Kam

Nadine Kam photos
The Island Living table was marked by natural wood, seashells and Hawaii flora combined with Hosta stainless steel, Atticus ceramic ware, Tadeusz Wrzesniak cut-swirl goblets and Krosno amber balloon stemware from Neiman Marcus.

C.S. Wo and Neiman Marcus have teamed up once again to share ideas for dressing the holiday table during “At Home for the Holidays,” with five tables on display through Sunday.

Click on the photo of Kellie and Bradley Wo to see video of the holiday displays.

The showcase opened with a morning celebration on Nov. 23, with guests treated to music by the Holiday String Quartet, Kellie and Bradley Wo, Christmas caroling with Diamond Head Theatre’s Shooting Stars and dessert tables, including a chocolate fountain, provided by Diamond Head Market & Grill and chef Kelvin Ro.

Early duing the event, there was a long line for a dip in the chocolate fountain. Party-goers could feel righteous, choosing lots of fresh fruit, including pineapple, cantaloupe and strawberries to go with their chocolate.

Gold dot china by Dibbern was the inspiration for a table with the Midas touch.

Wendell Wo, right, greeted guests Michael and Kristen Chan.

Bob Wo, left, with newlyweds Candes Gentry and Milan Drager, Joey Caldarone and Neiman Marcus’ Doug Jago.

By Nadine Kam

Happy Thanksgiving!

This week has been a short, quick one for us and because of the holiday, Thursday’s Style section had to go to press Tuesday morning. (Take a look for info on a couple of jewelry drawings!) As a result, we didn’t get to list some of the Black Friday promotions going on tomorrow. Here are a few that didn’t get into the paper:

View the new designs at Anteprima, Ala Moana Center.

Anteprima: From 6 to 10 a.m. at the Ala Moana Center boutique only, receive a limited edition Anteprima music CD with a purchase of $100 or more. Check out the brand’s 2009 spring/summer collection of wire handbags while you’re there. Call 983-3886.

Ginger13 Lucite and dragonfly necklace with Swarovski crystal now $15.

Bamboo Sky: Black Friday sale with Indah and up to 80 percent off of Ginger13 jewelry, with prices starting as low as $5. Ginger13 pieces will be presented in a pouch and gift boxed for easy gift-giving. Also shop online for Ginger13 jewelry at Ginger13.com.

The Butik: Doors open at 9 a.m. for a sale Friday in which everything in the store is 25 percent off, including new Fighting Eel. A sidewalk sale will have racks of items up to 75 percentoff. Open til 5 p.m. at 1067 Kapiolani Blvd. Call 593-4484.

Fighting Eel headquarters: Black Friday 25 percent off sale continues to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call 524-1472, or shop online at Fightingeel.com/shop.

Mark your territory at The Kiss.

The Kiss: The line of jewelry for couples is popular in Japan, and the first Hawaii store will open its doors at 6 a.m. Friday for a sale of 20 percent off selected items. Shown are The Kiss Couples necklaces at $120 each. Call 951-5477.

Mellow’s: 18th annual holiday sale with 5 to 50 percent off Hawaiian, vintage and antique fine jewelry. In the Davies Pacific Center 841 Bishop St. Call 533-6333.

Neiman Marcus: Take as much as 65 percent off with Friday and Saturday discounts on top of the continuing Designer prices such as up to 40 percent off on designer sportswear, couture apparel, eveningwear, contemporary and career sportswear, dress collections and initmate apparel; 33 percent off selected designer shoes, handbags, coats and fashion accessories; up to 33 percent off men’s suits, sportswear, sport coats, trouserrs, formalwear, dress shirts, shoes, neckwear and accessories; and 25 percent off selected children’s apparel.

Sak’s Off Fifth: Talk about an extra early start. Shop from midnight tonight to noon Friday and receive 30 percent off your entire purchase. At Waikele Premium Outlets.

Shasa Emporium: Black Friday sale plus, a LynnJean Designs holiday trunk show on Saturday with 20 percent off jewelry from noon to 5 p.m. As for what’s on sale: 50 percent off Shasa private label and Glam clothing; 25 percent off other dresses and tops (excludes consignment items); 25 percent off the entire denim collection; 25 percent off handbags, totes, clutches and wllets (excludes Tylie Malibu and Harvey’s); 25 percent off selected jewelry collections; an additional 25 percent off existing markdowns for a total of up to 90 percent. Also, those who purchase more than $100 worth of merchandise will receive a coupon to use the month of December for discounts off your next purchase.

Split Obsession: The boutique at Koko Marina Shopping Center will be offering 25 percent off all inventory Friday, with favorite brands like Modern Amusement, Flip the Bird, Hype, Paul Frank, Kidrobot, Sweetees, 191 Unlimited, Superlucky Cat, and more. Call 395-3380.

A gift awaits the first 50 to spend $50 at Valerie Joseph.

Valerie Joseph: After Thanksgiving Crazy Sale runs from 6 to 10 a.m. Friday with door-buster discount up to 40 percent off all merchandise, sugar-free treats from Sweet Nothings, and a fluff martini girl makeup bag for the first 50 divas to make a $50 purchase. For those who can’t get out of bed that hour, there will be surprise giveaways and discounts all day, and those who donate two canned goods to benefit Hawaii Food Bank will receive an additional 10 percent off (applicable after door-buster hours).

By Nadine Kam

Another inspired choice by H&M, who announced Monday that its next collaboration will be with British designer Matthew Williamson, who will be creating women’s wear, and for the first time for the designer, a men’s wear collection.

For all the good it does us in Hawaii, the collection will arrive in the stores on April 23, 2009.

He’s noted for his use of color and bold graphic design that led him to work with Pucci, in addition to his own label.

I can’t wait to see what he comes up with. Here’s a taste of his work from his Fall 2008 collection.

By Nadine Kam

Nadine Kam photos
New Vuitton tote in logo neoprene.

After a peek into Express Friday night, it was on to Louis Vuitton with its invitation to experience a “Winter Holiday in Paris” while introducing some of its Resort collection, including quilted handbags and a particularly eye-catching hot pink neoprene handbag.

The invitation welcomed guests to experience a winter holiday in Paris, and the little girl at right was enamored by Pierre Grill’s music evoking the city.

Some joked that it may be the next beach bag, neoprene being so surf, sun and sand resilient and all, but, somehow I don’t think anyone will be plopping this baby down at the beach.

We also saw some of the clothing collection, also in sweet pinks and sky blues.

Louis Vuitton photo

What I’m really waiting to see next year are the new LV diamonds, cut in the shapes of their logo flowers. Definitely for the person who has everything, but I am just amazed they were able to achieve this feat.

Among the guests were, from left, Julie Ann and Keith Aragaki, and Lesli-Ann Yano.

Also there were, from left, Joni Caminos, Kama Kinimaka and Lucilia Lu.

By Nadine Kam

Nadine Kam photo
Model Karen Vance, dressed in sequinned skirt ($98) and a crisp white blouse, stands next to a holiday display at Express, which is divided in half into men’s and women’s sections.

In spite of the news that so many people are unemployed or on the verge of it, up to their noses in credit-card debt and having difficulty paying their necessary bills (rent, mortgage, utilities) on time, it sure didn’t look like anything was amiss at the long-awaited opening of Express Friday.

There was an evening celebration at the newest Ala Moana Center boutique, and both girls and guys came to shop for up-to-the-minute styles at prices somewhere between H&M and Zara. I checked back there late Friday and the crowds hadn’t let up. There were still lines to get to the cashier.

Going for the graphic tees, at $16.50 each.

I haven’t seen this much enthusiasm and quickness to spend in a long time, and I think most people Friday were still shopping for themselves rather than thinking ahead to Christmas. I don’t think they were aware, either, that 15 percent of sales from that evening’s event will go to YWCA of Oahu’s Dress for Success Honolulu program.

Shoppers were greeted with a sale, with some items offered at 40 percent off, and if you’re one of those lunatic Black Friday shoppers, you will be able to take an additional 25 percent off your Express purchase between 6 a.m. and noon that day.

Fun dresses for the holiday season.

Express style expert Kevin Matthews was there to share the company’s fun, flirty holiday collection, as well as help customers with their choices. I was particularly enamored of the black strapless cocktail dress with ostrich feather skirt. Who does ostrich feathers at this price point ($248)? And there are colossal necklaces that appear to have been inspired by Dior.

Matthews said Express’s aim is to be a one-stop shop for all aspects of an individual’s lifestyle — work, leisure and play — from Monday to Sunday.

“There are other brands that do this, but we give amazing fashion that does not break the bank,” he said. The idea is to be able to pick up an outfit and still have money left to go out to dinner or to a club, and for girls, looking so good that someone else will pay for your drinks.

Cheers!

By Nadine Kam

Nadine Kam photos
Before setting foot in the new store, from left, Kahu Kordell Kekoa, Monica Salmaso, Prada area manager Joseph Incao, Candace Konievic and Janet Hagino greeted employees and guests.

Prada dedicated its new Ala Moana store early Friday morning, starting with a blessing by Kahu Kordell Kekoa, whose words, comparing the company’s voyage to that of a Hawaiian sailing canoe crew, brought tears to the eyes of a few.

They were great words applicable to many aspects of life in that, while there is always need for a strong leader/navigator, the vessel is only as great as the sum of its parts and the many crew members who must take equal responsibility for the canoe’s progress.

In addition to purses studded with jewels or covered with paillettes, there are shoes with equal sparkle. The necklace shown is $560, the earrings at lower right are $310. The purple purse is about $850.

Once inside, a small handful of guests were able to check out some pieces from Prada’s resort collection, including shimmering jeweled evening bags in metallic greens, golds and deep violet, as well as purses that sparkle like jewels, with light bouncing off hundreds of tiny, delicate paillettes.

The new store, now on the mall level next to Chanel, is bright and airy. If it looks bigger than the former space, it’s because they also took over the space that formerly housed Loewe.

At top is a display of men’s soft leather goods. At the front of the store is an eye-catching life-size steamer trunk display of handbags.

As for Prada’s former space upstairs, don’t worry, they’re not giving it up. The good news for those not quite ready for Prada, is that come spring, you can look forward to the company’s trendier line Miu Miu, opening in that spot.

Study up:

Prada

Miu Miu

By Nadine Kam

Russell Tanoue photos

Oahu-based glamour and celeb photographer Russell Tanoue is heading to Maui Dec. 6 and 7 and booking appointments — you know who you are — for aspiring models, actors and others in need of graduation or engagement portraits, or gift portraits timed for the holidays.

For a session costing $325, you will be photographed in two looks (including hair and makeup services), and all the high-resolution images on a CD. You will retain full rights to your photos.

Tanoue has built his reputation photographing models for swimsuit and fashion spreads, as well as creating portfolio images for young talents including “America’s Next Top Model’s” Anya, singer Raiatea Helm, “So You Think You Can Dance” finalist Mark Kanemura, actress Kelly Hu, and many more. More of his work can be viewed at www.russelltanoue.com or www.rtfoto.com.

To book, contact Heather at diverseculturehawaii@yahoo.com or email rtfotobooking@aol.com.

By Nadine Kam

Courtesy Loree Rodkin
First Lady Michelle Obama rocks Loree Rodkin earrings at the election night victory rally in Chicago.

Well, the McCain camp got one thing right when, pre-election, they compared Barack Obama to Paris Hilton. It’s the rare political figure who becomes a fashion icon and there has been much talk about his suits (custom-tailored from Chicago clothier Hart Schaffner Marx), as well as his wife Michelle’s (J.Crew and Chicago designer Maria Pinto).

Much was made of Michelle’s black widow dress on election night. Wearing a sweater over it was unfortunate and I thought a suit would have been more appropriate, but her jewelry, by L.A.-based designer Loree Rodkin, sparkled. The white gold and diamond triple dangles with oval, marquee and pear shapes retails for $10,275. You can check out the Ala Moana Center store for more of Rodkin’s fine jewelry and costume designs at a fraction of that price.

Just like Paris, Nicole and the Olsens, we’ll likely to keep getting wardrobe and accessory updates along with the Obamas’ political report cards over the next four years. That has to be good for retailers, who can now lay claim to demographic that usually puts substance before style. To me, the two go hand in hand. It’s possible to have substance, which I read as intelligence and influence, without style, but it’s rarer to find style without intelligence to back it.

By Nadine Kam

If you’re in need of a color boost to lift your spirits, check out the bright juicy colors of the new Rock & Republic line on view at the front counter of Neiman Marcus’s Cosmetics department.

Definitely not for those too timid for shocking pinks and other saturated colors for eyes, lips and cheeks.

And, to add to your sales stops, the Stuart Weitzman boutique at Ala Moana Center is having a sale that starts today, the 20th. Get 30 percent off your first item, 40 percent of your second, and 50 percent off your third and beyond, the latter on select styles only. The sales prices are not applicable online. Call 941-4371 if you need more info.

By Nadine Kam

History was made when Barack Obama was elected president —the first we know of to hit the waves as a surfer and body boarder.

To commemmorate the moment, Crazy Shirts is honoring the Hawaii-born President elect with the release of its “Obama Surfs” white crew-neck T-shirt, available at select retail stores in Hawaii, Laguna Beach and San Diego, as well as online at crazyshirts.com.

“We think it’s really cool that our next President is a kama‘aina and wanted to commemorate this moment in history with a special design,” said Crazy Shirts CEO Mark Hollander. “People around the world saw photos of President-elect Obama showing off his body surfing skills when he was back in Hawaii this summer. Now, we have a shirt that lets everyone know that our next President knows how to live the Crazy Shirts lifestyle, too.”

The front new “Obama Surfs” T-shirt reads “Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness, President Obama 2009,” alongside a wave-riding bodysurfer and the Hawaiian Island chain, while “Obama Surfs” over a barreling wave graces the back. The shirts are available in adult sizes and retail for $25.