By Nadine Kam

Nadine Kam photos
After the Nordstrom Beauty Trend Show, Gail Shiraishi, left, and Melissa Chang show the gift bags women received for attending.

Nordstrom hosted its first Beauty Trend Event Saturday morning, which had hundreds of women waking up early on the weekend for a live 7:30 a.m. QVC-like introduction to some of the newest beauty products on the market.

The lineup was nowhere as crazy as last year’s grand opening tailgate event, just because seating was limited to the first who paid $15 to attend, but there were still a lot of women in the house, who made their way to the third floor through a gauntlet of cheering Nordstrom employees.

There were a few pieces of clothing by BCBG Max Azria, Laundry by Shelli Segal, Sue Wong, Radio Fiji and Trina Turk shown during the event, but the focus was on the face, with presentations divided into three segments of videos and live information sessions on Beauty Trends, Beauty Secrets and Beauty Values. A show of hands revealed only a few of those in the house had ever attended one of Nordstrom’s beauty events on the mainland.

Midweek style editor Yu Shing Ting is in the chair talking with Jamie O’Banion, president and co-creator of the Organicare line of organic skin care.

There were about a dozen presenters delivering quick, exuberant pitches and giving away various kits and sets that would be available for purchase on the sales floor immediately following the presentations. About 24 brands, from Chanel to Dr. Zein Obagi’s Z.O. Skin Health, were offering gifts with purchase. A lot of the new textures and blendability factor of new products are amazing, making the intro of sheer color to one’s look virtually dummy proof.

Two views of model Connor Lane, at Nordstrom Saturday, and at right, in a Bravo photo from “Project Runway.” I worked with him on a photo shoot for the February-March edition of HI Luxury magazine. You can pick up the magazine on newsstands; the photos go online in April.

Model Connor Lane was tasked with delivering the prizes to the winners, while dressed in clothing from Nordstrom’s men’s department. Those with a sharp eye and good memory might have seen Connor in the Season 4 “Project Runway” (Christian Siriano’s season) episode featuring Tiki Barber and a menswear competition. Connor was dressed by Elisa Jimenez in an ochre velveteen vest with dark-gray pants and brown long-sleeved shirt. The rest of us know Elisa only as the crazy “spit girl,” but Connor said she was fine to work with. It’s just another case of reality TV hyping overemphasizing one strange incident.

Makeup stylist RC Stephens of NARS and Hank Hoffman, National Artistry Trainer for Smashbox Cosmetics, delivered high-energy presentations worthy of their runway ready brands. Hoffman was the last to work the runway, so it was a little harder to get the crowd revved up. I’d say most women were tired, getting hungry and were probably feeling fuzzy minded by then. But their energy quickly returned with his call to check out the Smashbox beauty value kits that were being offered exclusively at Nordstrom: the company’s Smashbox’s Fashion Week Glam Box Pro Kit ($68) and Complexion Kit ($48) of season must-haves. Rushing downstairs, I saw dozens of women with the Glam Boxes in hand, as well as other kits mentioned during the event.

I returned the next day, when it was saner, for a chat with Hank Hoffman about what’s coming up at Smashbox. He’s pictured with Nordstrom’s Heather Olsen.

I shot some video of Hank for some general lessons on applying eyeliner and achieving a smoky eye, made easy with a combination of Smashbox’s gel liner and creaseless shadow. You can go to www.smashbox.com (go to “Get the Look,” then “Videos”) for pro videos of him demonstrating how to achieve different looks, along with step-by-step guides to tools and color products used.

Laila — The Essence of Norway creator Geir Ness gives Jen Yamane a hand massage with his lightly scented hand cream. Where there are hand massages, there’s always a line.

By Nadine Kam

Nadine Kam photos
Adore owners Tasha Matsubara, left, and Mayumi Villiatora welcomed fashion fans at the balloon-festooned boutique entrance.

Adore marked its one-year anniversary at Kahala Mall Saturday afternoon with an in-store celebration and launch of its private label girls’ line Adore Me, plus the opportunity to meet Allison Izu Song of Allison Izu Premium Petite Denim, Traci Morinaga of Midori Jewelry, and Marco Saheb of European Image Consulting.

Shoppers could also nibble on souffle truffles from Godiva Chocolatier and mini red velvet cupcakes from Hokulani Bake Shop.

Style consultant Trevor Yamamoto with Allison Izu, who was offering personal fittings and 25 percent off her skinny petite denim line, plus one of her free signature petite-themed tank tops with purchase. I can vouch for the fit of the tank tops, which look “normal” but are cut shorter from shoulder to armpit for a better fit on petite bodies. And her dark denim of course, that can be dressed up or down, and her pencil skirt, which also goes with so many tops.

Along with new collections, there were a lot of sales items including steals on Lyric Culture T-shirts at $9.97, marked down from about $80. At that price I didn’t even have to try on the “Super Freak” T-shirt, printed with the lyrics of the Rick James song. Also picked up a dress, for less than $20, with a print and weight similar to a vintage Lanvin shirtdress I have. It was the last one though.

Lyric Culture’s Super Freak shirt over my manikin instead of on it since my b.f. has adopted it as his jacket rack. I was looking for a striped T-shirt. Yay!

By Nadine Kam

Tween Dora

Say it ain’t so, but Dora the Explorer is growing up. Mattel and Nickelodeon recently introduced a tween version of Dora, a preview of a new line to be introduced this fall, and parents are not too happy. They want their own daughters to stay little girls, untainted by the twin realms of fashion and commerce, for as long as possible.

Young Dora the Explorer

The new Dora won’t replace the preschooler version aimed at little ones. It’s just that little girls do grow up in spite of parental controls, and preschool Dora just wouldn’t be cool to an 8-year-old, hence the trendy new look.

This follows Strawberry Shortcake’s makeover, from Raggedy Ann-shabby chic simplicity to a Disney-esque heroine look which includes a thinner face, longer strawberry colored hair and yes, a trendier cap and clothing.

Considering it’s been 30 years since Strawberry Shortcake’s debut, I guess she’s due. Tastes change.

.

By Nadine Kam

Congratulations to Shayna, mINCe and dimwit who won the Geir Ness kits. I will contact you soon.

By Nadine Kam

Miu Miu photo
Miu Miu’s Hawaii Exclusive bag is $795.

To mark the opening of its new Ala Moana Center boutique, Miu Miu is offering a Hawaii Exclusive purse, of which only 50 are available.

There will be a lot of exclusives and specials at the center in the coming week as Nordstrom and the Nordstrom Wing prepare to celebrate their anniversaries, and as the mall gears up for the start of Shop A Le’a Monday.

Nordstrom gets the party rolling with its Day of Beauty event Saturday, beginning with an early morning fashion show that sold out last week.

Win one of three gift kits from Laila Essence of Norway creator Geir Ness.

One of the special guests for the event is the perfumer behind Laila — the essence of Norway, Geir Ness. He sent in advance a few kits containing samples of his products, including mini Laila (for women) and Geir (for men) fragrances, hand-and-body cream, and Luscious Lip Tingle lipgloss in a Watermelon Breeze color. They come in a cute leopard-trimmed envelope and I have three to give away. Just let me know via comment if you want to be included, by noon March 20, and you’ll be entered into a drawing for one of the kits. (more…)

By Nadine Kam

Nadine Kam photos
Relaxing under the tent after the show.

The very busy Anne Namba hosted a “Dream Wedding” event with Hawaii Bride & Groom magazine, this time at her Kamani Street salon on Sunday. I arrived to find the small parking lot transformed with the addition of a tent draped in the interior with gold dupioni silk.

It was a fabulous place to hang out after most of the guests had left. I told her I wanted to live there, and could actually see people transforming bedrooms to get the same draped, cocoon effect that was the work of Alex Garcia of Mood. It was a thing of beauty that took nine hours to set up and was taken down later that day to get the storefront back to normal by Monday.

All of a sudden I understood the appeal of tent living to Mughal emperors. I had written a story for HI Luxury a while ago, which mentioned these moveable palaces. How wonderful to have been able to pack up and go anywhere.

Garcia and his wife Yvonne Chapman of Yvonne Floral Design were among the vendors Namba considers among the best on the island, who were invited to participate in the bridal event. Also represented were Cakeworks, Kiss & Makeup, jewelry from The Meng Dynasty, A Perfect Day wedding coordination, Blue Nalu Photography, invitations from Stacey Emi Shiroma of Emi Ink, and Ninja Entertainment Productions.

It would be cool to have another fashion show under a tent like the one Nordstrom staged last year. But that must have been one very expensive show and who has the budget these days? Apparently, brides to be, who the vendors say will cut back on their guest list before cutting back on perfection in every other aspect of their wedding.

Variations of Ann: From left, Julie Ann Aragaki, Anne Namba and Anna Meng teamed up to present a “Dream Weddings” event in conjunction with Hawaii Bride & Groom magazine. Meng dressed Namba’s model brides in diamonds, and put the designer in a $45,000 necklace of 18K white gold with 12.98 carats of white diamonds and 9.53 carats of cognac diamonds, plus $29,000 diamond earrings.

You’ll see many examples of Namba’s bridal gowns across this blog with a search for Namba’s name, but here’s a rare detail shot.

Designing duo, Yvonne Chapman and Alex Garcia, who specialize in mood setting. Below are two examples of Chapman’s floral work on view at the event.

This floral arrangement incorporates variegated kale.

Feathers give this bouquet a playful feel.

Fondant wedding cake from Cake Works.

Julie Ann relaxes after the event with her husband Keith.

By Nadine Kam

Nadine Kam photos
Bare Escentual’s International Makeup Artist Bravon Pascua with Valerie DeRoos, who attended Pascua’s master class Friday and won his first appointment of the day this morning at the Ala Moana boutique.

Bare Escentuals’ International Makeup Artist Bravon Pascua was happy to be home again for two days of appearances, including a Friday master class at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. It was a great deal for newbies to the line of mineral-based cosmetics, who, for $75 got breakfast, $150 worth of BE products, first crack at pre-season products and more BE door prizes.

I caught up with Bravon at the store Saturday, where he was performing makeovers, including his first of the day with Valerie DeRoos, who had attended the master class. He’s a great people person, which is an advantage for BE as he travels the globe and women lay out all their cosmetic questions and problems, information that is then turned into products.

The company has added skin care to its mix, SPF 30 sun protection as much for the hands and decollete as for the face, and are at work on an eye cream and serum, plus little technical innovations, like a sifter for their mineral products that will keep powdery messes to a minimum.

“We always listen to our clients,” he said. “They pretty much build our products.”

While some across the Internet are wondering how to get their hands on preview items such as a Mother’s Day trio of kits dubbed “Free to BE naturally,” plus a quartet of Flowers Buxom lipglosses (pictured below), those in Hawaii could get them over the weekend.

The Mother’s Day kits ($39.50) otherwise won’t be available until about mid-April. Each comes with shadow, shimmer and blush colors plus corresponding lipgloss packed into a clutch to suit your mom’s style, whether Classic, Elegant or Adventurous.

Quartet of Flowers Buxoms (standing outside the pink box), is one of the pre-season items being offered this weekend only, before formal introduction in mid-April.

Bravon’s makeup kit.

Valerie examines Bravon’s work in a mirror.

By Nadine Kam

Nadine Kam photos
The storefront minutes after the Miu Miu name was added at far right.

Miu Miu opened its doors at Ala Moana Center this morning and I had to make the tough decision of rolling out of bed at 7 a.m. for the 8:30 a..m. blessing, or stay home and convalesce. I don’t know, maybe standing in the rain last week at the Royal was too much for me, combined with the stress of appearing in two traffic courts at the same time Monday. (Totally dismissed, of course!) I was moving at that typical local uncle’s glacial pace by Wednesday, and stayed home completely on Thursday.

I was awake anyway, before the alarm went off, and was debating the merits of going out in the rain again, or staying in bed, and bed was winning. I could always go later in the day, because the store will be there, but then I started thinking about parking and how nightmarish it would be any time after 9 a.m.

I wanted to snag a space in the sweet spot just beyond the new addition, behind and between Nordstrom and J. Crew-on-the-Island, which makes it easy to traverse the mall in any direction.

One of Miu Miu’s mosaic design dresses.

By the time I got there at 9 a.m., I found I could have stayed in bed because the kahu was late and wouldn’t be there until 10:30 a.m. Prada area manager Joseph Incao took charge and welcomed employees and first customers into the store. The blessing would have to wait.

It’s funny to me how these stores remind me of the process of sending newspapers to print at the last second, in that I’ve seen so many instances in which they’re always fitting the last tiles just before the guests arrive. With luck, you don’t see the menehune behind the magic, but this time the menehune were in plain view: Roberto Stefanini, Franco La Rosa, Rudi Malisani and Simone Gazzetti, who had come from Italy a month-and-a-half ago to work on the boutique. They were putting up one the finishing touches, the Miu Miu name on the storefront.

Prada area manager Joseph Incao, right, welcomes staffers to their new home.

One of the first shoppers inside the store was a woman headed to the airport, left, who couldn’t leave town without something from Miu Miu. She entered with large black suitcase in tow. (more…)

By Nadine Kam

Miu Miu photos
Katie Holmes in the latest campaign.

Duuuudes! Miu Miu opens tomorrow in Ala Moana Center in the former Prada spot, before they moved next door to Chanel. Need I say more?

By Nadine Kam

Nadine Kam photos
KITV4’s Pamela Young hams it up as Butterfly, as layers of her wedding ensemble are removed, revealing the transition from virginal white to the red of passion.

Anne Namba is one superwoman, able to leap from retail to custom work, while also taking time to outfit 120 performers for the Savonlinna Opera Festival production of “Madame Butterfly,” without breaking a sweat. I never sense a “Woe is me, I have all this work to do” attitude in her. If we talk about challenges in her work, she just laughs. Challenges make her happy and seem to give her extra energy.

Guests of Hawaii Opera Theatre and the Halekulani were treated to a preview of some of the costumes she created for the world-famous Finland festival, as well as the set designs of local-born architect Dean Shibuya during a champagne brunch March 8 that raised $14,000 for HOT.

While many designers have enough trouble showing one collection, Anne showed four. First was a Madame Butterfly spring/summer collection based on the butterfly print she created for the opera, her regular collection, her couture creations, and finally, the opera costumes.

It was great to see Shibuya’s slide show of photographs he’d taken in Finland, of the pastoral locale and the venue, Olavinlinna (St. Olaf’s Castle), which was built in 1475. Anne talked about it during our interview for the story of her work in the production, but it’s one thing to listen to the words, and another to see the grandeur of the castle as theater, and how its stone walls provide a backdrop as majestic as the stories brought to life.

The other thing she mentioned was the difficulty pronouncing and reading Finnish words, which is one of the jokes running through “Confessions of a Shopaholic.” The festival’s head of productions, Jukka Pohjolainen, was in town to attend the event and check up on Anne’s progress, and on paper his name didn’t look all that difficult to pronounce, but what came out of his mouth sounded quite different from what I was expecting. Part of it is because the language lacks the expected “j” sound. It’s a language that rates a 5-star difficulty level at http://how-to-learn-any-language.com.

That’s one of the reasons I enjoy the blog format that allows for a combination of words, photos and video, that help create a bigger picture of what’s out there.

Hawaii Opera Theatre general and artistic director Henry Akina congratulates Anne Namba at the show’s close, with set designer Dean Shibuya at right.

Pauline Taumalolo and Jacqueline Quirk, right, performed Tutti Fior, the Flower Duet from “Butterfly.”

The Butterfly print is available in styles geared toward evenings.

Two of Anne Namba’s brocades.

Outside the Halekulani, the valets admired this Jag.