By Nadine Kam

Nadine Kam photos
Honolulu Community College fashion technology students presented examples of centerpieces for their May 3 fashion show, themed “Masquerade.”

All-around creative Amos Kotomori is the instructor for Honolulu Community College’s fashion show production course and called me up to sit in on one of the student sessions.

It’s just as well that I’m on this side of the biz, the editorial part, because I know the amount of work involved in conceiving, showing and producing a line, and as I watched the student presentations and took in the enormity of their plans, I just felt tired.

Each designer, with the help of a student producer, will be designing his/her own segment, from staging to lighting to makeup, hair and accessory details, with many sharing models. I would hate to be the person in charge of that lineup, making sure models are spaced so they can complete work with one designer before being redone head to toe for the next. Talk about stress.

The story and photos will be in the paper tomorrow, when, after two weeks of running fashion stories Fridays, I’m moving back to my usual Thursday home. Yes, we’re still trying to figure out what fits where in our new tabloid-size configuration, but hopefully this will be the last move for the fashion pages.

Thanks for your patience!

Storyboards showed some of the students’ inspirations for the event. Designers came in with their own hair, makeup and staging concepts.

By Nadine Kam

Nadine Kam photos
From left, Coralie Chun Matayoshi, CEO of the American Red Cross, Hawaii state chapter, welcomed actress Nancy Kwan, Al Masini and Norbert Meisel to the organization’s annual luncheon fundraiser.

There was no fashion show this time around during the Red Cross annual luncheon fundraiser that took place Saturday afternoon at the Kahala Hotel & Resort, but red was the color of the day.

Guests who made the blood/red connection (I didn’t, DOH!) donned the color while bidding on hotel stays, wine, dinner parties, restaurant gift certificates, and more, while helping to contribute to Red Cross coffers.

Over a fabulous lunch of summery gazpacho and grilled salmon with ‘Nalo greens, Coralie Chun Matayoshi, CEO of the American Red Cross, Hawaii state chapter, reminded guests of the value of their contributions. The Red Cross is a non-government emergency-response organization that comes to the aid of disaster victims, helping to provide food, clothing, shelter, counseling and financial assistance.

I think most people would be surprised by the number of disasters that take place here almost daily, which makes fundraising important. Recent house fires come to mind, and those involve only a handful of people. I try not to think about all the bad things that can happen on an island, especially now that Superferry is not an evacuation option.

I bid on, but didn’t get this ring.

The fun and not-so-fun part of it was the silent auction. After being 0-6 at two events by now, I think I’m just really bad at it. I like online auctions much more because it’s impersonal. You can snipe and no one’s there to give you stink eye.

Red being the color of the day, I bid on the ruby cabochon ring above, appraised at $3,000 and I believe it was from Gump’s. (Yes, it’s a purple ruby.) It looked a little old-fashioned and stodgy sitting there, but Dale Young had a ring with the same stone and encouraged me to try it on. It fit and looked great, so I bid the minimum $400. But what I really wanted was the vintage aquamarine and diamond watch below. I placed the minimum $300 and figured odds were good that I’d get it. I didn’t think anyone else would fit it because the band was about 5-3/4 inches. It was made for me. It was … destiny.

Unfortunately, someone else did place a bid, and through much of lunch, she was just standing there guarding her bid. I was sitting next to a developer and businessman, so I asked him what I should do. Well, that was easy for him.

“Swoop in and take the pen,” he said.

The watch that got away.

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By Nadine Kam

Nadine Kam photos
Escada Ala Moana store manager Mariese Montano-Smith, in brown, welcomed, from left, Kerry Maese, Candes Gentry and Audra Stevenson.

Escada hosted a party Thursday night to honor patrons of the arts, with 10 percent of sales that evening benefiting the Honolulu Academy of Arts.

There was informal modeling of current styles, and if there wasn’t a model near you, party-goers were perfectly willing to step in to show off the goods.

On my way out the door, I stopped to enlist one of the male models at the door for future HI Luxury photo ops. There’s a dearth of male models here who can wear skinny European brands. Everyone works out too much! Unfortunately, he was just passing through, but if you know any good-looking, tall but compact, manly not boyish guys, a lot of modeling agencies would probably love hearing from them.

Kristen Chan, left, and Annemarie Jones try on a couple of Escada bracelets/armor.

Soon-to-be-wed former Miss Hawaii USA Jennifer Fairbank slips on a pair of Escada shades and purse. She’s with Roycen Dehmer.

Rochelle Ovitt as a manikin. The homegrown model/actress has been crisscrossing the country modeling for Escada. Her next stop is New York. You can also look for her in an upcoming episode of “Nip/Tuck.”

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By Nadine Kam

If you’re a spontaneous person, ready to pack and leave for Vegas at a moment’s notice, Aveda Lifestyle Salon & Spa at Ala Moana Center has just added a Vacations-Hawaii five-night charter package for two (value: $1,198) to its Earth Month silent auction.

The flight will depart at 1 p.m. April 30 from Honolulu to Vegas and return at 11:15 a.m. May 5 (departing at 8 a.m. Vegas time). The winner will spend five nights at the Fremont Hotel with three meals daily, and airport transfers are included.

At least one guest must be a Hawaii resident or active military based in
Hawaii, and guests must be 21 years or older to receive meal coupons.

To bid, send an e-mail to ikaikacomm@hawaii.rr.com with your bid (minimum is $125) today, April 23. The deadline is 5 p.m.

Provide your name, age, telephone number and address. The highest bid received by 5 p.m. will win the trip. The winner will be notified by Aveda Lifestyle Salon & Spa, and directed to Vacations-Hawaii for their tickets.

Like this one, other auctions, continuing through April 30, will benefit the Surfrider Foundation-Oahu chapter. Stop into the salon to bid on services, Aveda products, restaurant gift certificates and more.

By Nadine Kam

Fashionwiredaily.com photos

If you’re planning to get married, there’s no need to rush. Wait until Spring 2010 and Vera Wang will deliver wedding gowns that look more couture than traditional, with lots of assymmetry, clouds of tulle and the overall look of delicious, uncontrolled imperfection.

I can’t imagine these gowns would play to middle-of-the-road tastes, but fashionable marriage resisters might say “I do” just to wear one of these creations.

Check out the story and take a look at the slide show at fashionwiredaily

By Nadine Kam

Nadine Kam photos
Moani Hara models an origami-inspired dress by Alysia Himoto.

TV fashion reality situations seem so controlled there’s no room for the serendipitous times when good images emerge from plain dumb luck. (Don’t look at mine, but wait for photographer Jamm Aquino’s to appear in Friday’s print edition.)

That’s what happened when I was previewing the University of Hawaii at Manoa Apparel Product Design and Merchandising seniors’ designs for their show coming up Sunday at noon at Pacific Beach Hotel. Usually we use the Art Department Building because, well, it’s art. Even in its messiest nooks, it possesses an uncalculated, chaotic beauty.

Designer Erin Ludolph arranges the obi on model Jenna Gyotoku.

Its bamboo forest was perfect for the students’ “Alice in Wonderland” theme, while harsher backdrops worked with more structured origami-inspired creations.

Nevertheless, we were there two hours and started to repeat backdrops, so one of the instructors asked if we wanted to take a look at the blacksmithing workshop.

Yeah!

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By Nadine Kam

A/X photo

I’ve been working on men’s fashion spreads for HI Luxury lately, and the good thing about that is, it keeps me out of departments where I’m most likely to spend money. These days, who isn’t trying to save?

That doesn’t mean I’m fully out of the danger zone. While schlepping bags of clothing from Ala Moana Center Sunday through today, I passed by the A/X store several times and spied this one-shoulder green dress in the window. I think if I had just seen it once, it would have flitted out of my head. I surely don’t need a one-shoulder dress. I’m always relieved to see trends I can pass on, but seeing it over and over just breaks a person down sometimes, and you start thinking, “Hey, I can make that work.”

Store windows, when they’re working, act like repeated advertising messages. Who doesn’t know Geico by now, or McD’s catchy Filet O’ Fish song, and now, Jack’s Mini Sirloin Burger jingle?

I’m seeing a lot of pretty summer dresses everywhere now. But each time I passed this particular dress, I was reminded of its beautiful Asian skin-enhancing color, feminine grace, season suitability and how perfect it would be for a weekend lunch date. With warm weather ahead, I think I’m finally ready to drop the winter wardrobe/colors, so, looks like it’s my first summer acquisition.

Here are a few places to drop some cash this weekend:

Bamboo Sky: Is celebrating its third anniversary Saturday and Sunday with a sale and trunk show event featuring Florencia Arias, Veronica M, and Ginger13. Ginger13 will be offering gems starting at $10. There will also be free goodie bags while supplies last, with qualifying purchases, plus sales of 10 to 50 percent off. The boutique is at 401 Kamakee St. Call 591-8003.

Diesel: Save 30 percent on all merchandise (excludes Only the Brave fragrance) through April 19. Diesel is offering Diesel Black Money: 30 percent off outlaw notes to be used immediately inside every store. If you’re somewhere far from the Ala Moana and Kalakaua stores, like Perth or Pernambuco, Brazil, you can also shop online at www.diesel.com.

Stuart Weitzman, Ala Moana: From 3 to 6 p.m. Saturday, you will have an opportunity to get 10 to 50 percent off on your entire purchase of anything in the store by drawing a card with a discount number. Call 941-4371 if you need more info.

In celebration of Earth Day, Trend-Events, Inc., in cooperation with 2Flip Productions, Ltd., is
holding its first semi-annual Rock ‘N Swap event on April 19, 2009 at the new Oceans 808 in Restaurant Row.

Rock ‘N Swap: In celebration of Earth Day, coming up on the 22nd, Trend-Events, Inc., and 2Flip Productions, Ltd., are hosting their first swap event 7:30 p.m. April 19 at Oceans 808 in Restaurant Row. The event offers a guilt-free chic solution for women of all ages, styles and sizes to bring and swap clean, gently used clothing and accessories that would typically be trashed or donated. The event will feature fashion, beauty products and service booths, complimentary spa treats, mini makeovers, eco-centric fashion shows, entertainment, drink specials and prizes. A portion of funds received and any unclaimed items will benefit The Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence. Tickets are $10 pre-sale, online at www.islandtix.com or call toll free at 1-888-394-SWAP. Cost at the door is $15. Doors open at 5 p.m. to submit swapping merchandise. For more information, call Rubi Etrata at (818) 748-5887 or visit www.rock-n-swap.com.

By Nadine Kam

Nadine Kam photos
At Kawaii Kon Saturday, Monchalee Steiger is Kanu Unchou.

If I return to Kawaii Kon next year, I gotta get myself a costume. Walking among those dressed as their favorite characters, it felt strange to be walking around in mainstream clothes. No. 1 rule of fashion after all, is to dress to the occasion, or bring it, in your own unique way of course.

I cover so many fashion stories, but it’s hard to parachute into the anime/manga/cosplay/Lolita worlds because they have a language and depth all their own, which can’t be learned in a couple of days. I tried to get it right.

Bryce Saito, left, is Suzaku from “Code Geass.”

Look around and you’ll always find drama at Kawaii Kon.

Christian Martin in character as M. Bison, from “Street Fighter.”

Yes there are human beings in there. Won Park, left, and Danielle Tubania are Transformers.

Capturing the moment.

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By Nadine Kam

Nadine Kam photos

I lost one of my rubber slippers when it fell out of my car at the Hilton Saturday, so I had to look for a new pair on Easter Sunday.

While wandering through Ala Moana Center, I passed the timely Fifi Lapin artist-in-residence display at LeSportsac. So cute! Find out more about the artist and view more of Fifi’s fashion images at http://fifi-lapin.blogspot.com

Of course the job of a window display is to stop people in their tracks and make them walk in the door, where one of the front displays was a Hawaii and Guam exclusive bag bearing images of manapua, coconuts, Spam musubi and other images of island culture. Check it out:

By Nadine Kam

Nadine Kam photos
Princess Kaiulani’s Jill Cullinan on the stage during the ACUW fashion show finale, followed by her mother Joan Andersen. Cathy Foy Mahi, in red, sings in the background.

The Associated Chinese University Women had Easter in mind when they hosted their annual scholarship fashion show “Generations of Aloha” yesterday at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Tapa Room.

The event, featuring designs by Princess Kaiulani Fashions, put several families on the runway to reflect multi-generational style that can be worn by tykes and pre-teens to tutus. Of course when you talk about families, it starts with the formidable Andersen clan behind the brand. The company started by John and Joan Andersen is marking its 50th anniversary this year, but Joan traces her fashion roots back to her great-grandfather, who manufactured shoes in New England, a business taken up by her father, who started making plantation work shoes in Hawaii in 1933.

The show opened with an auction of Easter-ready bonnets, modeled by Joan and her daughters Jill Cullinan and Judi Andersen Harrison, who also modeled in the show, as they had when they were girls. The show brought three generations of the family to the stage.

PK president Jill Cullinan models a hat that was auctioned for $175. In the background, Joan wears a hat that went for more than $200.

ACUW president Dorothy Mau and her daughter Beverly, the event’s general fundraising chair, wear their Easter hats.

In 1999, Jill Cullinan created a historical fashion show, working with agreement of the Bishop Museum to recreate garments worn by Hawaii’s monarchs, beginning with Queen Kaahumanu. I’d seen the show presented on other occasions, but not in context with Princess Kaiulani designs. It was interesting to see the garments’ evolution and lineage of PK style, which has long been associated with Hawaii formal wear and the elegance of the shapely holomuu and holoku.

One example of royal splendor.

Lilac was a favorite color of the young Lili‘uokalani, who most of us associated with black she wore as queen in protest of the United States takeover of her island nation.

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