By Nadine Kam

Nadine Kam photos
Finale of the Lolita Fashion Show at Kawaii Kon.

There was a lot of lace, eyelet, ribbons and bows during the Lolita Fashion Show that took place Friday as part of Kawaii Kon 2009 at Hawai’i Convention Center. It was fun to watch the creations stitched up by Lauren Lee, as well as Japan brands such as Angelic Pretty and Victorian Maiden and Innocent World.

They showed the range of Lolita style, from gothic to sweet to country Lolitas and elegant gothic aristocrats, as well as demonstrated how to get the Lolita look from traditional stores while shopping on a budget, sourcing pieces from Payless Shoes, Charlotte Russe and Forever 21.

Why, you may have all the pieces for a Lolita outfit in your closet and not even know it! I know I do. That may just be because the shape of the garments are particularly suited to petite figures. It’s one of the few incidences where short girls rule on the runway!

You can learn all about Lolita style at http://lolitafashion.org/ which covers topics ranging from “Anatomy of a Lolita Outfit” to debunking “Lolita Myths.”

A blue belle, thanks to Angelic Pretty.

Lolitas on stage had to compete with Lolitas in the audience, like Salem Sipes.

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By Nadine Kam

Nadine Kam photo
Kawaii Kon’s Lolita fashion show is over, but you can catch two more days of Lolita style, anime dressup and cosplay this weekend at Hawai’i Convention Center.

I’ll be posting more from Kawaii Kon later, but just wanted to let any Lolitas out there know that some of the designs featured in today’s Lolita Fashion Show will be offered for purchase tomorrow during the event at Hawai’i Convention Center. Who could resist a yummy cupcake purse or cake hat like the one in the photo? Lauren Lee will also be there taking orders for her custom dresses.

You can also check out Lolita accessories at “Ever After Creations,” table 45 near the photo booth at Artist’s Alley.

You can find more information about the event at www.kawaii-kon.org

Also going on:

Alliway’s Spring 2009 Nest collection is being offered at 25 percent off through Saturday. Everything else in the store is 15 percent off. The boutique is at Ward Warehouse. Call 589-1141.

Enjoy discounts Easter Sunday at Valerie Joseph, Ala Moana Center.

Stuart Weitzman fans have the opportunity to preview the Fall 2009 shoe and handbag collections and place orders for the styles. Check it out from 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday and Tuesday at the Ala Moana Center boutique. Call 941-4371 for more information.

By Nadine Kam

Nadine Kam photos
Allison Izu makes a statement with denim. Keep your eyes on the jeans.

There’s power in ideas, and when Allison Izu and Emi Hart got together to talk about the dearth of highly visible opportunities for Hawaii’s young designers, a local, ready-to-wear Fashion Week was born. The 10-day event encompassed five nights of fashion shows at Pearl Ultra Lounge, plus a market day that allowed participating designers to sell their apparel and accessories.

Over the week, models for Recycled Sweetheart, Fighting Eel, Indah walked the bar at Pearl. At the event’s finale Saturday night, the lineup featured Allisonizu petite denim, Roberta Oaks dresses and Maggie Coulombe’s sensual, fluid styles.

After putting topless models on the Urban Pacific showcase a year-and-a-half ago, Allison had been wondering how she was going to top that. She sent out models with teasing placards reading “Censored.” Taking pictures from floor level, I was wondering what was going to show up in my photos. When I looked away from the viewfinder, I saw that they were actually covered up with stick-on bras beneath those signs.

Front and back views of one of Roberta Oaks newest dresses.

Maui designer Maggie Coulombe creates clothing for women with Amazon personalities.

Allison Izu, left, and Emi Hart brainstormed and came up with the idea for the local, ready-to-wear Fashion Week.

All the way from Maui, from left, Roxy Chasle, Arid Chappell, Patty Markison, designer Maggie Coulombe, Judi Ellman and photographer MayBelle Santos.

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By Nadine Kam

Miss Universe pageant photos

The Miss Hawaii USA has sent a request for a show of support for Aureana Tseu, who is competing for the title of Miss Universe, along with some online competitions.

Go to http://missuniverse.com/members/signup to vote for Best Hair by CHI and Most Glam photographs.

“It is a little humbug because you must create an account first,” they said by email from Las Vegas. But hey, we supported Jasmine Trias on “American Idol” and Mark Kanemura on “So You Think You Can Dance.”

By Nadine Kam

Nadine Kam photos
Silkworms being raised at Honolulu Community College’s Fashion Technology Department.

It’s the season of fashion shows and with the end of the semester nearing, students at Honolulu Community College and the University of Hawaii at Manoa are busily working on their annual fashion showcases.

I sat in on a production class at HCC today and while a story on the students’ work will eventually appear in print, I also got a chance to see the silkworms being raised in the classroom. That was so cool! The worms were busily munching away on mulberry leaves grown on campus.

One cocoon was boiled with red dye, resulting in 300 to 500 yards of pink silk thread.

Sadly, the worms are boiled in their cocoon to keep their prized silk threads intact. While the moths in the empty cocoons were allowed to hatch, mate and lay eggs, one cocoon was sacrificed so the students could unravel the thread in one 300- to 500-yard filament. It took about 4 hours to unspool.

I was so interested in the worms, instructor Joy Nagaue offered to give me some, but they’re voracious so I’m pretty sure I don’t have time to keep gathering the leaves they require to make their silk, though I would like to see them spin their cocoons.

Hatched cocoons, about the size of peanuts, with the remains of white moths that live only a few days, plus eggs that look like sesame seeds dotting the egg carton to the right of the photo.

By Nadine Kam

Nadine Kam photos
Bessie Fujioka, Junior League of Honolulu president Chris Lau and Debbie Lau got into a tug of war with this Cole Haan purse. Janice Choate-Zavakos joined the fray seconds later.

People can go crazy when there’s a sale. The situation was a little more civil when the polite women of The Junior League of Honolulu hosted the 5th annual Sacs in the City fundraiser April 4, but you could feel anxiety in the air when it was near closing time for the silent auctions.

Dior
Marion Cotillard with a Lady Dior in Dior’s ad campaign.

“It’s gonna get bloody for the Dior,” said Emmy Kasten, who outbid me on said Lady Dior. I made the starting bid for The Lady Dior, at $680 for a purse that retails at $1,950. The one shown was black, which would not have tempted me, but the offer was to choose your own color. The Dior has been on my want list for at least two years.

Emmy was also bidding on a Gucci tote and had Noreen Kam (no relation) guard the bidding sheet while she waited near the Dior, though she called it quits after bidding went over $1,000.

Sacs is all about love of the handbag. There were dozens of luxury and casual purses, totes and clutches up for bid during the silent auction, most starting at a third to a quarter of retail price. Funds raised will benefit the JLH community projects: My Story to help adolescent girls, Kids in the Kitchen to promote nutrition, the HerStory women’s issues conference, and Impact Honolulu short-term projects geared toward children and families.

Balenciaga

I had scooped up my grail bag at Neiman a couple of weeks ago, a Balenciaga City bag like the one above, except in the Mandarin orange color, so even though purses are my weak spot—to me they’re like portable, practical works of art—I felt pretty certain I wouldn’t be tempted to bid on anything. The first thing I spied upon entering the Hilton Hawaiian Village Coral Ballroom was a Cartier evening bag I had admired in the store, at $1,680, offered at a starting bid of $585. Hmmm. At the time I had decided I’d rather save for the Love bangle. That was before the stock market crash when I actually had some spare change. So I kept moving.

A little while later, I ran into Denise Nakano, who was already carrying a very nice Miu Miu, yet pleaded, “Don’t outbid me.”

“I don’t even know what you’re bidding on,” I said. I couldn’t make any promises until I knew what we were talking about, and it just so happened hers was the only bid, thus far, on the Cartier. She must be psychic.

I don’t know if she won, but it did pick up more bids later. It’s tough to compete with the purchasing power of Junior League members and some of the dynastic names in the crowd, like Wo and Watamull.

The Cartier.

Manuheali’i models on the runway during the fashion show segment.

Here’s some video:

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By Nadine Kam

Nadine Kam photos
Shari Saiki and Bryan Kitashima in the midst of their photogenic home furnishings store, Mesh.

Shari Saiki and Bryan Kitashima hosted a TEN/3 anniversary party March 27, the dual numbers marking the respective 10th year for the Shari Saiki Design Studio and third year of their home-oriented retail shop, Mesh.

The event, held at Mesh at Dole Cannery, was a way to thank clients, customers and friends, who seemed to make themselves at home, sinking into comfy sofas amidst beautiful lamps and decor.

The party flowed from the shop into outdoor corridors where wine was served under hanging lanterns reminiscent of bird cages, and there was plenty of pupu, including samosas deemed too spicy by Kim Gennaula and Guy Hagi’s daughter Alia. At this point, she’s evidently more into fashion than food (see photo).

HIFF Special Events Coordinator Sean Shodahl with Wei Fang.

It’s a good selling point when guests feel as comfortable with the furnishings as being at home. From left, Scott and Sylvia Farley, and Michelle and Dave Gordon.

Kim Gennaula with her photogenic progeny Luke and Alia Hagi.

Candace Kelly, left, with Ken and Debbie Sorenson and their daughter Tai.

From left, home stager Karla Timon, Fran Terry and Tonya Lee.

Sonny Silva and David Chiorini, part of the Hot Club of Hulaville, performed as a duo. Give a listen to the full band here. Somehow we got on the subject of celebs they resemble and Chiorini was sad to admit he hears Joe Jonas and Joey Lawrence a lot.