By Nadine Kam

christinavonfieandt.com

I spent most of the day looking for a photo that appeared in our paper in 1995 or so. It was of young model Brook Lee, before she became Miss Universe, modeling a dress by Anna Christina in Tamarind Park.

Unfortunately, for those too young to remember, those were the days before the mass popularity of the Internet, and the Star-Bulletin did not go online until 1996, so the photo was lost to our electronic archives.

But I remember the red “lauhala weave” ribbon dress well because of how stunning Brook looked in it. The dress itself was full of movement, and it was the first time I saw the work of Anna Christina, who’s better known in other parts of the world as Christina von Fieandt, and whose full name is Christina Anna von Fieandt Barlund.

The designer died May 23 at Straub Hospital and Clinic, and friends and family will remember her during a Celebration of Life taking place at 5:30 p.m. July 17 at the Honolulu Elks Lodge, with scattering of ashes to follow.

After perfecting her lauhala weave style, Anna Christina stuck with it, making her pieces instantly recognizable. I did not know her well, but her friends Jean Sutton, Marie Obrocta, Elizabeth Posse, Godfrey Kam and Norma Hamblin wanted to share her story with other fashion enthusiasts who may have known her, as follows:

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By Nadine Kam

Nadine Kam photos
Makana, in a vintage kapa print-inspired jacket and milo grounding stick, took part in a pre-concert press conference with Royal Hawaiian general manager Kelly Hoen and Monarch Room maitre d’ Coronado Aquino.

The very talented, and I must add, stylish, Makana opened the Royal Hawaiian Monarch Room’s “Curators of Hawaiian Music Series” July 9, marking the return of Hawaiian music to the historic showroom after a 15-year absence.

He follows in some mighty huge footsteps as the Monarch Room has played host, since the 1970s, to performers like Ed Kenney, Marlene Sai, Emma Veary, John Rowles, Cecilio & Kapono, the Beamer Brothers and Andy Bumatai.

For the occasion, maitre d’ Coronado Aquino busted out photos of himself with the performers, and, shades of Dorian Gray, he looks just about the same now as he did 20 years ago when he posed with the Beamers!

Makana put on a wonderful show that showcased his slack-key and fusion skills, singing Hawaiian, contemporary and even a Portuguese tune, with a dash of flamenco. So amazing to watch, with a little slack-key lesson thrown in for good measure. He reeled me in showing how easy it is to get the bass notes going. Just when you start thinking, “Yeah, I can do that,” he throws in a gotcha! A rapid-fire string of arpeggios impossible to follow unless you happen to be equally brilliant. I did try that at home later. Of course in the space of his 20 notes, maybe I could fit in three. That’s why he’s on stage and I sit at a desk. Fans can also follow him at Twitter, @makanamusic

More than a fan of his music, I’m also a fan of his style. In my mind, wardrobe is a big part of the performance arts and he’s always turned out well, on the street and on stage. He’s part of a new vanguard of young performers, such as Raiatea Helm and Jordan Segundo who recognize presentation as part of the job.

Makana will be performing two hourlong concerts — 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. — each Thursday through Aug. 27, when Maunalua takes over the showroom September and October, followed by the return of Cecilio & Kapono in November and December.

Tickets for the cocktail shows are $49 ($39 kamaaina) per person with a two-drink minimum. Three-course dinner packages at Azure at the Royal Hawaiian, Beach House at the Moana Surfrider and Twist at Hanohano in the Sheraton Waikiki, are also available at $99 ($89 for kamaaina) for adults and $69 ($59 kamaaina) for kids 4 to 12. Two-drink minimum applies and is not included in the price. Call 931-4600 or visit www.royal-hawaiian.com for all the details.

BTW, I liked James H. Collins’ Associated Press photo of Makana in the NYC subway.

Kimi Matar, center, showed up with soap opera star Robert Parks-Valleta and actress Hannah Cornett, in town to prepare some of the groundwork for Robert’s Tag the World Celebrity Triathlon coming up Aug. 23.

There were dozens of celebrities in the house to support Makana, including Jimmy Borges, left, and Kimo Kahoano, pictured with, from left, Vicky Borges, Kehaulani Kam and Leilani Kupahu-Marino.

Betsey Johnson boutique manager Marilee Mattson was also there with her husband Alan Mattson, president and COO of Castle Resorts & Hotels.

Coronado Aquino with Cecilio & Kapono, before they cut their hair, and below, with Keola and Kapono Beamer.

By Nadine Kam

Roberto Coin photo
The beauty of sea life is presented in a collection of diamond pendants by Roberto Coin, sales of which will benefit Friends of Waikiki Aquarium.

Elle Couture Jewellers hosted the launch of the Roberto Coin marine-life jewelry collection last Thursday, an opportunity for jewelry and ocean lovers to check out the dainty diamond-studded, white gold pendants in shapes of starfish, seahorses, angelfish, lobsters, and more.

Through the end of the year, the jewelry store will be donating 10 percent ofsales of the sea-life collection to Friends of Waikiki Aquarium. FOWA members will also enjoy a 10 percent discount off their purchases of the pendants, which start at $620.

Each pendant also features the Italian designer’s signature small ruby set inside, in a hidden position, as a secret gift of good wishes to every woman who wears one of his creations.

It was fun trying them on, as well as other pieces in the boutique. I love starfish, but I already have a Tiffany and dozens of vintage brooches, so I tried on the lobster for fun, as well as the nautilus, which was the hit of the evening.

You can check out the pieces firsthand at 909 Kapiolani Boulevard, Suite A. Call 591-8080.

To mark the occasion, Menehune Mac created these chocolates with the ocean theme in mind.

Midweek Style Editor Yu Shing Ting tries on a ring to match her top, while elle Couture’s Adrienne Baley fastens a matching pendant around her neck.

By Nadine Kam

Paula Abdul is the latest of celebrities who have turned their material goods over to eBay for fund-raising. In this case, she’s teamed up with Auction Cause for an auction with 10 percent of proceeds helping the American Humane Association’s Pets and Women’s Shelters (PAWS) program. Benefits will also be going to Petco and the Guide Dogs of America.

The “American Idol” judge is the national spokesperson for the program, which works with domestic violence shelters to allow women to bring their pets with them.

eBay
Paula Abdul’s eBay auction includes this Viveinne Westwood black bustier with a bid of $52 as of 5 p.m., with 23 hours left for bidding.

A quick look at some of the pieces reveals that stylewise, she’s informed by the ’80s, with a love of prints, leggings and corsets. She’s also all over the map with a mix of flowy boho, trendy and structured designer pieces. The melange has the range of a Century 21 store. She also favors browns and muddy hues, and well, you know what she wears on the show and on the red carpet, some pieces available here in petite XS and size 2.

Designer items include pants, jackets, suits and dresses from the likes of Dolce and Gabbana, Pucci, Burberry, Vivienne Westwood, Zac Posen, St John, and more. Pieces are starting at 99 cents, and don’t seem to be bid up very high, typically at $26 to $56 with 23 hours left to go.

Each item won will come with a thank you letter hand signed by Paula. Listings will be added through summer, til her closet is empty. Check out www.ebay.com/paulaabdul

I probably won’t be bidding on anything, but it’s kind of fun to be a closet voyeur.

Dolce & Gabbana black lace, pink slip dress, at $81 with eight days left to go and reserve not met.

Matthew Williamson silk-wool jacket bid up to $31.01 at 5:26 p.m. July 8.

By Nadine Kam

Kate Spade
Kate Spade inspirations scroll by at http://www.katespade.info/ Go to “Things We Love.”

While working on a story about the Kate Spade Ala Moana Center opening a few weeks ago, I was also milling around on the company’s Web site, double-checking prices.

One of the features of the site is an invitation to go “Behind the Curtain,” which leads to projects and a slew of “Things We Love.” If you have time to explore, clicking on any of the dozens of images will lead you to artists’ Web sites and some goofy stuff, like hundreds of line drawings of sheep. Moving your cursor over an image at their site will tell you what you’re looking at so you can decide whether or not to spend a few more seconds actually opening the page.

The image at top right in this box led me to http://www.moleskine.com, where myMoleskine Artwork allows artists around the globe to share the work contained in their Moleskines as displayed in thumbnails below:

This image led me to the work of Filip Pagowski, whose textile designs collaboration graced the Comme des Garçons runway:

I also liked theblog.weemade.com/ which allows parents to posts works created by their young Picassos. In my studies of art, the aim is to return to the freedom of expression of unschooled innocence. It’s so hard to do. A decade ago, we presented monthly children’s art contests in the paper, and we’d see this phenomenon over and over. The most expressive works came from children in grade 4 and younger. By the 6th grade their technical skills became stronger, but with that, the work became tighter, more constricted. It is so important to learn the “rules,” but it can take a lifetime to then learn to break them.

By Nadine Kam

Nadine Kam photos
Suit Yourself Bikinis adorable designer Kathleen Bruening, right, with her model, Mrs. Hawaii Kristina Lum, who wears a Gabriella monokini, about $175.

Last weekend I received a call from hyper-energetic fellow fashion enthusiast Julie Aragaki. She was thrilled by having met Maui swimwear designer Kathleen Bruening of Suit Yourself Bikinis and was excited to be bringing her to the Zensation event at Bonsai on July 1 for a trunk show with informal modeling.

I was really impressed by the work of the 21-year-old designer as well. Her work is creative and original, and her workmanship — yup, she sews all the pieces in her custom collection — is exceptional. Any wearer would feel confident that these suits would hold up in water without sagging or gapping anywhere it matters.

Among the details in this Suit Yourself Bikini top is a braided tie of fabric wrapped around elastic to allow stretch and body movement, while ensuring the pieces don’t ride around the body.

Those in need of a custom suit can select from a wide array of fabric, styles and fit, at a cost of about $90 for bikini tops, $110 for bottoms, and $160 to $270 and up for monokini and one-piece creations.

Some of her suits make use of a lot of strips of fabrics and braided ties that give them a bondage look. Others have obi midriffs or a cascade of ruffles. You can check out Bruening’s Web site at http://www.suityourselfbikinis.com/ which works if you have Adobe Flash Player 10.

Also, head to the Valerie Joseph boutique at Ala Moana Center, where Suits Yourself will be presenting some informal modeling in the windows as part of the boutique’s steak-fueled 4th of July celebration, “Bikinis & BBQ.” The event runs from 4 to 6 p.m. on the 4th.

Kehau Raines models one of Kathleen Bruening’s Suit Yourself Bikinis at Zensation.

A model wears Kathleen Bruening’s Alyssa bikini above, and Lexi bikini below.

Suit Yourself photo
Suit Yourself Contessa one-piece, about $155.

By Nadine Kam

I’m stuck at the office today, but if you’re lucky enough to have an early start on the Fourth of July weekend, you might want to check out the summer sales, as just about every store clears the way for fall lines:

Nadine Kam photo
At the blessing of the Michael Kors boutique Thursday morning, some of the designer’s fall dresses were on display, worn by, from left, district manager Suzanne Sellek, director of retail operations Tiza Tjokroadisumarto, store manager Sharleen Perreira, and store supervisor Victoria Tavares.

One of the newest places to shop at Ala Moana Center is at the Michael Kors boutique, which opened on Thursday, the second. It features all three of the designer’s labels, Michael Kors, KORS Michael Kors and MICHAEL Michael Kors.

In addition to Kors’ summer collections, the store is the first in the nation, by three weeks, to introduce the designer’s fall clothing and accessory collections.

Cari and Transformers photos

>> Shasa Emporium is hosting its first sale in its new location, across from Nine West at Kahala Mall. Through the 5th, enjoy 50 percent off select designer denim collections, and 10 percent off all regular priced items.
Some restrictions apply. For celeb emulators, Shasa will also be offering the Cari necklace seen on Megan Fox in “Transformers 2,” for $50, discounted from its regular retail price of $95. The hand-sculpted sterling silver Teeny Tiny Disc can be hand-stamped with any initial. The 3/8″ wide disc is accented with a quartz briolette stone, and and hangs on a 20-inch adjustable link chain with lobster-claw clasp. Call 735.5122 for more details.

>> Alliway, at Ward Warehouse, is hosting a 4th of July weekend sale through the 5th, with 20 percent off any regularly priced merchandise.

The Butik photo

>> The Butik has a 4th of July sale going on through Sunday, with a 25 percent discount throughout the store (excludes sale items), with all sales final. The shop is at 1067 Kapiolani Blvd. Suite A-3. Call 593-4484.

Fighting Eel

>> Fighting Eel is also hosting a 4th of July sale, with an additional 25 percent discount off all print items, and additional markdowns on sale items. Have a glass of wine to celebrate the holiday on First Friday, through 8 p.m. Shop from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Note, the discounts apply at the company’s headquarters at 47 North Hotel St. only. For more information, email info@fightingeel.com or call 524-1472.

Louis Vuitton photo

>> Louis Vuitton is hosting a product personalization event from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today through Sunday at its Ala Moana store. You can have your current or newly purchased Louis Vuitton bags and leather accessories personalized with a hot-stamped monogram. The service is complimentary. Call the store for more details, at 973-0580.