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Nadine Kam photos
elle Couture Jewellery’s creative director Lance Ishibashi and KCC’s Carol Sakihara at the opening of her students’ exhibition Friday night.

By Nadine Kam

elle Couture Jewellery creative director Lance Ishibashi made room in the new 909 Kapiolani jewelry boutique to share the floor with some talented young designers from Kapiolani Community College over the weekend, with the opening of an exhibition that will be on view through Jan. 29.

Lisa Shiroma’s copper “Star” necklace with satin ribbon.

I enjoyed looking at the pieces and entertained the thought of owning some of them because they are so different from what’s in the marketplace, which tends to follow big trends. Unfortunately, only a handful are actually available for sale, at a maximum of about $330. Given the class project nature of the work, many of them have sentimental attachment to the pieces they created, and you can’t put a price on that.

I loved Mia Takara’s brushed silver “Bear Fuzz,” but unfortunately, she’s not parting with it. It started as a ring with claws that wrap around the finger, but she found it difficult to attach the two pieces.

The students have access to limited tools and materials, but the show just proves how these are not handicaps when imagination is at work.

Since my story ran in the paper Thursday, some generous souls in the community have already offered donations of jewelry findings to the KCC program headed by artist Carol Sakihara. I’m sure more assistance would be welcome.

Jeremiah Skurtu with an “Industrial” ring he created. It was so large, they had to develop a special casting method for it. Below, he also wore a skull ring he created while attending high school in Texas.

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By Nadine Kam

Nadine Kam photos
The brightly colored windows at the Louis Vuitton store at Ala Moana Center pays tribute to the late designer Stephen Sprouse.

Someone asked me last week what’s coming for spring and I said “bright colors.”

She seemed puzzled by the response, saying, “Really? I thought in times of recession people wear black.”

Well, given that my last three purchases had been a black skirt, a black jacket and a black bracelet, I had to reconsider. Sure, retailers are showing lots of brights, but that doesn’t necessarily mean people are in the mood to buy them.

My mood has been black so maybe that’s been reflected in my color, or non-color choice. The other thing I wanted to buy was a dark navy T-shirt with black sequin bow at J. Crew on the Island, but when I went back after two weeks, they had sold out of them. I was too busy to try it on when I saw them, but they had so many at full price I felt certain they’d still be there. I didn’t think people were paying $80+ for T-shirts anymore.

But there’s only so much dark colors a person can take. It makes me somewhat depressed to go into stores now and see racks still filled with fall stock in their somber colors. There’s a dearth of new stock, but if people are not seeing anything new, they’re probably less inclined to buy.

The design on the Louis Vuitton window echoes the design on its latest collection of handbags.

I applaud Louis Vuitton, who’s showing neon brights and graffiti scrawl in an eye-catching window display, a tribute to 1980s pop designer Stephen Sprouse, who died in 2004.

The lettering was done by Stephen Sprouse as part of a collaboration with Marc Jacobs for Vuitton about eight years ago.

I was just talking with someone about the art of the window display, and it’s refreshing to see this splash of art and theater in the mall. It made me stop to look.

The Gap necklace set against my Roberta Oaks skirt.

I’m not quite ready for Day Glo, but eased into color with a purchase of a costume necklace at The Gap. I was wearing a purple T-shirt and my Roberta Oaks patchwork scarf skirt that day, so it just matched. It was one of those iffy things I don’t really need, so my b.f. asked that question we ask now with every purchase: “Are you going to get $14 worth of pleasure out of that?” So, that was a pretty easy decision.

The Gap is embracing color this spring, recently partnering with Pantone to create a line of limited-edition T-Shirts in the season’s hottest colors. They just opened a T-shirt shop in The Gap’s rotating concept venue adjacent to its flagship store at 54th and 5th aves. in New York. It features The Gap’s upcoming spring tee collection in true Pantone colors, including a limited-edition tee in Mimosa, Pantone’s color of the year for 2009. The display will be up through Feb. 8.

Lisa Herbert, executive vice president of Pantone’s fashion, home and consumer division said Mimosa was selected because the sunny yellow “best expresses hope and reassurance.”

The Gap/Pantone collaboration features Pantone’s 2009 color if the year Mimosa.

By Nadine Kam

Nadine Kam photos
Anteprima tree trimmed with the company’s shimmery wire handbags.

Anteprima hosted a party Saturday night to benefit Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children while marking the company’s second anniversary in the islands and showcasing some of its designs straight from Italy.

It would be great if the boutiques carried the designs in Honolulu, but this marked the only time — for now — that we could inspect the garments up close. They are very fine, with some that look like draped threads. There was one dress with scalloped, shirred detail at the rear, such that a woman would have to have those buns of steel and a whole lot of self-confidence to walk into a room, and even more importantly, walk out, leaving little to the imagination.

Keao Crabbe, left, and Kelsey Campbell, model Anteprima dresses and purses.

The event took place on the fourth floor of the Royal Hawaiian Center, where the boutique has a home on the ground floor in the passageway leading to the Sheraton Waikiki and Royal Hawaiian Hotel. The Anteprima Plastiq boutique is small, so I was confused as to how this large party would take place there. I thought it would spill over to the courtyard, but fortunately, employees were able to direct me upstairs where one of the first things I saw was the shimmering gold Christmas tree comprising dozens of Anteprima’s signature knit PVC wire handbags.

The stage for the Anteprima show on the video, as well as some of the camera angles, reminded me of introductory scenes from Second Life. Click on the image to view the entire video.

Viewers watched a video of Anteprima’s Spring-Summer 2009 presentation before seeing six of the designs modeled by local beauty queens. At one point in the video, a model tripped, causing the audience to gasp as if it were live. There’s a lot of editing in the video, so I’m just wondering why they left that in there unless they wanted that dramatic moment.

Anteprima photo
How do they hold these threads together? The company also showed many skirts made like this top.

Guests feasted on sushi from Suntory, dim sum from Beijing (the restaurant, not the city), desserts by Satura Cakes, as well as fun food for keiki from Senor Frog, tho’ I missed that part. It’s not often a grownup party makes a place for little ones, but considering the beneficiary of the event, it was fitting to have balloons, clowns and face painting. For grownups, there was music by Pili’oha.

Kim Gennaula, who only recently left KGMB, is already doing her part as director of philanthropy for the Kapiolani Health Foundation, tasked with raising funds for the center. The foundation also gained a natural emcee in Gennaula, partnered at the podium by husband Guy Hagi. In the end, Virgo USA, Inc., dba Anteprima Foundation, presented its check for $10,000 made out to the center.

Six designs made it to Hawaii. It looks like the models are wearing pink stockings, but that’s due to the slide projection over their bodies.

Anteprima/Virgo USA, Inc., chairman and CEO Tak Munemura, left, with Maki Munemura. (more…)

By Nadine Kam

Touchstone Pictures
Isla Fisher, as shopaholic Rebecca Bloomwood, attempts to take charge of her closet. Click on the photo for the trailer.

I got a chance to interview Patricia Field yesterday in advance of the opening of “Confessions of a Shopaholic,” though we won’t be running the story until closer to the film’s opening in February.

Who can wait that long?

What was most interesting to me was that the boutique-owning stylist for “Sex and the City” and now, “Ugly Betty,” says she’s NOT a shopaholic. I mean, you’d assume a person who shops for a living might be, right? But the -holic part would suggest a form of mental illness, and she’s firmly in control of her finances and material desires.

While she loves clothing and accessories across the board, high and low, new and worn, she’s very practical about it all, saying that she probably owns less clothing than her fans would imagine, to the point where she says she basically wears the same thing over and over, changing things up with accessories. But that’s where her styling skills come into play and not everyone is so blessed.

Even so, her advice for shopaholics who want to gain control over their spending habits is to stop buying clothes because a T-shirt is a T-shirt is a T-shirt, and focus on learning how to accessorize those basic pieces to update your wardrobe for the most impact and least expenditure.

The film’s timing is good, balancing lots of eye candy with the idea that there is a bigger price to pay for overshopping than what’s on the price tag.

I sent a post off to Twitter about the interview, and fans of Field were quick to respond, including someone I know locally who asked, “OMG, did you die?”

Well, yeah. That happens sometimes when you get a chance to speak with some of the people you idolize. In fact, I’m just lucky she had a good sense of time because she wanted to give me the full 20 minutes allotted to individual journalists across the country in her marathon day of phone calls. Otherwise, I was like, “Hi, uh, um, OK, bye,” which doesn’t happen too often.

The other memorable time I was on nervous mode was talking with the film director Ang Lee, post “Brokeback Mountain” and in advance of “Lust, Caution.” When the man has time to speak, you have to take the call, and unfortunately, it happened on a day I had a five-hour photo shoot for HI Luxury magazine. The session was scheduled to end about 3 p.m., the same time he wanted to call after getting off a plane from LA to New York. With any luck, my shoot would end early and his plane would be delayed to give me time to return about $50,000 worth of clothing to boutiques and get back to my desk.

Didn’t happen. His agent called just as I left the Halekulani and I had to explain I was in my car and could we reschedule in about a half hour. They granted an extra 15 minutes, the point being that once the director arrived home, that was his sanctuary away from work. That gave me enough time to make it to Ala Moana Center and park. But while waiting in the car, I got impatient, and figured I could make a run with the bags to the shops. I had just dropped off the last bags when he called, and there I was with cell phone, trying to balance my notepad on a planter outside Dior, trying to sound intelligent and stress-free.

I don’t think I fooled him, but he is the nicest man.

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

To add to yesterday’s post, Ideeli.com’s giveaway of this Prada pouchette has started and there’s about 4 hours left to enter, though you have to join the community to do so (it’s free for “second row” status). Log on and use my invitation code: “fashiontribe” to join.

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Meanwhile, Flash and Smart magazine are calling for designers willing to show off their skills and brave a “Project Runway”-style fashion design competition.

You will be asked to design and sew one look that reflects your vision as a fashion designer. This look will be modeled on the model of your choice, who will be runway ready (hair and makeup will be your choice and your responsibility for your model) for the Dec. 5 competition at Pearl Ultralounge.

Blayne Walsh from “Project Runway” will be in Hawaii for the exclusive fashion event, and will be among the judges

Prize details will be announced soon. The winner will receive press coverage and will have his or her winning look displayed on Dec. 6 at Skyline at the Sheraton Waikiki.

To enter, contact Sarah Honda at 277-4484 or sarah@smartmagonline.com. You must be 21 or older. The number of entrants will be limited, so contact Sarah ASAP to find out whether you’re in or you’re out.

By Nadine Kam

Ideeli.com
Natalie Portman’s Te Casan line of vegan shoes goes on sale tomorrow.

There are a lot of good reasons to live in Hawaii, but one of the disadvantages for the fashion set is being so far from all the major sample sales.

If you’re oblivious to news and ads, good for you, but I can’t help feeling like I’m missing out when I see the ads in the Sunday Times or email alerts from boutiques thousands of miles away.

I try to spend most of my money in Hawaii to keep my neighbors employed because we’re all on this rock together and can only get through this downturn together, but for those items you can’t find here at the price you want after exploring all your options, the newest invitatation-only luxury site, Ideeli.com, offers designer apparel, accessories, prize giveaways and more, at discounts of 50 to 90 percent.

The site allows members access to sales events through email and mobile alerts, and puts us on even footing with buyers across the country, though quantities are limited and tend to sell out quickly, like these purses during a recent Chloe event.

The next event, beginning tomorrow, Nov. 12, at 11 a.m. EST, features Natalie Portman’s Te Casan collection of eco-friendly vegan shoes, like the one below, for shoe lovers who want a clear conscience. Prices start at $105, representing savings of up to 69 percent.

An example of the Te Casan shoes that’ll be up for grabs.

You must be a member to check out this and future events, including W Hotels, Estee Lauder, Prada and Lanvin giveaways, and Hype, Junior Drake and Vivienne Westwood sales. You can sign on at http://ideeli.com/in/media?mi=fashiontribe or by going to Ideeli.com and using my invitation code: fashiontribe

By Nadine Kam

Pua

Sometimes notices come in too late to make the Thursday Style section of the paper, so my Friday posts tend to be a catch-all for those events I would want to know about.If you have some time over the weekend, head to Town on Sunday, Nov. 9, where there will be a holiday show featuring Pua jewelry, which I love for its beautiful, earthy simplicity.

Up for grabs, starting at $25 for shell earrings, will be shell rings, bezel-set cowries, puka shells and beach glass, often on 14K gold and silver bangles. If you have your own sentimental pieces and natural finds — whether it’s black pearls or puka shells — you can also inquire about custom-order bangles.

The event starts at 5 p.m. and because the items you want inevitably go first, it’s best to get there on time. Town is at 3435 Waialae Ave.

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Also taking place 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday through the end of the year is The Royal Boutique hosted by the Alliatas, Italian princesses, who, like everyone else, ends up with gently used clothes they no longer wear. Their mother Dialta encouraged the events as a way of clearing the closets and donating proceeds to local charities.

The last time I was there, I had my eye on a gold Versace wallet going for $100, which was a little more than I wanted to pay. Then, fellow fashionista Pua Lemelle walked in and inquired about the same wallet. Of course, nothing makes you want something more than a little sale competition, but I didn’t want to buy it if she really wanted it, so I dithered and waited until she could make up her mind, and while we were both dithering, someone else strolled in and bought it! Oh well. I went home and checked eBay, but haven’t seen anything like it since.

The event takes place at 2615 Tantalus Drive.

By Nadine Kam

Nadine Kam photos
Mesh costume bracelet, $5 at the Vintage Collectibles & Hawaiiana Show.

“What can you buy for $5?A Nokia research team is asking people around the globe to take pictures and submit them to http://fivedollarcomparison.org

Submissions so far have ranged from a woman’s blouse in Bangkok to the price of admission to a movie in Lima, Peru. The campaign is a fun, clever little marketing exercise to start people thinking about a future of global connectivity that will be possible when the price of a mobile phone is dramatically lower than today.

Their campaign gives the rest of us something to think about, as to the way we value objects and services. A makeup artist friend was just complaining that, having set up a table at a shopping event, she discounted her usual brow-shaping rate from $35 to $5 as a courtesy to attendees, which caused one woman to dismiss her outright, as if a $5 job would not be as good as a $35 job, even though this was not the case.

I was also interviewing presentation coach Pam Chambers for a story on how she makes recession dressing work for her, to run in Thursday’s paper. Although she’s been a lifelong thrift-store enthusiast, mixing her wardrobe of recycled clothing with new retail purchases, she’s able to sense others’ distaste for secondhand apparel and compares it to blind taste-testing. That is, if their taste buds can’t detect a difference between bargain brand coffee and upscale coffee, they don’t think, “Gee, I think I’ll switch to the cheaper brand.” Instead, many people have a tendency to feel tricked and get angry.

In front of one of her three highly organized closets, Pam Chambers shows a mini skirt repurposed as a fall capelet for chilly offices.

I’ve gotten the same reaction when people ask me about something I’m wearing. Like Chambers, I often think I’m being helpful by saying something like, “Swap meet, $2,” so they can go get their own. But boy you can see their faces change, to the point where one of my friends who was with me on one such occasion said, “Don’t tell them anything. Just smile and say, ‘Thank you.’ ”

I try, but I feel somewhat non-forthcoming. It goes against journalist instinct to offer up less than the full story. It just demonstrates how people assume a high price equals quality, but smart shoppers know that good value can be found at every price point if you’re willing to keep your eyes and mind open.

As for the $5 comparison, I’ll be on the lookout for more. Oh, and if you find local thrift shops limiting, you can also try shopgoodwill.com

By Nadine Kam

Nadine Kam photos
One of the Harari designs on the runway at the 39th annual fashion show.

The Sheraton Waikiki ballroom was packed Sunday for the Hui Makaala annual fashion show. It was a good day for lunch and the show indoors because outside it was gray and rainy, meaning fall has finally arrived after a very long, hot summer.

Designs on view were by Hawaii’s Tapestries by Hauoli, and the L.A. based collections of Ryan Roberts and Harari. Because Hui Makaala is an Okinawan scholarship organization, the opening entertainment included the Paranku Club of Hawaii, and Jon Itomura and Eric Nitta performing a Shishimai (lion-dog) dance, completely believable as one giant, friendly, tail-wagging dog. They both must have hit the ground pretty hard when rolling over as two halves of the dog, but the furry costume must have had something to do with breaking the fall!

On the video you’ll see a little bit of Ryan Roberts’ feminine daywear, as well as designs by Harari. I missed the beginning because of technical difficulties with the camera. Someone had changed the ISO setting to 1600, which caused whiteout, just one of the many problems with shared equipment. I need a camera sponsor.

After the show, I rushed over to the Blaisdell for the one-day Wikiwiki Vintage Collectibles & Hawaiiana Show. Picked up some costume jewelry, a Ming’s silver-and-pearl brooch and looked at some pocket watches for the b.f. This one was nice, with a gold filagree face, but he’s super fussy so he needs to see it himself. The next show’s in February and promises to be two days instead of just one. Sometimes we need the extra day to think about a purchase.

These days it takes a lot of commitment to doing vintage shopping the old-fashioned physical way. It’s one more biz that has changed due to Internet shopping, which makes it easy to shop very specifically, no leg work necessary. I try to shop local as much as possible and it’s more important than ever to support our neighbors, because in the long run, their fortunes determine the rest of ours. We’re all on this rock together and it doesn’t look as if tourism will be picking up any time soon.