By Nadine Kam

Nadine Kam photos
The Island Living table was marked by natural wood, seashells and Hawaii flora combined with Hosta stainless steel, Atticus ceramic ware, Tadeusz Wrzesniak cut-swirl goblets and Krosno amber balloon stemware from Neiman Marcus.

C.S. Wo and Neiman Marcus have teamed up once again to share ideas for dressing the holiday table during “At Home for the Holidays,” with five tables on display through Sunday.

Click on the photo of Kellie and Bradley Wo to see video of the holiday displays.

The showcase opened with a morning celebration on Nov. 23, with guests treated to music by the Holiday String Quartet, Kellie and Bradley Wo, Christmas caroling with Diamond Head Theatre’s Shooting Stars and dessert tables, including a chocolate fountain, provided by Diamond Head Market & Grill and chef Kelvin Ro.

Early duing the event, there was a long line for a dip in the chocolate fountain. Party-goers could feel righteous, choosing lots of fresh fruit, including pineapple, cantaloupe and strawberries to go with their chocolate.

Gold dot china by Dibbern was the inspiration for a table with the Midas touch.

Wendell Wo, right, greeted guests Michael and Kristen Chan.

Bob Wo, left, with newlyweds Candes Gentry and Milan Drager, Joey Caldarone and Neiman Marcus’ Doug Jago.

By Nadine Kam

Nadine Kam photos
Before setting foot in the new store, from left, Kahu Kordell Kekoa, Monica Salmaso, Prada area manager Joseph Incao, Candace Konievic and Janet Hagino greeted employees and guests.

Prada dedicated its new Ala Moana store early Friday morning, starting with a blessing by Kahu Kordell Kekoa, whose words, comparing the company’s voyage to that of a Hawaiian sailing canoe crew, brought tears to the eyes of a few.

They were great words applicable to many aspects of life in that, while there is always need for a strong leader/navigator, the vessel is only as great as the sum of its parts and the many crew members who must take equal responsibility for the canoe’s progress.

In addition to purses studded with jewels or covered with paillettes, there are shoes with equal sparkle. The necklace shown is $560, the earrings at lower right are $310. The purple purse is about $850.

Once inside, a small handful of guests were able to check out some pieces from Prada’s resort collection, including shimmering jeweled evening bags in metallic greens, golds and deep violet, as well as purses that sparkle like jewels, with light bouncing off hundreds of tiny, delicate paillettes.

The new store, now on the mall level next to Chanel, is bright and airy. If it looks bigger than the former space, it’s because they also took over the space that formerly housed Loewe.

At top is a display of men’s soft leather goods. At the front of the store is an eye-catching life-size steamer trunk display of handbags.

As for Prada’s former space upstairs, don’t worry, they’re not giving it up. The good news for those not quite ready for Prada, is that come spring, you can look forward to the company’s trendier line Miu Miu, opening in that spot.

Study up:

Prada

Miu Miu

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

Photos and video by Nadine Kam
Aatila Tanaka models jewelry by Kensei in “The Art of Jewelry.”

Belle Époque glamour, elegance and opulence were the order of the day Oct. 5 when Kensei Takeda presented “The Art of Jewelry Fashion Experience” Sunday at the Halekulani as a fundraiser for the American Heart Association.

Models wore cascades of gemstones, beads, as well as feathered and veiled hats and hair pieces also created by Kensei, a hair stylist by day, accessory designer and collector of all things beautiful in his spare time. His perfectionist’s eye was evident in sumptuous styling, with, for a change, clothes as accessories to his dramatic jewelry creations.

The presentation took months of planning, and I was treated to a sneak preview in March when Kensei and show producer Dale Young hosted a lunch and mini show for Jane Lyman on her 86th birthday. Sitting at Jane’s table was one of her friends, Gladys Goka, from the days of Bon Ton, a downtown clothing store where much of Honolulu shopped in the 1930s.

MAC Cosmetics makeup artists Vanessa Buyson, Robin Gallo and April Moon created the looks on the models, and pianist Ginny Tiu performed during the lunch. Cheryl Bartlett and Cathy Foy-Mahi performed during intermissions between the show’s three segments.As a finale, Kensei held a drawing for two of his necklaces. One was won by Pia Solywoda, who claimed to be so certain of her win, she showed up with no necklace and wore black and white that so perfectly matched the onyx and silver necklace she won, Kensei immediately put it around her neck.

Kensei greeted well-wishers after the show, including Leilani Keough, who’s wearing a dress by Jeanie Chun, who was also in the audience. Chun is in the process of moving her business.

Cathy Roberts is adorned in turquoise from earrings to an updated version of the concha belt.

Among those enjoying the show were, from left, Lance Ishibashi, Catherine Fong and Stacey Gross. Catherine and Stacey, who’s also a jewelry designer, wore hats from Catherine’s Manoa vintage boutique Catherine’s Closet. Meanwhile Lance, formerly of Phil’s Gold & Diamonds, is looking forward to opening his own jewelry store just before the holidays. Details to come.

After the show, models Tessa Yu, Cathy and Aatila wait for their cars at the valet station in their civilian clothes, a little different from Kensei’s vision.

By Nadine Kam

Nadine Kam photos
Steve Czerniak and Allison Kim-Czerniak welcomed patrons to celebrate the first anniversary of their Alliway boutique at Ward Warehouse.

Alliway celebrated its one-year anniversary with a party Friday night packed with friends and well-wishers who didn’t have to walk far to find a platter of food right in front of them, no doubt due in part to the work of The Wedding Café’s Tanna Dang who kept an array of savories and sweets coming, from onion-and-pear tarts, prosciutto & melon antipast to chocolate and pistachio macaroons.

Also to mark the occasion, Allison Kim-Czerniak, who believes in helping young designers get a start, hosted the debut of Marylea Conrad’s latest creation, a line of Hawaii- and nature-inspired jewelry named after her 8-month old daughter Kiele. The line is Ki-ele, with the hyphen thrown in there to help people with pronunciation. OK, I’m just wondering who born in Hawaii can’t pronounce the name, but that just tells me Marylea probably has plans beyond our shores.

But the youngest designer on the premises was 9-year-old Tai Masuda, whose necklace I admired as soon as I walked in the door. I kept looking for it on the shelves, only to find out that she’s Alli’s intern and designed the necklace herself.

Ever impatient, I was like, “Well, when are you going to make some for the store?” Tai said she was hopeful about the possibility of selling her work but said she “didn’t want to push” Alli, who was enthusiastic but just wanted to make sure Tai was ready to “release” her design.

Tai has a really good eye and outgoing personality, so she was helping a lot of adults make their choices. I was torn between a pair of silver earrings with deep blue stones or gold earrings with orange stones. At one point, I was ready to go with the silver because I already have a lot of gold earrings and, for practical purposes, thought it best to diversify. Tai was mildly enthused, but when I showed her the gold, she became wildly enthused. “Oh, that’s the one!” she said, noting it was better for my skin tone. Yup. There is a reason I favor the warmer color.

The only thing left to do was cut the birthday cake from The Cake Gallery, but Alli was wavering on that. It was a little too perfect to mar.

Anyway, it was a fun party and eventful first year. Congratulations Steve and Alli!

Marylea Conrad, left, debuted her Ki-ele line of jewelry, named after her second daughter. Her first daughter was welcomed with a line of swimwear, Melia Conrad, named after her. We’re wondering what will happen if Marylea ever gave birth to a boy. She’s with Brie Thalman, who also modeled for the jewelry line.

Tai Masuda, left, and Nanea Alden. I was admiring the necklace Tai was wearing and found out she made it. Below, she helps a customer make a decision.

There was much debate as to whether or not this Cake Love creation was ever going to be eaten. Even toward the end of the evening, Alli was reluctant to cut into it, but alas, a cake must fulfill its destiny. We’ll always have pictures.

By Nadine Kam

Running this in tomorrow’s paper, but in case you need to plan to escape from work or dress accordingly:

Sephora welcomes Gwen Stefani’s Harajuku Lovers Fragrance Collection of five scents — Love, Lil’ Angel, Music, Baby and G, for Gwen — with kawaii doll atomizers inspired by L.A.M.B.

The introductions take place from noon to 6 p.m. Sept. 18 at the Ala Moana store, and the same times Friday at the Pearlridge location.

Dress like your favorite Harajuku Girl and you’ll go home with a free gift. Those who purchase all five fragrances will receive a free charm bracelet and disco ball to house the entire collection.

By Nadine Kam

Nadine Kam photos
Philip Rickard has opened a new store at Ala Moana Center on the third level just outside Nordstrom. The jeweler was there with his marketing rep Liz Lerner to greet guests and talk about his jewelry.

Philip Rickard opened its doors with a blessing on the third level of Ala Moana Center’s new expansion Thursday, Aug. 14, close to the Nordstrom entrance.

Those who attended had the opportunity to see jewelers at work engraving bracelets and finishing pendants from behind a glassed room. There will always be jewelers there to work on custom pieces for buyers. Much of the Hawaiian jewelry orders are customized due to the personalization aspect of adding names, initials and sizing the pieces.

One showcase is devoted to designs created for Gwen Stefani’s L.A.M.B. fashion shows.

One of Philip’s most famous customers is Gwen Stefani who, he said, always admired Hawaiian jewelry when she traveled to Hawaii as a young girl, but could never afford it. Of course, times change and when she was able to place her first order with Rickard, she bought seven bracelets.

Since then, he’s sat down with her to design pieces for her fashion shows and describes her as being a person “on fire.”

“You can feel the energy around her, and she’s so creative,” he said. One of the things she had asked for were large bangles that the company had never offered. Since then, he’s found there’s a lot of demand for large pieces.

If you have any doubts about the labor that goes into this jewelry, you can watch work being done on the premises. Here, a large bangle is being engraved.

It was fun to try on other pieces, feel the weight of the gold and see the artistry behind the engraving. I was like, “I want to try that!” I did take a jewelry making class once, and enjoyed creating designs in wax involved in lost-wax casting, but I couldn’t take the heat involved in working with metal. Every time it came to polishing rings, the pieces would get so hot I couldn’t stand it and they would go flying out of my hand and pinging around the room. They probably could have taken someone’s eye out, so it’s safer that I just look and admire, and that means I have great respect and admiration for jewelers. Anyone creative, really.

Philip Rickard will be among a handful of Hawaii luxury companies featured during a September installment of E! News Extra.

Philip Rickard photo
These bracelets were created by Hawaii jeweler Philip Rickard for Gwen Stefani’s Spring 2008 L.A.M.B. runway show during the Mercedes Benz New York Fashion Week.

By Nadine Kam

Nadine Kam photo
The HOT stage at intermission. I wanted to get a photo of the Vuitton trunks and travel bags during their big scene, but I was so mesmerized by the spectacle I couldn’t think fast enough at the time.

Louis Vuitton deserves a lot of props for its support for the arts over the years. For a time, it seemed the Hawai’i International Film Festival would not be able to go on until Vuitton came to the rescue. The company has also supported Bishop Museum, Honolulu Academy of Arts, Historic Hawaii Foundation, Honolulu Symphony, Maui Arts & Cultural Center and Hawaii Opera Theatre programs over the years, starting in 1983.

So Vuitton was a natural choice in a bit of clever product placement that accompanied HOT’s recently ended run of Stephen Sondheim’s “A Little Night Music” over at the Blaisdell Concert Hall. I didn’t get to see it until closing night yesterday.

The story of multiple love triangles provided the perfect vehicle for moving dozens of Vuitton trunks and travel bags across the stage as the well-heeled couples go on a motorcar excursion to a country estate, where they meet and plot their way to the conclusion.

I arrives about 5 minutes late, so spent the first half of the program sitting in the second to the last row of the theater, before moving up to my seat during the second half. Even from the back of the room, the Damier canvas looked like a star.

By Nadine Kam

This is a detail of a hand-carved, vintage African elephant ivory and sterling silver mermaid brooch, circa 1950’s, created for Ming’s by Hawaii artist Isami Doi. The mermaid is holding a pearl against a sterling seaweed background. Below, a Ming’s peony brooch.

I haven’t gone to the Hawaii All-Collectors Show for a while, mainly because it’s a dangerous place for me to be. I like vintage things a lot because I absorb from them the essence of another time and place.

That makes it seem like this time and place isn’t good enough, but I don’t think that’s the case. I just naturally gravitate to what’s different, which is also what propels me to simultaneously seek out the next new thing, the next trend. It’s like restless hunter-gatherer energy. I don’t understand people who can be still and content.

This time I might have to go to the show because Linda Lee will be there to conduct her free Ming’s jewelry identification and appraisals session. I wrote a story about her a while back, and ever since, a lot of people nationwide have been interested in getting in touch with her. So many people have pieces of Ming’s jewelry that have been passed on to them and they just want to know more about the individual pieces, as well as the company and its founder Wook Moon. Linda will be available during show hours in the display area. Here’s are links to a couple of my stories about Ming’s (sorry I can’t link you, the Wordpress feature is still not working):

http://starbulletin.com/2007/07/19/features/story01.html

http://starbulletin.com/2007/07/19/features/story02.html

Show hours will be from 3 to 9 p.m. Friday, July 18; and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 19. General admission is $4, with $2 entry for children 7 to 11. If you MUST be first in line, you can enter early on Friday for $15 admission. You can download a $1 off coupon at www.ukulele.com/collect.html

Other highlights:

>> Hawaiiana dealer Don Medcalf, of Hawaiian Islands Stamp & Coin, will be giving free informal verbal appraisals of early Hawaiiana from 7 to 8 p.m. Friday and 1 to 2 p.m. Saturday in booths 321 and 322.

Robyn Buntin wares

>> Robyn Buntin of Honolulu reports its storage warehouse is overflowing with decorative objects, books, magazines, knick-knacks, furniture, and other collectibles and will be offering up bargains during the event.

>> Oahu Anime Explorer & United Anime will have members on hand to display some of their favorite cosplay costumes, anime models, posters, and other collectible items in booths 205 and 206.

By Nadine Kam

Tarina Tarantino photos
Labbit earrings will be about $120 when they arrive later this month.

Tarina Tarantino’s latest jewelry collaboration is with Kid Robot. Didn’t think Dunnys, Munnys and Smokin’ Labbits could get any cuter.

The L.A. designer can do no wrong, having had successful collaborations with Hello Kitty, and even managing to make Barbie cool. I may have to switch out my Hello Kitty Pinkhead heart toggle necklace for one of the new Kid Robot designs!

The collection is scheduled to debut July 30 at kidrobot.com, at Tarina Tarantino locations and in Hawaii at Chic Icon, 7192 Kalanianaole Hwy., and Queens at 831 Queen St. I might also check out Hawaiian South Shore on Ward Avenue, which always carries a good selection of Tarantino pieces. Prices will be between $65 and $975.

This amazing pearl and ribbon Munny necklace will be about $975. I wore a black Munny charm on my Tiffany bracelet — until I lost both after a back massage at the Iolani Fair. I had taken it out and stuffed it in my pocket, but I guess it fell out.