By Nadine Kam

Nadine Kam photos
Brigitte Patton wears one of Kanna Yamauchi’s bridal designs.

Hui Makaala, an Okinawan scholarship organization whose goal is to promote the Okinawan culture and Uchinanchu spirit did just that during its annual fashion luncheon Oct. 18 at the Sheraton Waikiki.

It’s not often that they’re able to bring in a designer from Okinawa, but they hit the jackpot with the mother-and-daughter designers, respectively, Mitsuko Yamauchi and Kanna Yamauchi.

Mitsuko was the headlining designer here two years ago, and this year it was Kanna’s turn to show her designs for Yokang, a fashion collaboration that involves her husband, the artist and textile designer Hiroshi Tanaka.

Yokang designs were a hit at Hong Kong Fashion Week, and Kanna heads to Japan after Honolulu.

The fashion show was preceded by several performances by Dazzman Toguchi, Hooge Ryu Hana Nuuzi No Kai and Ryukyukoku Matsuri Daiko Hawaii.

Then Kanna put on a display of handpainted/airbrushed garments reflecting Okinawa’s colorful aesthetic that fits in nicely with our own island surroundings. Her show was presented during Hong Kong Fashion Week before her arrival here.

Dancer Dazzman Toguchi in one of Yokang’s unisex hoodies.

There was a break in the middle of the show, when Mitsuko showed some of her bridal designs, as well as men’s shirts that were available for sale outside the showroom before and after the event. The show concluded with Yokang bridal designs.

There was so much packed into the show that I had some trouble editing down to fit YouTube’s 10-minute restriction. Videos can give the impression that what you see is what you get, so, just know that there was much more than could be shown.

You can read more about Yokang in my story that ran in advance of the show: http://hsblinks.com/134

Mens’ shirts formed a big part of a segment shown by Kanna’s mother Mitsuko Yamauchi, founder of Okinawa’s Fashion Room Madonna. This one is modeled by former city prosecutor Keith Kaneshiro. Equivalent to the aloha shirt, these shirts are also worn by businessmen in Okinawa.

A videographer at work.

Kanna posed backstage with Brigitte and Nicole Fox, right.

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By Nadine Kam

Nadine Kam photos
Fighting Eel models with designers Lan Chung and Rona Bennett at right.

The Outrigger Reef on the Beach launched its new wedding venues and packages with an intimate event that showcased selections from its banquet buffet, as well as cake, cupcake, bridal bouquet and other services.
Adding to the ambience of the evening event Oct. 15 was a bridal fashion show by Fighting Eel, whose casual, romantic creations fit in perfectly with the theme of a destination wedding in Hawaii.

You can find out more about the bridal collection in my story that appeared in the print edition of the paper in August: http://hsblinks.com/135 

Justine Miguel in traditional white.

The fashion show took place on the Voyager Deck overlooking the beach. Tables were set up as if for an intimate wedding reception — the deck accommodates up to 60 people — and the open-air setting made it a pleasant, relaxing way to end a hectic work day.

The models walked through a flower-draped trellis, after the buffet dinner of assorted salads, fresh fruit, kalua pig, broiled fish, teriyaki chicken, and more.

Then after the show, guests helped themselves to a candy bar dressed up with colorful jellybeans, lemon drops, chocolate covered pretzels, Hershey’s Kisses and candy-coated almonds as a take-home favor.

Those who just couldn’t leave were then invited to peek into their spacious Suite 123, with multi-configurations to suit bridal party room needs.

Outrigger Reef photos
The living room of the bridal suite. No worries, if you’re already married, they have vow renewal ceremonies as well, open to all at 8 a.m. Tuesdays to Fridays. The suite opens to a lanai with a view of Diamond Head.

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By Nadine Kam

Note to new readers: If you found me through InsidetheTents.com, my New York Fashion Week coverage begins Sept. 10 with the Nikolas K, Mara Hoffman, Ports 1961 and Rosa Chá shows. Until then, I am in sunny Hawaii.

Fighting Eel photo

To introduce its bridal collection, Fighting Eel is hosting a write-in contest with the winning bride-to-be receiving a gown and up to four bridesmaids dresses for her wedding party. For a story about the collection, follow this link.

All you need to do is write, in 250 words or less, why you would like to wear Fighting Eel designs on your big day, and include the date of your wedding.

Send entries to FE@starbulletin.com. Entries will be accepted through Sept. 25.

The winner must agree to provide Fighting Eel with a photo of her wedding party dressed in FE.

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

Tanna and Bryson Dang of The Wedding Cafe hosted “Bride Wars” at the Ward Warehouse Sunday, where dozens of brides had the opportunity to compete for gift services good toward dozens of bridal services, with discounts for everything from tuxedo rentals, to diamonds to wedding planning.

Names of brides were drawn from those who had registered to participate, and those whose names were drawn kept playing games until they won.

The video shows a couple of the games, which involved recreating a table top with instructions from Naomi Lee of Les Saisons, and, guessing the carat weight of a diamond ring.

Nancy Arcayna wrote the story about the event in today’s paper.

By Nadine Kam

Nadine Kam photos
Relaxing under the tent after the show.

The very busy Anne Namba hosted a “Dream Wedding” event with Hawaii Bride & Groom magazine, this time at her Kamani Street salon on Sunday. I arrived to find the small parking lot transformed with the addition of a tent draped in the interior with gold dupioni silk.

It was a fabulous place to hang out after most of the guests had left. I told her I wanted to live there, and could actually see people transforming bedrooms to get the same draped, cocoon effect that was the work of Alex Garcia of Mood. It was a thing of beauty that took nine hours to set up and was taken down later that day to get the storefront back to normal by Monday.

All of a sudden I understood the appeal of tent living to Mughal emperors. I had written a story for HI Luxury a while ago, which mentioned these moveable palaces. How wonderful to have been able to pack up and go anywhere.

Garcia and his wife Yvonne Chapman of Yvonne Floral Design were among the vendors Namba considers among the best on the island, who were invited to participate in the bridal event. Also represented were Cakeworks, Kiss & Makeup, jewelry from The Meng Dynasty, A Perfect Day wedding coordination, Blue Nalu Photography, invitations from Stacey Emi Shiroma of Emi Ink, and Ninja Entertainment Productions.

It would be cool to have another fashion show under a tent like the one Nordstrom staged last year. But that must have been one very expensive show and who has the budget these days? Apparently, brides to be, who the vendors say will cut back on their guest list before cutting back on perfection in every other aspect of their wedding.

Variations of Ann: From left, Julie Ann Aragaki, Anne Namba and Anna Meng teamed up to present a “Dream Weddings” event in conjunction with Hawaii Bride & Groom magazine. Meng dressed Namba’s model brides in diamonds, and put the designer in a $45,000 necklace of 18K white gold with 12.98 carats of white diamonds and 9.53 carats of cognac diamonds, plus $29,000 diamond earrings.

You’ll see many examples of Namba’s bridal gowns across this blog with a search for Namba’s name, but here’s a rare detail shot.

Designing duo, Yvonne Chapman and Alex Garcia, who specialize in mood setting. Below are two examples of Chapman’s floral work on view at the event.

This floral arrangement incorporates variegated kale.

Feathers give this bouquet a playful feel.

Fondant wedding cake from Cake Works.

Julie Ann relaxes after the event with her husband Keith.

By Nadine Kam

Nadine Kam photos
The happy couple, Yu Shing Ting and Travin Makinano.

After quietly marrying last August, Travin Makinano and my Midweek compadre Yu Shing Ting finally had their dream reception and renewal of vows on the lawn of Waikiki Aquarium the evening of July 12.

As the invitation read, the ceremony was one with “no gown, no bouquet, not even a cake,”and I suppose, for a style editor, that just wouldn’t do.The bride wanted a green wedding so ono Hawaiian food was served on recycle-able paper plates and had small bouquets made of a mix of real and keepsake plastic flowers. Guests also received small paper hearts studded with wildflower seeds to sprout at home or wherever a touch of color or greenery is needed.

The bridesmaids — all 10 of them — plus maid of honor were dressed in green ruffled strapless dresses by Fighting Eel, while the ushers and best man wore aloha shirts from Hawaiian Moon. The bride looked beautiful in a simple, strapless white gown with a shirred bodice and small train that Travin dutifully lifted off the ground as she walked.

Congratulations Yu Shing and Travin!

Photographers had to stand back to get the entire wedding party in the picture!

A few more photos follow. (more…)

By Nadine Kam

Nadine Kam photos
From left, going for the long look, were Spa Hawai’i Magazine & Directory editor Kapua Inglis, Modern Pacific Weddings and Events Regan Schultz, and SHMD creative director Tiare Friedman. Kapua and Tiare wear Maui designer Tamara Catz designs from Persimmon on the Big Island. Schultz is in Nicole Miller, which she carries at her 3620 Waialae Ave. showroom.

A little much-needed rain didn’t spoil the July 3 premiere party for Spa Hawai’i Magazine & Directory. It’s one of those great ideas, where, considering all the spas that have sprung up in the last decade, you go, why didn’t I think of that?

The party on the lawn of the fabulous Moana was presented by Regan Schultz’s Modern Pacific Events, an extension of her Modern Pacific Weddings for those who want a party without that nuptial component.

Roxanne Vogelgesang and Bo Alexander. Roxanne said she likes the long look, but says the extra fabric does make it harder to walk.

When I arrived, I couldn’t help but notice the fashion statement being made. If there was any doubt before that the maxi, or currently, patio dress is back, it seems that women are indeed willing to go long. I wanted to take photos of lots of them, but at about 7 p.m. it started to get dark really fast. When the rain started, the party simply scooted over a couple yards indoors and under cover of the lanai.

While there, spa specialists were also introduced to products and services offered by Makana Esthetics Wellness Academy, Malie Organics from Kauai, the online beauty and skincare company Artistry, and a sneak preview of soon-to-launch Pure & True Organic Beauty. (more…)

By Nadine Kam

Photo courtesy Ann Kagawa Lee

A few months ago I put a notice of a toilet-paper wedding gown contest in the paper and it’s paying off for finalist Ann Kagawa Lee, who already won a trip to New York for final judging of her creation at the Ripley’s Believe it or Not! museum.

That’s so great! It was an oddball kind of item, but having been inspired by a T-paper gown game at The Wedding Cafe and The Bridal Boutique at the time, I figured that creating toilet-paper wedding gowns is just one more of our citizenry’s many talents.

Putting things in the paper involves some guesswork as to what people will want to read/what they should read, but it’s worthwhile if an item does get the right person to respond.

Go Ann!

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Russell Tanoue is putting out the call to vote for dancer Mark Kanemura.

Speaking of talent, a more traditional kind involves the Fox reality competition, “So You Think You Can Dance?” Photographer Russell Tanoue has launched the campaign to vote for local dancer Mark Kanemura, who’s made it into the top 18 so far.

The program airs at 7 p.m. today, the 18th, with the voting period following the show, and elimination tomorrow at 8 p.m. It’s one of my favorite shows because the dancers are so talented and the choreography is amazing.

The girls have taken a back seat to the guys in past years, but look really strong this year. The guys are more technically trained than ever, but better watch out!

By Nadine Kam

www.junkoyoshioka.com
Junko Yoshioka designs wedding gowns and evening wear and we’ll be seeing her creation for Loretta Ables Sayre Sunday night.

There’s a lot of downsides to fame, but one of the perks is being dressed by designers in garments made just for you.

Loretta Ables Sayre, nominated for a Tony for her role as Bloody Mary in Broadway’s “South Pacific,” will be attending the Sunday awards ceremony in a full-sweep gown by Junko Yoshioka, made of chiffon and silk faille, in teal. The awards telecast will be at 7 p.m. on KGMB/CBS.

Don’t have a picture of it, but you know how stars love to keep us surprised.

Junko has also dressed Jessica Alba, Helen Hunt, Claire Forlani, and Courtney Ford for her wedding to “Superman” Brandon Routh.