By Nadine Kam

Associated Press photos
Shown on the Louis Vuitton spring-summer 2010 runway in Paris today.

While a lot of attention during the European shows gravitated toward what was on the models’ feet, Marc Jacobs again showed he was ahead of the pack, by leading the Louis Vuitton show with ’shroomy afros appearing to be as large as the garments themselves. You can’t help but stare at the huge puffballs, that on top of the models’ skinny bodies also resembled dandelions.

Get beyond that, and you might notice the original suiting and tactile dresses.

By Nadine Kam

A couple of respected names in Hawaii beauty and fashion continue to be hailed in the bigger pond of national media as well:

J Salon has been named as one of ELLE’s Top 100 Salons in America and will be featured in the magazine’s August 2009 issue. J Salon is the only Hawaii salon to make the list, placing Joe Randazzo’s company in league with such renowned salons as Oribe Salon in Miami, Butterfly Studio in New York City, Warren Tricomi in Los Angeles and Maxine in Chicago.

If your hair is in need, book your appointment at 550-4441. The salon is at 1240 Ala Moana Blvd. Find out more at www.jsalon.com.

Where Eva Longoria goes, the paparazzi follow, and last week she just so happened to be wearing a Fighting Eel dress when she headed to Katsuya restaurant in L.A. Photographs of the actress in FE’s fall Tube Iris duly appeared on InStyle.com and People.com, with InStyle calling attention to pairing of the Fighting Eel dress with Louboutin heels, calling it the “Look of the Day” for July 23.

I’ve been living in Fighting Eel over the long hot summer, and plan to pack a bunch of their dresses for NY Fashion Week. I like that they manage to be comfortable, but dressy when occasions demand it, and also manage to pack down to next to nothing. There’s nothing beautiful about sweating and struggling with a suitcase so even before the airlines started charging for extra luggage, I only traveled with one carry-on. Yeah, I pick up stuff on the road, but always ship things home rather than lug them around.

By Nadine Kam

Aubrey Hawk photo
The KITV Island Television News This Morning team, from left, Yasmin Dar, Dan Meisenzahl, Mahealani Richardson and Amber-Lynn Hyden had some fun at J Salon before hopping into the stylists’ chairs. At far left is J Salon owner Joe Randazzo.

Had some fun with the KITV morning news crew last Friday when they were at J Salon for a team bonding session to welcome Yasmin Dar to the telecast with makeovers that would allow them to put up a united, cohesive face on air.

That makes sense. You see some newscasts where outfits clash — some are in suits, some aloha wear, some scoop-necked T-shirts — and it’s jarring. It’s not like I’m not going to watch the news because of the way someone is dressed, but it can be distracting. Instead of listening to the news, I sometimes listen to the voice in my head that’s complaining, “Put a jacket on, will ya?” “What happened to looking like a professional?” or “Someone needs to hire a stylist.” And I’m not even that critical or distracted by looks.

I would think that the distraction of one’s appearance is a concern for anyone trying to communicate. I find that to be true when I’m talking to men sometimes. They’re looking at me and pretending to listen, but I get the feeling their mind is blank, or saying, “When will this be over,” and they’re not hearing a word. (more…)

By Nadine Kam

Nadine Kam photos
Party on the lawn at the Bayer Estate, oceanside in Aina Haina.

Nikolai Tsang of Jade by Nikolai celebrated the 13th out of 15 days in the Chinese New Year Saturday with a dinner party and shopping event on the beautiful lawn of the Bayer Estate in Aina Haina.

Longtime clientele had an opportunity to see pieces that may not otherwise be shown here after Nikolai cancelled a trip to Dubai due to new international trade regulations that would have made it impossible to reintroduce her unsold jade pieces back into this country.

She always throws a great party, and this was the first I’ve attended that’s been outdoors. The lawn was dressed in auspicious reds and golds, with red lanterns circling the dinner area.

Adding more sparkle to the event was Kristin Wood, known for eyelash extensions, and now, touches of Thai Silk tied to individual strands of hair for a Mylar-like shine. I had a few strands of blue and dark purple which I thought would somehow work with my dark hair with red stripes from Christmas.

Jewelry designer and host Nikolai Tsang (right), in an Anne Namba creation, greets Susan Todani. Both wear Nikolai’s jewelry.

The event helped to invite happiness and good fortune for the Year of the Ox, which is not generally deemed to be an auspicious one. Check out this Wall Street Journal story. We all need as much help as we can get, and feng shui master and teacher Clarence Lau was there to offer some clothing advice.

He said I had too much water in my Chinese horoscope sign — particular to a person’s birth year and time — which means that I’m quick to learn but also too interested in too many things, so I lack focus. Well, that’s true so I really have the job I’m adapted to, which allows me to parachute into many places with quick deadlines that come up before I have time to lose interest in a subject. His recommendation, for a start, is to wear more reds, oranges, yellows, pinks, purples, colors to counter watery blues. And he told me no blacks and whites, when probably 80 percent of my closet is black. And this was after I had bought a black jade piece from Nikolai.

Guests study pieces of jade, gold and semi-precious stone jewelry. The butterfly is one of Nikolai’s favorite motifs.

(more…)

By Nadine Kam

Affinage photos
Red hair is notorious for fading, but the color is said to be no problem for Affinage.

If your hair color looks dull, you may be able to update it via an Affinage model call being presented this week by Salon Concepts International.

There is a $30 fee to cover the cost of products, but the service is free.

A few slots are available Thursday, and possibly Friday, for those willing to help introduce professional hair color described as being “guaranteed to leave your hair silky and shiny, give you the best gray coverage, last longer than any other hair color (even reds) and will not damage hair or scalp.”

Your hair color will be done under the guidance of Michael Elving, International Director of Education and celebrity stylist, and Carolyn Rivera Hulihee. For more information, call Carolyn at Carolyn at 457-7149.

Affinage International Hair Cosmetics launched in 1988 and is now one of the world’s fastest growing haircare companies.

By Nadine Kam

Aveda photo

It’s natural to let go of some of our upkeep during the summer months when it’s hot, you feel a little lazy and there’s not as much going on as during the fall and spring months.

But fall is coming on fast and if your locks need a touchup, Aveda Lifestyle Salon & Spa at Ala Moana Center may be able to help. The salon is hosting its annual Cut-a-thon tomorrow, Aug. 27, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. The cost for shampoo, conditioner and haircut (no blow dry or styling), will be $35 (cash only).

Limited appointments; reserve at 947-6141.

By Nadine Kam

Christian Siriano’s black plaid taffeta “London Guard” ruffle jacket (foreground) is priced at $480 on Bluefly. The black metallic wool “Dinner at 8″ jacket is $520 at the site.

Yes, another season of “Project Runway” is underway, and though the results have been lackluster thus far, snarky blogs have been declaring Christian Siriano so over.

His exclusive capsule collection for Bluefly might prove them wrong. It’s pretty much what we expect from him and appears to be well-executed. Price points are right up there with Phillip Lim which will deter the casual fan from wearing his stuff, but I’d wear his designs any day. He stands to be the only actual “next great American designer” the show has actually produced.

Watch Christian’s video here.

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Meanwhile, the fierce one is also collaborating on a promotion with Brickfish.com and TRESemmé, asking the question, “How “Fierce” is Your Hair?”

Those 21 and older at the time of entry have until Aug. 25 to enter your fiercest hairstyle by submitting your photo and 100-word-or-less description to Brickfish.com. The winner will receive a two-night, all-expenses paid trip for two to New York City to meet with the TRESemmé “Project Runway” styling team who will give you an equally fierce hairstyle to match a haute new outfit designed for you by Christian.

In addition, 10 winners, selected by TRESemmé, from the top 150 most viral entries will win a year’s supply of lead stylist Jeanie Syfu’s four favorite TRESemmé products.

And one winner who signs up in the campaign highlights section will be randomly selected weekly to win six products from the TRESemmé Thermal Creations collection.

Get to it. From what I’ve seen so far, they have not begun to see how fierce we can be!

By Nadine Kam

One more contest: Head to Bar 35 July 26 for the “Harajuku Lovers Live” hair and makeup competition. Ulupono salon, W-Salon, and Sanctuary Salon will be in the house with a photographer on site taking pics of all the excitement.

Hawaii Red magazine, at www.hawaiiredmagazine.com, will feature the contest winner in an upcoming issue, promising virtual immortality, second best to instant fame and notoriety.

For those who crave neither, the opportunity to gawk is also a wonderful thing. Starts at 9 p.m.

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Speaking of Harajuku Lovers, check out these cute totes/back-to-school book bags from the line: Juku in Navy, $58; Candy in Green, $95; Bishoujo in Red, $58.

By Nadine Kam

Photos by Nadine Kam
Class is in session at CHOP Salon. Coby Alcantar works on Danielle Doucette’s hair.

CHOP Salon was the site of an inspiration educational session presented by Bumble & Bumble’s Coby Alcantar for stylists islandwide on June 9.

It was rather technical for this beauty school drop-in with all that talk about inversions and arrowheads, etc., but I got the big picture of easing up on rigid technique for styling that’s more about naturalness and flow suiting the individual.

The guinea pigs, or models, were Danielle Doucette, Heilika Leinus and Cass Gravitt, daughter of our business reporter Erika Engle, who said of the floppy mohawk cut afterward, “I wish I could see more of her eyes, but I like it.”

I’m afraid I was so inspired that I went home and tried lopping off some of my own bangs, which didn’t work out all that well. As simple and messy as my haircut by an S.F. stylist seemed to be — considering it has a lot of what Coby termed “messy bits” all around and was done dry while I was standing in a rather unorthodox venue — it is actually more precise than I thought.

So, yeah, don’t try it at home unless you’re prepared to live with the results. As Coby said, she loves it when people cut their own hair. That’s an indication they’ll try anything, plus, they’ll probably visit a salon soon afterward.

From left, Cass Gravitt in floppy mohawk, Heilika Leinus and Danielle Doucette were happy with their loose, updated ‘dos.

By Nadine Kam

If you’re looking for something to do tonight, mixmix is hosting a First Friday event with Japan stylist Hiro from Tokyo, and Yoshi “Garo” Ogino of Affloat from Aoyama, where he is known as
a beauty magician from his work on fashion shows, TV productions, celebrities and models. They’ll be performing hair and makeup makeovers from 7:30 p.m.

It’ll be a busy weekend with the following also going on:

Today through May 11

>> This is your reminder that Mother’s Day is on May 11. To help you shop for the occasion, Alliway at Ward Warehouse is hosting a Mother’s Day sales event, with 35 percent off Alliway jewelry and including gift wrapping. While there, enter to a $10 gift certificate to the store by entering its monthly “count the beads” contest. Information: 589-1141.

Saturday

The Pretty Me line of kids and women’s wear will be highlighted in Kahala Mall’s “Wild for Mom” family fashion show at 12:30 p.m. on center stage at Kahala Mall. Pretty Me is co-sponsoring the show with Kahala Kids, the exclusive retailer of Pretty Me clothes at the mall. Other retailers to be featured are Adore, Banana Republic, Blush, Calista, Cinnamon Girl, In My Closet, Kahala Kids, Macy’s, Ohelo Road, Shasa Emporium, Sunglass Hut and VUE Hawaii.

Sunday

>> The Hawaii Red Cross honors eight founding members of the Tiffany Circle at a Halekulani Luncheon on Sunday, highlighted by a prize drawing for three pieces of Tiffany jewelry.
Honorees are Carolyn A. Berry, Joey Harris, Kitty Lagareta, Kimi Matar, Camille McCormack, Jean E. Rolles, Madison Shimada and Barbara Wong. The event will begin with a noon champagne reception, silent auction and informal modeling by Tiffany & Co. jewelry, also featuring fashion by New York designer Angel Sanchez. Tickets are $250, to benefit American Red Cross services in Hawaii. Call 739-8151.

>> Honolulu Theatre for Youth hosts a fundraiser “Fashion Fiesta Children’s Fashion Show and Luncheon,” 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Kahala Hotel & Resort. The fashion show will feature 50 kids of all ages, wearing apparel from Cinnamon Girl, Crazy Shirts, Hawaiian Moon, Fighting Eel, Pretty Me (at Kahala Kids), Local Motion, In4Mation, CupCake Boutique, Muumuu Heaven, Nakea Awai and KariJane. If you’re attending, wear a hat. HTY will honor the fanciest, largest and funniest hat worn by a guest. (Speaking of which, I’m doing tea today and forgot to wear one, even though excuses to wear a hat are so rare.) Tickets are $125. Call Tim Bostock, 521-9699, or e-mail tbp@artsatmarks.com.

>> Student designers from Honolulu Community College will show their work in “Behind the Seams,” a fashion show taking place at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel, with more than 100 original designs from 20 students, including seven seniors. The show starts at 1 p.m., preceded by lunch at 11:30 a.m. Tickets are $35. Call 845-9203.