By Nadine Kam

Another inspired choice by H&M, who announced Monday that its next collaboration will be with British designer Matthew Williamson, who will be creating women’s wear, and for the first time for the designer, a men’s wear collection.

For all the good it does us in Hawaii, the collection will arrive in the stores on April 23, 2009.

He’s noted for his use of color and bold graphic design that led him to work with Pucci, in addition to his own label.

I can’t wait to see what he comes up with. Here’s a taste of his work from his Fall 2008 collection.

By Nadine Kam

Nadine Kam photo
Model Karen Vance, dressed in sequinned skirt ($98) and a crisp white blouse, stands next to a holiday display at Express, which is divided in half into men’s and women’s sections.

In spite of the news that so many people are unemployed or on the verge of it, up to their noses in credit-card debt and having difficulty paying their necessary bills (rent, mortgage, utilities) on time, it sure didn’t look like anything was amiss at the long-awaited opening of Express Friday.

There was an evening celebration at the newest Ala Moana Center boutique, and both girls and guys came to shop for up-to-the-minute styles at prices somewhere between H&M and Zara. I checked back there late Friday and the crowds hadn’t let up. There were still lines to get to the cashier.

Going for the graphic tees, at $16.50 each.

I haven’t seen this much enthusiasm and quickness to spend in a long time, and I think most people Friday were still shopping for themselves rather than thinking ahead to Christmas. I don’t think they were aware, either, that 15 percent of sales from that evening’s event will go to YWCA of Oahu’s Dress for Success Honolulu program.

Shoppers were greeted with a sale, with some items offered at 40 percent off, and if you’re one of those lunatic Black Friday shoppers, you will be able to take an additional 25 percent off your Express purchase between 6 a.m. and noon that day.

Fun dresses for the holiday season.

Express style expert Kevin Matthews was there to share the company’s fun, flirty holiday collection, as well as help customers with their choices. I was particularly enamored of the black strapless cocktail dress with ostrich feather skirt. Who does ostrich feathers at this price point ($248)? And there are colossal necklaces that appear to have been inspired by Dior.

Matthews said Express’s aim is to be a one-stop shop for all aspects of an individual’s lifestyle — work, leisure and play — from Monday to Sunday.

“There are other brands that do this, but we give amazing fashion that does not break the bank,” he said. The idea is to be able to pick up an outfit and still have money left to go out to dinner or to a club, and for girls, looking so good that someone else will pay for your drinks.

Cheers!

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

History was made when Barack Obama was elected president —the first we know of to hit the waves as a surfer and body boarder.

To commemmorate the moment, Crazy Shirts is honoring the Hawaii-born President elect with the release of its “Obama Surfs” white crew-neck T-shirt, available at select retail stores in Hawaii, Laguna Beach and San Diego, as well as online at crazyshirts.com.

“We think it’s really cool that our next President is a kama‘aina and wanted to commemorate this moment in history with a special design,” said Crazy Shirts CEO Mark Hollander. “People around the world saw photos of President-elect Obama showing off his body surfing skills when he was back in Hawaii this summer. Now, we have a shirt that lets everyone know that our next President knows how to live the Crazy Shirts lifestyle, too.”

The front new “Obama Surfs” T-shirt reads “Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness, President Obama 2009,” alongside a wave-riding bodysurfer and the Hawaiian Island chain, while “Obama Surfs” over a barreling wave graces the back. The shirts are available in adult sizes and retail for $25.

By Nadine Kam

Nadine Kam photo
In Nordstrom’s Hugo Boss threads, Bruno Magli shoes and Burberry aviators, Mike Rovner made the leap from mild-mannered assistant editor and page designer to instant celeb status with these Japan visitors.

Surely you know dozens of nice guys, the kind who’s always the friend but not really the type to get the girl. Same with girls and your basic Cinderella story redone over and over in teen films and makeover shows — change the clothes, change the reaction. As much as we hate being thought of as superficial, we all carry images in our minds of who we want to be and who we want to be with and whether we like it or not, others read our clothing as the most immediate and honest expression of who we are. Sadly, people can tell lies about themselves, but appearance (i.e. clothing, hair, makeup) is a more accurate barometer of personality (or lack thereof), where you grew up, age, attention to detail, self-esteem, taste, sophistication, education and socio-economic status, etc. It’s not even being judgmental, which may come later. At the moment a person sees you, he or she is merely reading clues you’re willingly/unwillingly/knowingly/unkowingly broadcasting. And whether you know what’s happening or care, well, that says a lot too.

With the latest James Bond film, “Quantum of Solace” opening tomorrow, it seemed like a fun idea to try dressing one of my co-workers in Bond-like threads to turn him into a sexier more dashing version of himself, inspired by the latest Bond, Daniel Craig.

My first choice was sports dude Paul Arnett, who would clean up nice with a shave, haircut and clothes other than shorts. Unfortunately (or luckily for him) he’s on vacation. So we went with Mike Rovner. Assistant editor. Clean cut. Nice guy. Married, happily, with children. Middle-aged. In other words, the kind of guy no woman looks at twice. (Sorry, Mike! … It could just be me. I always did like the bad boy, to my detriment.)

I didn’t intend for it to be a sociological experiment, but as soon as we got him into his first outfit of a Hugo Boss pullover and jeans, with the help of Aloha Agency’s Andrea Galvin, Nordstrom’s Milton Taira, Trevor Isabel and Sharon Schmidt, he attracted the attention of these two Japanese visitors who wanted to take his photograph and took turns being photographed with him. Totally unexpected, but cute.

You can see our stories in the Nov. 13 print edition. The point of my story is that men don’t have to look or be like Bond to appear more attractive, and although we went with higher-end threads, updating a wardrobe with a few key pieces doesn’t necessarily cost much.

Mike Burley photos

We treated Mike as the star as well, opening doors for him, carrying his shoes and making sure he didn’t lift a finger as far as setting up lights and moving furniture.

Of course that changed after the last shot, as you can see Mike, still in an Armani Collezioni tuxedo, carrying the light stand and umbrella, with Trevor Isabel also moving a flash stand behind him.

Not as graceful as Bond, but a real trooper, scaling the wall on roof of the Nordstrom garage.

By Nadine Kam

Nadine Kam photos
Watch out mom and dad, Luke Hagi is not shy about being surrounded by women, from left, Condesa-Azria Nora Meijide-Gentry, Erika Kauffman and Marisa Gey. Luke modeled Vuitton boys’ wear all evening.

If you were wondering where the boys were Thursday (Oct. 23) night, they were at Louis Vuitton Waikiki. The point of the party was to showcase the store’s new men’s department, which has moved upstairs.

There was one scene stealer among the male models in the house, and a pint-sized one at that. He was Hagi, the son of KGMB’ers Guy Hagi and Kim Gennaula. The little one got at least as much attention as recent Hawaii’s Most Beautiful Man contest winner Hudson Taylor. I see him everywhere since he won the competition last month, even at, of all places, Sephora!

And, for the big boys, Hudson Taylor and Michael Hsia show Louis Vuitton’s menswear for Fall 2008.

Dale Ruff, Regional Vice President Louis Vuitton Hawaii, left, was the evening’s host, with guests, from left, Dialta Alliata di Montereale, Chris Lee and Condesa-Azria Nora Meijide-Gentry. (more…)

By Nadine Kam

Diesel
3oth anniversary “Dirty Thirty” jeans are available today, Oct. 10, only.

Diesel is marking its 30th anniversary today with the unveiling of its one-of-a-kind ‘Dirty Thirty’ jeans, available for one day, today only, at select Diesel stores nationwide, including the Ala Moana Center and Kalakaua Avenue stores.

As a thank you to fans for their loyalty and support, Diesel is offering the premium denim for $50. (Diesel jeans usual entry price point is $160.)

‘Dirty Thirty’ denim will be available in two styles: Matic for women and Heeven for men. They feature detailing such as a back patch with the xXx sign in Roman numerals to commemorate Diesel’s 30 years, along with the words “Dirty Thirty.” Buttons are customized with “Diesel 1978.”

The limited-edition jeans have already sold out in most of Europe and Asia.

By Nadine Kam

Nadine Kam photos
Calli Wagner modeled Escada’s metallic brocade blouse and matching skirt worn with thigh-high black boots.

Escada celebrated its boutique’s new look with a grand re-opening celebration Wednesday, also honoring Violet S. Loo, president of the board of directors for The Contemporary Museum.

Party-goers were treated to informal modeling of Escada’s fall collection of dresses and coats worn with thigh-high boots, while enjoying pupu from Jackie Takeshita’s The Bistro Catering. Boutique manager Mariese Montano-Smith wanted to make sure no one when home hungry, so there were some generous sandwiches that required nibbling while hiding in a back corner of the boutique before rejoining the rest of society.

Greeting guests at the door were Connor Coffin, left, and Sean Herndon, right, pictured with New York-based special events manager Kathryn Knox, and Hawaii boutique manager Mariese Montano-Smith.

Christa Wittmier is surrounded by contenders in the recent “Hawaii’s Most Beautiful Man” contest, from left Ricky Stinar, Sergey Victorovich and Napua Canda. All fashion parties could use more guys from outside the fashion realm. It was funny when Ricky started stripping off his tie and unbuttoning his collar midway through the proceedings. Most women I know like men to dress well, stopping short of caring more about clothes or being more fastidious than we are.

Karen Vance models a skirt and scallop-hem blouse embellished with hundreds of gold bugle beads, tiny sequins and fine, intricate passementerie. The skirt alone is $3,990.

Among the stylish guests were Kim Smith, Margaret Jen Akinaka and Erika Kauffman.

By Nadine Kam

Nadine Kam photos
The top 5 in Saturday’s competition were, from left, winner Hudson Taylor, Anthony Ing, Wayne Coito, Bradley Krzykowski and Ricky Stinar. Taylor is $1,000 richer after picking up the prize check.

The weekend’s Hawai’i Women’s Expo offered the expected clothing, accessories, beauty and health care purveyors, as well as a little eye candy in the “Hawaii’s Most Beautiful Man” contest sponsored by 2Couture.

I was one of 14 judges, including MidWeek’s Yu Shing Ting and the prolific Christa Wittmier, in a contest with 18 hopefuls strutting their stuff in aloha shirts, swim trunks and evening attire.

There were some excitable women in the crowd, but no one moreso than program hosts Iwalani Tseu and 2Couture designer Eric Chandler, who at one point during the swim competition seemed to overheat, blurting, “I need some water!” He wasn’t joking. (more…)

By Nadine Kam

I enjoy Fashion Indie’s “Before They Had Stylists” feature, like these pictures of Kanye. Need I say which is the before and after? THAT’S entertainment!

You can go to http://fashionindie.com/category/style/before-they-had-stylists/

Sorry I couldn’t light it up for you, the Wordpress link function isn’t working right now.