By Nadine Kam

Nadine Kam photos
Mini cupcakes from Cake Couture accompanied delicious pupu from Town restaurant at a party to celebrate the debut of Celine’s Tourbillon collection. It was a cupcake kind of weekend for me, starting with pink-frosted mini cupcakes at Betsey Johnson Thursday, a cupcake going away for our SB intern Bali Fergusson Friday, and heading to lunch at The Contemporary Museum Saturday there was a bridal shower on the lawn with a tiered arrangement of cupcakes for dessert.

A garden party theme party marked the debut of Celine’s new Tourbillon collection of handbags and accessories. The design reflects Celine Vipiana’s passion for horses, and with the swirling pattern that looks like a floral print from a distance is imagery of a carriage race against canvases of white, blue, red, black and green.

Prices start at $165 for a key case to $890 for a travel-size weekend bag.

From left, Celine store manager Miki Hayashi Yim welcomed Maki Takushi, Toshie Taniguchi and Masami Clahan. Maki created dozens of green-hued flower arrangements in many sizes, like the one above, for the event. Knowing the color scheme, she was able to coordinate her outfit — with light green scarf and cream-colored jacket— to match the flowers perfectly!

Celine photo
It’s hard to see, but within the floral, whirling trompe-l’oeil Tourbillon pattern is imagery of a horse, carriage and rider.

Emily Lopez showed up with two dates, her husband Michael Goyne, left, and Kawika Williams.

By Nadine Kam

Nadine Kam photos
Rose Bernardo tries on Betsey Johnson’s 30th anniversary exclusive cardigan. It’s $200.

Guests fueled up on pink cupcakes, pink champagne and pink M&Ms at last Thursday’s party at the Betsey Johnson Ala Moana Center boutique, marking the designer’s 30th anniversary in the biz. How time flies!

No, Betsey couldn’t be here for the celebration, but boutique manager Marilee Mattson said that at a celebration in NYC, women showed up in vintage Betsey and the designer started buying back the clothes off their back. When she was here for the store opening, I wore a Betsey I had picked up in the mid-90s, a pink (natch) princess line dress that came with a black crochet corset-laced bra worn over it. I picked it up in Seattle.

I picked up other things as well, and remember traipsing around the city in a red-and-white cropped top with a black corset over it, and my hair in pigtails. In Seattle, no one bats an eye at such a sight. But, I hate to be stared at so here in Hawaii, I try to disappear into the crowd.

Jeni Heath serves pink cupcakes.

(more…)

By Nadine Kam

I get a lot of very formal invitations in the mail, so what does it take to stand out? The 30th anniversary at Betsey Johnson postcard caught my eye because of its girly, hand-done touch, although I was a bit confused at first because I actually know someone named Betsy and immediately thought, “Oh, Betsy’s having a birthday party at Betsey Johnson,” which is just the sort of thing she’d do.

Turns out, it was 1978 when Betsey Johnson and her business partner and CEO Chantal Bacon officially launched the Betsey Johnson brand on her birthday, Aug. 10 (making her a feisty, dynamic Leo—which even explains her red mane!), and the Ala Moana Center boutique will be marking the occasion with a party from 4 to 7 p.m. tomorrow, Aug. 7. RSVP to attend at 949-3500.

The Betsey Johnson 30th anniversary exclusive sunglasses with faux pearls is $95.

Betsey is offering several birthday exclusives as well, including jewelry, T-shirts, a skull cardigan, and handbag. The items will be available from the time the boutique opens tomorrow. Only a limited number of pieces will be available. Prices range from a $18 thong to $225 for a satin and tulle stiletto shoe with faux pearls, rhinestones, heart-shaped clasp and glitter sole as befitting the designer known for equal parts edginess and girlishness. Looking forward to the next 30!

By Nadine Kam

Photos by Nadine Kam
Heidi Ribeiro, left, and Giselle Pineda, right, helped Joseph Miao and Valerie Ragaza-Miao celebrate the grand opening of the new Valerie Joseph boutique at Ala Moana Center. It was Valerie’s idea to pose with mysterious beauty icon Mona Lisa.

Some in the Twitter universe were worried when they saw the closed doors at the Valerie Joseph McCully boutique. No worries. The boutique has a new home at Ala Moana Center on the ground level fronting Kona Street on the Diamond Head side heading toward Macy’s.

Valerie Ragaza-Miao and Joseph Miao celebrated with a grand opening party Friday night after a marathon 10-day session involving breaking down a wall, glitzing up the interior and moving the last of the Ward location’s — opened just last fall — merchandise over. No doubt Valerie’s interior design skills came in handy, and having long wanted to be in the mall, Joseph is looking forward to staying in place for a while.

Honolulu magazine managing ed. Kathryn Drury Wagner with filmmaker hubby Brett, were among the party guests, as were Brie Thalman, left, and Marylea Conrad, below.

Store employees all wore black, including Chelsie Castillo, left, and Christina Say. They also wore a necklace with a pink rhinestone shoe pendant, a gift from Valerie.

It was a big night for fashion with First Fashion Friday taking place at Aloha Tower Marketplace and a fashion show at Pearl. Giselle Pineda had to leave the party early to get ready for that fashion show. Others had to leave earlier than usual for the grand opening of Elizabeth Watanabe’s Harbor Court Bistro as well which turned out to be so wall-to-wall with people I gave up trying to make my way through the crowd. I’ll go back when it’s a little saner.

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.

>>>><<<<<

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

Nadine Kam photos
Emma Wo walks the bar at the Pearl dressed in Alexander McQueen during a pageant preview.

I’ve never been a fan of the pageant gown. In the right hands, they can be beautiful, but given the showtime quality of the beauty pageant, it’s no coincidence they often look one step removed from ice skaters’ ensembles. Two recent cases: Miss Universe 2008’s Miss Mexico and Miss Dominican Republic gowns, the latter looking like a cracked disco mirror ball.

It’s about time we see real fashion on the pageant runway, though from their perspective, they probably don’t want to distract audiences with a fashion show. Nevertheless, Emma Wo will be wearing Alexander McQueen when she hits the stage for the Miss Teen USA 2008 pageant taking place on Paradise Island in the Bahamas on Aug. 16.

Kristian Lei, with her husband Gavin Vinta, was one of the performers for the evening.
When she’s not singing, she’s preparing for October’s Women’s World Festival.

She gave well-wishers a glimpse of what she’ll be wearing during her send-off party at Pearl Sunday night. Designers Takeo and Eric Eugene Kamakahai’ai Chandler found the McQueen ready-to-wear gown at the Wynn in Las Vegas. Considering the pageant’s locale, they thought the combination of color, lightness and flow would be perfect. I agree. Bahamas weather is a lot like Hawaii’s and one would need to wear color to stand out amidst similar tropical foliage and pristine ocean. (more…)

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

Nadine Kam photos
At So Good Jewelry, from left, are Alen Kaneshiro, Reid Higashi, Kris Muranaka, Christopher Otto, Kristin Imose and Jonah Nakaza-Koizumi. Kris and Kristin wear jewelry off the racks.

So Good Jewelry celebrated its one-year anniversary June 27 with a friends and family party at its Waikiki Trade Center location. Guests were greeted with champagne and strawberries, and all the girls received Alen Kaneshiro and Christopher Otto’s version of the lei, clear necklaces to match what they were wearing! I went home with a lovely clear heart on a long gold-tone chain.

Their costume jewelry, in every style imaginable, is affordably priced and makes sense for those who want to accessorize without paying the high price of gold, and these days, even silver.

They’ve done well in Waikiki, where the concept also makes sense for visitors who can’t bring all the right jewelry with them. They can easily pick up something at the store if it helps them feel more complete.

Happy 1st b-day!

Check it out at 2255 Kuhio Ave., ground floor. Call 926-9588.

Maggie Li and Julie Ann Aragaki try on matching rhinestone headbands. Both wear the necklaces given to them at the door.

The headbands are not only for women, Jerrell Kaeo tries one as a hatband.

Kalie Hoang kept busy ringing up sales.

By Nadine Kam

Nadine Kam photos
From left are Tori Richard, Ltd., president and CEO Josh Feldman, Kahala store manager Krishna Chatterjee, and Kahala creative director Dale Hope.

The Kahala Store celebrated its grand opening with a blessing and pau hana celebration at the Ala Moana Center June 19, with entertainment by Makalei, and kalua pig springrolls and fish and poi on the menu.

It was a kamaaina gathering with all the “kids” — Josh Feldman, son of Mort of Tori Richard; Dale Hope, former Kahala owner and son of Howard of Sun Fashions; Pua Rochlen, son of Dave of Surfline/Jams World — all-grown up and in charge. You can read stories I’ve written about them here: Tori Richard, Kahala, Jams World.

The Kahala brand has been reinvigorated under Tori Richard, revisiting its surf roots. In keeping with the theme, guests left the party with a bar of surf wax, among other things, including an inspirational booklet bound to leave some thinking about the things we take for granted, like grace, family, honor and aloha.

I was just thinking about that this morning, when I was driving and came upon a coned lane, one of many on our roads, and a driver with a bumper sticker that read “Drive with aloha,” sped up to cut me off. I was so mad I took down the license plate number, NWS 836. It wasn’t getting cut off that bugged me as much as the hypocrisy of appropriating the word “aloha,” when that woman clearly had none.

But, I digress. The store, at 800 square feet, was too small to accommodate all the well wishers, so expanded into the mall’s common area and Blue Hawaii Surf across the way. And with an abundance of ginger and maile lei, it was one of the sweetest-smelling parties I’ve been to in a while.

I thanked Mark Cunningham for being a vision in orange in his Kahala shirt and color-coordinated cords. He said, “I’m not afraid of color. Color can’t hurt you,” joking that most people would only wear these colors at Halloween and Thanksgiving, if that. Katye Killebrew sneaked into the picture. (more…)