By Nadine Kam

Guy Kawasaki photo
The signs are the same wherever you go, so I’m sure Guy won’t mind if I borrow one off of his blog taken at Stanford Shopping Center the week after Christmas.

Yes, I’m afraid that this is one of the signs of the times. Like any addiction, I don’t think that our society can quit shopping cold turkey overnight. I still see people shopping out there, scooping up post-Christmas bargains, but for retailers, it’s probably nowhere near the amounts they’ve been accustomed to seeing over the past five years.

Those who cannot see beyond the sale signs must be ecstatic about signs reading 60 percent off, but that is short-sighted. Maybe they don’t see how interconnected we are as a society, and that as retailers’ fortunes go, so do our own. A lack of business will mean more will close (International Council of Shopping Centers is predicting that up to 73,000 retail establishments could close in the first half of 2009), more people will lose jobs, leaving fewer to support the businesses that remain — it’s a cycle just like the one that brought boom times here, but a vicious, downward one.

As a result, I am — cautiously spending. I feel lucky to still have a job and that my income hasn’t changed. But, like a lot of investors, I did lose a boatload of money in the stock market this year, which I feel compelled to replace, and the only way to do that now is the painful, old-fashioned way of saving. Which means, for now, going easy on the credit cards.

For me, it’s not that hard because I was never one to spend money I didn’t already have in the bank. But, it has meant rethinking the $300 to $600 dress, and post-Christmas, the only thing I’ve bought for myself was a black Rebecca Taylor jacket on sale at Neiman Marcus for about $190, to replace my ratty old Theory jacket. In past years, I usually picked up three to four things at the same sale.

I plan to acquire only two other things in January, a new season $69 A/X mini skirt and a navy J.Crew T-shirt. Simple and streamlined, which I think is a direction people are heading as they lose their appetite for consumption. Like I said, I don’t think we’ll stop buying, but we’ll buy less at lower prices and with more consideration.

Instead of buying the pieces above on the spot as I might have in the past, I actually went home first to think about how they would fit into my wardrobe. There were a few other things I considered but decided I can live without.

I noticed some designers are starting the process of bringing down prices by changing fabrication to soft cottons that have a cocoony, homespun comfort to them. I’m also seeing prices drop to 2006 levels that still had some connection to real incomes.

For 2009, I am hoping for an end to CEO greed and a return to realness all around. Real wages for people who work for the good of the economy and real pricing based on real quality and real integrity.

This is my last rant for 2008. I will try to be more cheerful in 2009.

If you have time, I would love hearing about what you’re buying and not buying and why.

What has changed is people have become more patient in waiting for bargains as they’ve noticed items lingering on the racks to the end of the season.

I still see people shopping out there, scooping up the post-Christmas bargains, but who knows how people will behave in 2009?

The most sensitive among us have lost their appetite for consumption.

By Nadine Kam

PhotoluluTV video

Been thinking over the past couple of days about the Black Friday tragedy of a temp employees’ death at a Long Island Wal-Mart, as well as the mob scene at our own Honolulu Wal-Mart as captured in a YouTube video from www.photolulu.com

It was sad all around. Bad behavior on the part of those who were there, and equally bad behavior on the part of video commentators rich enough to smugly avoid such scenes while shaking their heads and passing judgment on people, some of whom, wanting to have a good Christmas, have little choice but to slavishly show up at times designated by retailers who are being cruel when they set such tight buying windows, knowing the frenzy that will ensue when there’s demand for certain goods.

It was depressing to me because, given the shape of the economy, I thought this might be a saner holiday season, with people finally waking up from their shopping feeding frenzy and cutting back in response to the new economic reality.

For many of my friends and me, this has meant curtailing the annual gift exchange and new pacts to get together for brunches and dinners to simply enjoy one another’s company, starting with a recent birthday three-fer. Where once we might have headed for the most expensive new restaurant in town, accompanied by massive gift exchange, this time we made a trip to Cholo’s in Haleiwa, followed by dessert at Higher Ground in Wahiawa — with the birthday girls, me included, paying their own way — ending at one’s home for friendly rounds of “Guitar Hero” and a whole batch of Wii games during which we beat each other to a pulp and were dying laughing while boxing.

I have to admit that, writing about fashion, shopping and the latest trends probably doesn’t help the situation. But, in doing my job, I assume the understanding that we’re all adults who can figure out many of these things are nice to have IF we have the money. That’s a bif IF, and it’s sad that so many have forgotten the last part of the equation and now feel entitled to all the things they think everyone else has.

Maybe they’d be surprised to find others actually live with less than they appear because of trade-offs.
I like to own clothes, so while I might like to own an iPod, an iPhone, and my own Wii system, “Guitar Hero” and “Rock Band,” I have written them off as luxuries I can’t afford to have. I’d probably be a better musician if I practiced on my real drum kit anyway.

I don’t even have a good TV. I lived with sound flitting in and out for about a year, and when a friend’s brother was replacing his 20-year-old, 19-inch TV, I got it. It feels like the Stone Ages, but so what? I would hate feeling my life revolved around TV.

Do I miss having these things I don’t have? Not at all. It’s OK with me because I pretty much grew up with Great Depression values passed on by grandparents to my parents and down to me. It wasn’t until I got to college that I met up with a new bunch of people whose life’s mantra was, “The person who dies with the most toys wins.” I see signs of that kind of thinking everywhere, from Wall Street on down, and we’re experiencing the fallout of greed and me-thinking.

In the local Wal-Mart video, the crowd is clamoring for portable DVD players. It’s sad to see what people had to go through to get them, but it’s sadder to think about the values they’re passing onto their children. While they could use the current economic downturn to teach them about the real meaning of Christmas, and that living with less isn’t the end of the world, instead they’re showing them that getting a DVD player, cheap, is worth the cost of human dignity.

By Nadine Kam

If you’re wondering why I am disappeared, I am on vacation. Sadly, a staycation given the economic situation. Not that I didn’t see it coming. About two years ago my b.f. and I sold our respective homes to get ready for the coming downfall. There was no way housing prices could be that high, with incomes not budging. Too many people were looking only at their monthly payment, without looking at what they actually owed.

I started telling all my friends to start saving because the crash would be bad. I just didn’t think it would be this soon (I thought we had two more years to save and invest) and this rapid.

It all sort of puts a damper on fashion talk. It feels like 9/11 all over again. I guess I mentioned this on Twitter, because one of my followers wailed, “Nooooo, ur the one who is supposed to buuuyyyy, that’s not right!”

People who love fashion will continue to love fashion, but conspicuous consumption may have to take a back seat for a little while. Otherwise, it would be the equivalent of going to a funeral in a pink pouffy dress. One of the measures of fashion, after all, is appropriateness.

After 9/11, fashion did take an exuberant turn, as if to lift spirits. That’s when Marc Jacobs came up with his Conte de Fees line of fairy tale patchwork handbags for Louis Vuitton. Maybe that’s why, at Roberta Oaks’ SideSHOW sale over the weekend, I came away with one of her fuchsia tank tops and a bright, multi-color patchwork skirt sewn from multi-color scarves. It was so happy and I feel happy wearing it. Spring 2009 is looking especially buoyant. I can’t wait.

Anyway, I will be checking in with all the people I never get to meet up with when I’m working. I’ll also be keeping up with email and will be back at work on Nov. 3. I may still be Twittering, but I probably won’t be updating this blog until the 27th. See ya soon.

By Nadine Kam

Mainichi photo
Considering the state of the union, we may all be longing for childhood naivete and the comfort of Teddy bears, Ugly dolls other cuddly toys, soon.

There’s a small contingency of Gothic Lolita fans in Hawaii, who may not care about the shows in New York, Milan or Paris, but may want to see the latest from the Marui Individual Fashion Expo IV that took place Tuesday in Tokyo.

For more photos and details, you might want to check out patrickmacias.blogs.com

Meanwhile, fashion historian Valerie Steele says a Goth revival is hitting the mainstream with this week’s opening of the “Dark Glamour” exhibition at New York’s Fashion Institution of Technology, the start of HBO’s new vampire series “True Blood,” and the film version of Stephenie Meyer’s “Twilight” vampire novels slated to arrive at theaters in November.

Wearing black will be easy. Sort of fits the somber mood that has gripped the nation this year. Anyone who has watched their stock portfolios steadily decline is probably already walking around in a zombie-like haze.

One of the things said about Japan’s fondness for things kawaii, is that it emerged in the 1970s as a response to teens’ feelings of powerlessness against rigid social hierarchies. They reacted by retreating into passivism and infantilism. Many believe it is a delayed reaction to the nation’s loss during World War II, from which they certainly recovered financially and materialistically, but psychologically, the mistrust of institutions and sense of nihilism that grew out of the experience isn’t something easily dismissed. It just makes me wonder what lasting damage is taking place within our own country at the moment.

By Nadine Kam

Bravo
Rachel Zoe, left, and her assistants Brad and Taylor.

The latest must-see TV for the fashion set, especially anyone with stylist ambitions, is Bravo’s “The Rachel Zoe Project” that airs Tuesday nights.

I know, I know, she’s the stylist so many seem to hate and she’s an easy target with her high-profile Hollywood glam-boho style, and all the celeb dressing, in her own image. I just read where a New York Times reporter reviewing the show said Rachel is “a pox on humanity—exploiting an aesthetic of dissipation, invading our collective consciousness and spraying it with dummy dust.”

Them’s pretty strong words, but my feeling is that the woman deserves a lot of respect because styling is tough work. It’s extremely stressful to have the responsibility to both client and for her, A-list designers. There’s been a lot of political talk lately about putting lipstick on pigs, and the fashion equivalent is putting the wrong designs on the wrong bodies. Major designers are very careful about their image and few people are able to earn the trust of both clients and the designers, which makes me think there’s a lot of sour grapes in the criticism out there.

One legit piece of criticism is the sameness of the red carpet because of stylists’ fear of a misstep. But consider the celebrity client. They’re not out to challenge anyone with their fashion sense. Their only concern is looking pretty, and for the vast majority of the American audience, pretty and extravagant is as good as it gets.

Rachel Zoe inspects some of the water damage on Episode 2. Wonder how the designers reacted on seeing the episode.

What’s funny is her deadpan reaction to the most dire circumstances. On last night’s episode, her studio flooded and thousands of dollars worth of designer gowns were sitting with their hems in water and colors running. A lot of sh** happens in styling and you try to prevent it and cope as much as possible without freaking out, which gets you nowhere. (more…)

By Nadine Kam

Rebecca Taylor look for Spring 2009. Nice shoes.

New York Fashion Week starts tomorrow, so I am moaning at my desk, wondering why I decided not to go while beauty bloggers try to offer some consolation, telling me on Twitter, “Don’t worry, we’ll spare you the sore feet,” and “Hopefully, we’ll cover it so you’ll feel like you’re there.”

Well, yeah, now I remember the sore feet bit, and I guess that could be equated with childbirth, painful but the pain is forgotten by the time the next one comes around.

I am sure if I were there I would be moaning about the distance and the timing of the shows and why I am killing myself trying to get to as many shows and parties as possible, when, of course the answer is, “You only live once,” and it’s not every day you can share space with Diane Von Furstenberg, Damien Hirst and the Olsen twins.

Check out the schedule here.

I have the feeling that the Spring 2009 garments to be shown will be exceptionally pretty because, given the state of the economy, designers will have to work extra hard to entice people to buy.

By Nadine Kam

The dress.

Well, I guess I spoke too soon when I said I wouldn’t be adding to my wardrobe over Labor Day weekend. After I wrote that Friday, I headed home, then out for dinner, when a friend called and said a top I had admired at Betsey Johnson had gone on sale and did I want her to buy it or put it on hold for me. “It’s $75, $75!” she emphasized.

“Uh, well, I have to try it on,” I said, but told her to go ahead and put it on hold.

So I went to Ala Moana first thing Saturday morning, just before the store opened, but what I had really looked at that night was the same design, as a dress with a feminine 1930s-40s vibe. I tried both on, and even though the top was on sale, I still liked the dress better for ease of wear. With the top I’d still have to hunt for the right pencil skirt — darn, I had just passed on a good M Missoni one on sale at NM weeks ago — or jeans, which I rarely wear. So I got the dress AND a peace dove bracelet.

The bracelet.

I interviewed the designer at the time the Honolulu boutique opened and it’s amazing to think it was only then that — although she’s been in business for 30 years — she was just starting to license her brand, which seemed very belated. Girls would have killed long before now for Betsey Johnson jewelry, shoes, sunglasses, purses, etc. But, I get it. When you’re so engrossed in the day-to-day biz, it’s hard to address the future beyond the next collection. I don’t envy designers. It’s a tough business, hard to predict consumers’ future desires and you pretty much have to make the right call every season.

Anyway, my friend called while I was in the store and goes, “Are you buying it and would you mind if I buy the same thing?”

She was in the mall so walked over and ended up with the top, so I guess it all worked out. I don’t know how other people feel about friends buying the same clothes, though it seems to happen to me now more than ever. I guess it’s natural for people who hang out together to share or grow into similar tastes, but it makes it hard when you have to check in with each other to make sure you’re not wearing the same thing at the same time.

By Nadine Kam

Yahoo photo

Ahh, one of the great mysteries of the Olympics has been solved by opening the Yahoo home page this morning.

I guess a lot of people had the same question I had when looking at Kerri Walsh, which is, what is that black stuff she’s wearing on her shoulder? Many thought it was a tattoo, but it was raised and looked velvety to me. Turns out to be medical tape.

A lot of feature stories are born this way, out of those hundreds of trivial things that make you go huh? in the course of a day.

Check out the feature here.

By Nadine Kam

ABC photo
The happy couple, DeAnna Pappas and Jesse Csincsak.

I wasn’t going to post anything on “The Bachelorette,” but you know how after the finales people sometimes just want to talk about it, and some people were snooping around doing searches for the show, so I thought I’d add my 2 cents.

I started watching the series after Andy Baldwin’s turn, so I’ve been keeping up with poor DeAnna’s story since she was ditched by her bachelor Brad.

What’s funny is how the audience can get so involved and feel like we’re getting to know the bachelors as well, though I think the premise is a little weird. It’s like sending a person into an office of 30 people and saying, “OK, fall in love with one person.” It’s kind of eww-y, not to mention limiting. I’m so thankful to be in a relationship. I think in the past 10 years I’ve only met two people I’ve been attracted to. One was gay; one was like Ashton to my Demi and as cool as it may be to find a guy who’s not ageist. I don’t think a big age difference works for most women. As smart, creative, gorgeous and interesting as this guy was, when he talked about stuff it was all the sort of thing I’d already been through. Having been there, done that, I have no need of repeating any stage of my life. In Hollywood, freedom and financial stability can be great equalizers. In the real world, you really want to be in the same place. Or at least I do.

So DeAnna’s choosing snowboarder Jesse over stable Jason made sense to me. Both seem like such great guys. With Jason I could see her settling into comfortable, happy routine. With Jesse, there was more of a sense that, at 26, they are both in the same place and that life would be an adventure in terms of personal growth and building a life together.

Of course we hate unrequited love and lack of closure to our stories, so one poster has already suggested that ABC make Jason the next bachelor. That would be great. He deserves a second chance like DeAnna.

By Nadine Kam

eLuxury.com photo
I now have the adult version of this 3.1 Phillip Lim children’s clipped feather swing skirt. (It’s not actually feathers, but fabric.)

It was with great sadness that I discovered a 3.1 Phillip Lim skirt for $250 on eLuxury, after I had paid more than $300 on sale. I was relieved to find it was a children’s skirt I was looking at, though if I had known there was a children’s size available, I definitely would have tried to squeeze into the 9/10 or so.

Maybe the sales gods just haven’t been with me, because I had eyed a black See by Chloe top at Nordstrom when it opened. It was more than $400, and now, it was gone. All the See by Chloe and Phillip Lim stuff were gone. I was kind of mad that my boyfriend had told me earlier not to get it, not because of the price, but because it had a rather large bow in front and he hates extraneous, fussy, frilly things — which I guess makes me wonder why he likes me.

It’s not like he runs my wardrobe or anything, but if he speaks I must listen because when it comes to clothes, he’s generally right. A guy with a good eye can be your best shopping ally because he’s less likely to indulge your fantasy life and dress the real, often dumpier you.
It’s a fact that in a dressing room I’m another person, so I come out with some choices that are good for someone else, and pretty bad for me. It helps that I’ve sought the opinion of one of our photographers here, Craig Kojima, who was pretty brutal. So now when I try things on, I always hear his voice saying, “That does nothing for you.”

If you’re about to make a mistake, just say those words and see if they’re true or false. Something worth buying will make your body look better than it really is. The no’s will be obvious. Something marginal will be just OK, neither excellent or bad on you. It’s the marginal things that pose the greatest problem, because they could be easily be yesses. But if you can say, “It does nothing for me,” and walk away, you could end up saving a lot of money, though it still doesn’t stop me from falling in love with individual pieces, rather than the way they look on me.

I wish I could be one of those with classic, appropriate adult style day in and day out, but I have a feeling I’d be bored.