By Nadine Kam

Nadine Kam photos
The owners, from left, Ed Robles, Daniel Dae Kam, Pablo Buckingham and DK Kodama.

The Counter celebrated its grand opening with a party Saturday night that included the red-carpet (that was actually blue) arrivals of “Lost” castmates of Daniel Dae Kim, a co-owner in the endeavor with DK Kodama, Ed Robles and Pablo Buckingham, all there to make sure guests had their fill of mini Counter burgers plus sushi and more grinds from DK’s other restaurant, Sansei Seafood Restaurant and Sushi Bar.

Currently the most buzzed-about restaurant in town, The Counter has been open a month and is already the top-performing franchise in the country. Popularity still has its drawbacks as I keep hearing about hourlong waits, but, like I said in my review, the solution is to go at off-peak hours, like 3 p.m., making it one of those rare places where people are willing to make accomodations rather than be accommodated. When does that ever happen?

From left, Beth Shady, Jorge Garcia, Hannah Cornett and pro surfer turned actress Keala Kennelly.

The space is rather small for a party of the magnitude of Saturday’s event, so people flowed in and out for air. It was probably just as much fun outside with the paparazzi as inside, because the celebs were in a good mood and willing to do just about anything for the cameras, whether stuff their faces or ham it up with mock interviews.

Oh, and the burgers were truly yummy!

I left before Josh Holloway got there, but you can see photos of him at photographer Jeannemarie Viggiano’s Web site blog. She’s in many of the photos, and yours truly is in one of them. (more…)

By Nadine Kam

Nadine Kam photos
Prada area manager Joe Incao with stylist Crystal Pancipanci, left, and makeup artist Jessica Hoffman.

Prada Corp. celebrated the grand opening of its Miu Miu store last night with a well-attended party of some of Honolulu’s most stylish, as well as a handful of celebs, including “Lost’s” Michael Emerson, dressed in crisp white linen, homegrown actress/singer Tia Carrere and “American Idol” season five finalist Katharine McPhee, who’s also working on her acting skills.

Of course dozens came dressed in Prada or Miu Miu, but the person drawing circles of interrogators all night was Ronald Cheung, dressed in a black Commes de Garcons kilt worn over Louis Vuitton neon leggings, with white shirt and very cool cinched buckled top that had an edgy bondage-meets-straitjacket vibe.

Tia Carrere and Katharine McPhee, both dressed in Miu Miu and in town filming “You May Not Kiss the Bride,” produced by Hawaii Film Partners and also starring Mena Suvari. It’s said to about an American pet photographer who gets caught up with Croatian gangsters while on honeymoon with one of the mobster’s daughters.

It was a great party and the floor was so packed that if you saw someone you knew, you had to grab them right away, before they got swallowed up by the crowd, never to be seen again.

From left, party-goers Denise Nakano, Chanel Wong, Candace Konievic, Rod Iasuda and Lesli-Ann Yano.

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By Nadine Kam

Nadine Kam photos
Ashley Layfield is the Spanish jellyfish in “Atlantika.”

Iona Contemporary Dance Theatre presented its splashy fundraiser “Atlantika” Saturday night at the Kahala Hotel & Resort, an event guests won’t be forgetting anytime soon.

Guests followed a procession of mermen, draped in blue veils, into the pool area where they were greeted by the spectacle of dancers reimagined as sea creatures, from a mermaid and feathery anemone at the entrance, to a towering sea dragon on stilts and covered with yards of streaming fabric. This may be one of Iona’s most elaborate events ever, the vision of creative director Cheryl Flaharty.

Among the guests was Henry Ian Cusick (that’s Desmond to non-”Losties”). Many of the guests dressed in blues, greens and other aqua tones to suit the night’s theme, so it didn’t surprise me that some of those I photographed at the beginning of the event ended up in the pool at the end of the night. I was just praying I didn’t end up in the pool by accident while running around the pool to shoot video. I was only sorry that I didn’t capture the moment the guests made their running leap into the pool. I had overheard them plotting, but thought they’d wait until after dessert.

Among those who ended up in the pool was Kenwei Chong, who also tried to get Cheryl into the pool. Dressed in white, she wisely ran for shelter.

Others inched closed to the pool and its warm water when presented with windup toys, that swam away, sometimes too far for them to reclaim, causing much sadness among the big “kids.”At a typical event, I might shoot 20 video clips, but because of the costumes and because the dancers move so well, I ended up with 66, a lot to go through.We were treated to s sound track of bubbly and psychedelic music of the ’60s by DJ Julien Palmarini. Hair, including Summer Partlon’s towering Octopussy beehive, was by Dack Quigley. Meanwhile, the part of the Ethereal Jellyfish, in white in the video, was played by the Star-Bulletin’s Michelle Poppler, who I totally didn’t recognize while shooting the video, even though she was an inch away from my face!

Rain arrived with dinner, sending some guests running for cover, which was weird, this being a water-themed event and all, but I had no doubt that in sunny Kahala, it would pass quickly, and it did, just a light blessing.

Food — such as sea critter fritters (baccalao) and pan-roasted kampachi with sea foam, mussels and clams — was rather slow to arrive and Cheryl said later, while toasting marshmallows beachside, that they had trouble getting started because no one seemed to want to sit down. Everyone was too busy strolling around, admiring the dancers and their extravagant costumes, photographing and videotaping all that was happening.

It was great fun an you can read the who’s and why’s about the event in my earlier story at http://archives.starbulletin.com/2008/08/21/features/story01.html

And original blog post at: http://blogs.starbulletin.com/fashiontribe

The living fountain, Robyn Franklin. (more…)

By Nadine Kam

Photos by Nadine Kam
Makana Esthetics Director of Education Malia Sanchez, left, with former classmate, the Star-Bulletin’s Rose Bernardo.

With the growing interest in the spa industry and physical well-being, Malia Sanchez and Christine Hall saw a need for advanced esthetician training for those aspiring to work in high-end resort spas or medi spas, and created the Makana Esthetics Wellness Academy, an accredited Esthetics Certified training program that celebrated its grand opening May 29.

Melissa Samiano was one of the beneficiaries of her sister Melanie’s hand and arm massages.

Those who attended were able to walk through the treatment rooms, enjoy hand massages, sample the lines of Peter Thomas Roth Clinical Skin Care and June Jacobs Spa Collection carried by the school, as well as enjoy food, including shrimp scampi and spicy ahi on tortilla chips, catered by Pearl Kai’s newest restaurant Off the Wall.

The school’s Core Esthetics Course consists of an intensive 15-week curriculum designed to help students pass the Hawaii State Licensing examination. Summer courses open for registration start up July 14 and Aug. 25. Call 591-6090 or visit www.MakanaAcademy.com for more information.

Model Karen Vance showed up with her fringy dog-shaped purse from Anteprima Plastiq.

Where there are students, there’s a need for guinea pigs, and what that means for you is the availability of facials running $35 to $45, with add-ons such as a single microdermabrasion treatment for $25, or single glycolic treatment for $25.

They’re at 1168 Waimanu St., across from the Ko’olani condominium. Park on the street.

******

Among restaurateurs in attendance were Ed Kenney (Town, Downtown), Donato Loperfido (Pasta & Basta, Elua), Philippe Padovani (Elua) and Henry Adaniya (Hank’s Haute Dogs). The room was so packed it was hard to back up far enough to get a photo, and the only reason this one was possible is because these party guys were among the last to leave.

After dropping in on the Makana Esthetics Wellness Academy, it was off to Waikiki for Nobu Waikiki’s one-year anniversary. I couldn’t believe a year has flown by, but so it has.

In a small room in the back of the restaurant, the fashionable — including a bunch of magazine eds., party girls and a contingent from Louis Vuitton — mixed with the foodies. It was near impossible to back up for a photograph, and among the restaurateurs able to take a break from their own kitchens to congratulate Nobu were Henry Adaniya, Kevin Aoki (Doraku Sushi), Ed Kenney, Donato Loperfido, George Mavrothalassitis (Chef Mavro), Philippe Padovani, and Ana and Tushar Dubey of Hokulani Bake Shop.

Wine and lychee martinis flowed, and waiters made the rounds with trays of lamb chops, Nobu’s famous black cod, temaki rolls, seabass and jalapeno-topped hamachi, one of my favorite dishes.

The party didn’t end after it was over, as many just took their celebration to the sushi counter or to the bar.

Congratulations, Nobu!

By Nadine Kam

Nadine Kam photos
Jennifer Tunoa is Kurenai Yuuhi from “Naruto.”

Back from Kawaii Kon at Hawai’i Convention Center where the cosplayers were out in full, colorful force.

Strangely enough, I was in street clothes and they were looking at me like I was the
odd one. It was noticeable when I was getting names of some people and others were around me doing the “oohh,” purr-y thing. I felt like Dorothy in “Wizard of Oz” when she’s discovered by the Munchkins, who come out of the bushes to check her out. SB photographer Cindy Ellen Russell was there and filled me in: “They think you would be a great cosplayer because you’re tiny like the characters.”Hmm, come to think of it I already have a pink Betsey Johnson dress and corset that looks like a Misa Amane outfit.The event goes on to 9 p.m. April 19 and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 20 if you want to check it out or be checked out.

Kanoe, front, is Suiseiseki from “Rozen Maiden,” with Chani, from left standing, Ursula, Cynthia, Amanda and Blair. Amanda, in red, is Shinku, the main character. Kanoe paid $300 to have his costume made by a dressmaker. I asked him if it felt weird to wear a dress. “Kind of,” he said, “but you get used to it.” Below, the original Shinku and Suiseiseki.

Ashley Silao is Misa Amane of “Death Note.” Her lenses look like one called “Red Wolf” from Exotic.lenses.com’s stock.

Theatrical contact lenses are part of the costume for many. The Contact Lens Co., was among the dealers offering every style and color of lens. The most popular is the white with black pupil “Zombie.” Lenses were selling for $40 to $80. Check out www.exoticlenses.com

I was tempted to get a pair, but I already wear normal lenses and they do need upkeep and cleaning, so I probably wouldn’t unless I had a specific event in mind. The woman there said once a month cleaning is recommended, but that sounded like too little.

In the dealer’s room, Audra Furuichi and Scott Yoshinaga — who I met online at Twitter.com — were behind the table showing their nemu*nemu books and T-shirts. At left, Krystine Nakano helped drum up business by strolling the grounds with a handmade, stuffed version of Anpan on her head. She has really great posture because that pup wasn’t secured. Other people had to tie their animals to their heads.
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By Nadine Kam

Nadine Kam video

Diehard shopaholics lined up as early as 6:30 a.m. to be the first in the door when Nordstrom opened Friday morning.

I had the feeling people put off their purchases in anticipation of the store opening. I overheard one woman say, “I want to buy five pairs of shoes.”

I thought I would just shoot a little video and post as soon as I got back to the office, but there was so much going on, I felt compelled to videotape many aspects, and well, it got out of hand. Plus, this ain’t TV news, so don’t mind the editing, as with a crowd shot that may have gone on too long. I really wanted to show the stream of people coming through the doors.

That was such a crazy day. I got there at a sane 8:30 a.m., enough time to see the frenzy of the Cosmetics Tailgate Party. So funny how little I see of reality when shooting video. Fellow SB’er Nina Wu passed in front of the camera several times and I didn’t see her until starting to edit. I guess it involves different parts of the brain. So to tell you the truth, I used to think photographers were a little dense because I’d ask them to give me certain pictures I knew they’d taken, and they’d be, like, “Huh?” as if they’d never seen it. Now I realize they were composing shots, but not seeing, if that makes sense.

By Nadine Kam

Nadine Kam photos
Arriving fashionably late to Oscar Night America at Halekulani were, from left, James Alberti, Christina Simpkins and Brett Wagner. Simpkins and Wagner are back after five successful screenings of Wagner’s “Chief” at the Sundance Film Festival. While there, Simpkins said she talked up Hawaii in hope of bringing more filmmakers to shoot their projects here. Next project for Wagner is another short film he wrote.

Just because we’re miles from Hollywood doesn’t mean we couldn’t celebrate the spirit of Oscar night with our own Oscar Night America red-carpet event at the Halekulani.

Escada was prominent, with no fewer than nine Escada gowns appearing on the red carpet. There was plenty of spring color too, brightening the usual field of black at these types of events, and echoing the real Academy Awards red carpet. I felt like they all had the same makeup artist because most of the presenters had the same combination of blue eyelids, rosy pink cheeks and lips.

Otherwise, I missed all the E! red-carpet commentaries, but from what I saw on the broadcast, I really loved Marion Cotillard’s shimmery white mermaid gown. Otherwise, the stars tend to dress alike in solid-color column gowns. It’s great that “Juno” screen writer Diablo Cody dared to be different in a flowing leopard-print gown.

Attendees facing about a dozen photographers upon arrival said they felt like celebrities.

Color filled the red carpet.

Wearing Escada, from left, were Yukako Sakakibara, Noriko Sasakawa and Yumiko Sakaue.

Man of the hour, Chuck Boller, head of the Hawaii International Film Festival. (more…)

By Nadine Kam

Listen to audio from the show on the green player below:

Just back from the My Chemical Romance concert. Fun. Not one of my favorite bands but a couple of friends wanted to go so off we went. Turned out to be a great, high energy show before they go on Christmas break and head out to Vietnam in 2008.

Started on the floor for the openers Saves the Day, pretty much a yawn. When they announced they had two more songs to go, some guy next to me yelled, “Hurry up!”

My Chemical Romance came on quickly after that because their drum kit was set up and ready to go. I drum so I have to say drums are the worst when it comes to setting up. I really went to watch the drummer so moved up to the loge as close to the stage as security would allow. Always like to see if I can keep up. Just watching him play “The Black Parade” was worth going to the concert. He was awesome (the drummer from Thursday), but wasn’t the band’s drummer Bob, who, according to their Web site, developed a golf-ball size lump in his wrist and made it worse by continuing to play. He wised up after being unable to hold onto his sticks during a Bon Jovi concert and is now getting treatment.

Naturally, for a band with a hit song titled “The Black Parade,” there was black all around. Considered going against the crowd and wearing white or red, but decided to go with the flow and wore a black Theory jacket (needed pockets to get the illicit camera in) over silver sequin striped gray tank top from Wet Seat, and multi-tiered lace and knit skirt from Miss Sixty. Accessorized with black and silver Chanel bracelet, Me & Ro silver bracelet, and two vintage black glass necklaces.

Mikey’s two looks.

I really loved what bass player Michael, or Mikey, Way was wearing on stage, a fitted double-breasted tunic with a military braided trouser. Wish I had a photo but no photos was the band’s request. The funny thing was when he was sitting in front of me I didn’t notice what he was wearing. Was just studying his face and hair. Guitarist Ray Toro also has great stage hair that moves, like Corbin Bleu.Here’s what some fans wore:

Saw about a dozen of these jackets from Hot Topic. (more…)

By Nadine Kam

Backing up a bit, here are a couple of videos from tokidoki designer Simone Legno’s appearances here in Honolulu Friday night and Saturday morning. On Friday he talked about the holiday inspiration for his Vacanze collection for LeSportsac, full of illustrations depicting a colorful Winter Wonderland, sort of like he emptied his head of every happy thought he ever had about Christmas, winter and snow. Pure joy to see!

If you want to know how tokidoki got started, check out my interview from earlier this year, at http://starbulletin.com/2007/01/11/features/story02.html

Nadine Kam videoI said before he is a super nice guy and was very accommodating as I video’d his body to show all the tokidoki gear he was wearing. He gets to wear all the prototypes, so it’s like getting ahead a year. He also wore tokidoki jeans available in Europe, but not here, with belt loops bearing his illustrations, among other details. I didn’t put this in the video though.In the second video, he signs for fans who waited in line all day Saturday, Nov. 17, for one-on-one time with the Italian design star, who never rushes the process, giving each person and item they brought in to personalize, his full attention. He loves Hawaii and is hoping there will be a free-standing tokidoki store here one day so he can visit more often. A lot of people are probably hoping for the same.

By Nadine Kam

Nadine Kam photo
From left are Sig Zane, Sig Zane Designs style director Atsuko Kimoto and production manager Margaret Stanley, and Dr. Taupouri Tangaro.

Sig Zane celebrated his 22nd anniversary with the presentation of his 2008 Wailani Collection at the Outrigger Reef Hotel Friday night.

The celebration had models strolling among guests in an open-air setting overlooking the ocean, in an encore of a show presented earlier on the Big Island, combining Zane’s designs with Tiffany jewelry and hula-inspired hairscapes created by Taupouri Tangaro.

The hair was so elaborate, I asked Tangaro how long he had been working with hair, assuming lengthy training.

“Just since Sig asked me,” said the Hawaiian cultural expert, an assistant professor at Hawaii Community College’s Hawaii Life Styles Program. (more…)