By Nadine Kam

Nadine Kam photos
Victoria’s Secret Angel Marisa Miller will sign autographs for fans from 4 to 6 p.m. today.

I was at the opening at the Victoria’s Secret store this morning at 8 a.m. for its blessing because it’s my job to be there. What I don’t understand is why, by the time the store actually opened at 9:30 a.m., there were more than 600 people in line waiting to get in. Do they think they’re going to run out of bras? Is it a point of pride to be the very first customer? It’s not like a pop-up shop that’s going to go away overnight. Victoria’s Secret is really here to stay after we’ve patiently and agonizingly waited our turn while they opened more than 1,000 other stores around the world.

The line started at 6:30 a.m. and that’s got to make the company happy. Victoria’s Secret Angel Marisa Miller was there for photographs and interviews, and the City Managing Director Kirk Caldwell was there to welcome the store, and, filling in for our traveling mayor, to place a lei around Miller’s neck with requisite kiss. The opening, he said, is “very good news for Hawaii,” as a bright spot in our economy with such a major retailer demonstrating their confidence and commitment to the state.

If you read the story in the print edition today, you can learn about the opportunity to become the next VS Angel by entering online at VSAllAccess.com and CBS.com.

Star-Bulletin business reporter Nina Wu, in black, interviews the first people in line to get into Victoria’s Secret. The line went around the corner, between Sears and Longs, to the parking lot, and alongside Sears past Jamba Juice. As person after person entered the store, I wondered how many it could contain. (It swallowed up the former Island Snow, TheGap and Disney spaces.) They stopped the line at 500, then started admitting a few people at a time as shoppers exited.

The job is more demanding than you’d imagine, and the Angels have to have more going for them than a super body and pretty face as they also serve as ambassadors and spokesmodels for the brand. You can begin to imagine what that takes when you realize such media dynamos as Tyra Banks and Heidi Klum have served as Angels.

Kelly Boy De Lima, of Kapena, was the second person to make a purchase. Guys are quick, no-nonsense shoppers and he picked up a gift card for his daughter’s 18th birthday.

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By Nadine Kam

Nadine Kam photos
At the Gottex show, a model steps out in an assymetric ruched swimsuit in Desert beige degradé print with Desert grosgrain gold accent belt.

At some point, I’ll finish all my NY Fashion Week stories, though by now the London and Milan shows have ended. Sorry, I guess that’s the difference between keeping up with two or three events spread out over a week, and four to five a day.

Of course there’s a sizable market for swimwear in Hawaii, so shows by Rosa Chá and Gottex were a must. At Rosa Chá, new creative director Alexandre Herchcovitch showed a sunny array of yellows and vibrant oranges, exuding the heat of the Brazilian brand.

Meanwhile, at the Gottex swimwear show — full of rich creams, golds and ocean blues in retro-glam styles geared more toward poolside soirées than rough-and-tumble waves — I slipped from second row to an empty seat in the first row where, for once, my view was unobstructed.

There is a sweet spot when it comes to timing your seat move, after all the seated guests are in, but just before the standing-room-only crowd enters. The show planners always overbook because just as with televised sports, the designers don’t want to play to a batch of empty seats. Move too soon, and the person whose seat you’re grabbing may show up and roust you. Move to slow and available seats will be filled by quick-moving SROs. Worst case scenario, the seat holder shows up, an SRO has already filled your seat and is not likely to give it back.

Ochre brush print swimsuit with gold disk and precious stone embellishment worn with silk chiffon top with embroidered grosgrain gold accent belt. At right is the cobalt blue sea print lycra swimsuit with cobalt blue grosgrain gold accent belt.

The seat holder doesn’t show. Score! Problem is, I’m not front-row material. I’m too busy and fidgety, turning this way and that for photos, when the videographers in back of the house expect the front row to be motionless, save for turns of the head. Any other movement distracts from the show.

Nadine Kam video

It didn’t help when I reached for my video camera and my bag spilled over toward the runway. Luckily, the contents didn’t fall out, but then I couldn’t reach the handles, and rather than have my head bobbing toward the floor and right arm reaching out for the cameras to capture the struggle, I let it lay there for the show’s duration. In the photos you can see how close it is from the chairs to the runway.

I also take it personally when someone in the show’s control booth shouts, “Uncross your legs!” The leg stabbing out toward the runway also interferes with the video and camera shots. But then, there’s a lot of stirring in the audience and it turns out I’m not the only one uncrossing.

At left is Gottex’s Ochre degradé lycra swimsuit with Fade-out desert print silk kimono and Ochre embroidered gold accent belt. On the right is a Coral red abstract print side-ruched swimsuit worn with a Coral red abstract print silk caftan and red grosgrain gold accent belt.

The show opened with strong showing of sand and cream colors — for the most confident or fittest women — maillots and bikinis, including one-shoulder designs, then moved into sparkling sequined blacks which isn’t very practical, unless one plans to wear them as part of an evening ensemble.

There was also a segment featuring a beautiful cobalt blue sea print, and another showing a touch of red via faux coral necklace embellishment, print and faux coral charms.

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By Nadine Kam

Nadine Kam photos
Suit Yourself Bikinis adorable designer Kathleen Bruening, right, with her model, Mrs. Hawaii Kristina Lum, who wears a Gabriella monokini, about $175.

Last weekend I received a call from hyper-energetic fellow fashion enthusiast Julie Aragaki. She was thrilled by having met Maui swimwear designer Kathleen Bruening of Suit Yourself Bikinis and was excited to be bringing her to the Zensation event at Bonsai on July 1 for a trunk show with informal modeling.

I was really impressed by the work of the 21-year-old designer as well. Her work is creative and original, and her workmanship — yup, she sews all the pieces in her custom collection — is exceptional. Any wearer would feel confident that these suits would hold up in water without sagging or gapping anywhere it matters.

Among the details in this Suit Yourself Bikini top is a braided tie of fabric wrapped around elastic to allow stretch and body movement, while ensuring the pieces don’t ride around the body.

Those in need of a custom suit can select from a wide array of fabric, styles and fit, at a cost of about $90 for bikini tops, $110 for bottoms, and $160 to $270 and up for monokini and one-piece creations.

Some of her suits make use of a lot of strips of fabrics and braided ties that give them a bondage look. Others have obi midriffs or a cascade of ruffles. You can check out Bruening’s Web site at http://www.suityourselfbikinis.com/ which works if you have Adobe Flash Player 10.

Also, head to the Valerie Joseph boutique at Ala Moana Center, where Suits Yourself will be presenting some informal modeling in the windows as part of the boutique’s steak-fueled 4th of July celebration, “Bikinis & BBQ.” The event runs from 4 to 6 p.m. on the 4th.

Kehau Raines models one of Kathleen Bruening’s Suit Yourself Bikinis at Zensation.

A model wears Kathleen Bruening’s Alyssa bikini above, and Lexi bikini below.

Suit Yourself photo
Suit Yourself Contessa one-piece, about $155.

By Nadine Kam

Nadine Kam photos
Celebrating the opening of Aéropostale were, from left, store manager Claire Rathburn, district manager Joyce Stabbert, vice-president of visual merchandising Michael Cavallero, Chief Store Officer Mary Jo Pile, and regional vice president Judy Boyea. Michael and Mary Jo are in from New York for the back-to-back store openings at Ala Moana and Windward Mall.

Aéropostale opened at Ala Moana Center this morning, on the third level (ewa side), near American Eagle, Forever 21 and Spiral Girl. That area has become home to young shoppers, with clothing at Aéropostale aimed at the 13 to 19 set, or those who just want comfy kick-around clothes for summer.

Hawaii’s summer uniform: Bikinis, rubber slippers and shorts, all abundant at Aéropostale.

Sample prices: Graphic tees are two for $25; guys $34.50 polo shirts come with a buy-one-get-one-free offer; tote bags start at $9.99; and dresses are $24.99. The most expensive item I found, at $44.50, were a pair of the cropped jeans with ready-made pukas, which Morgen Chang tried on with other pieces, below. So cute for summer!

Morgen Chang steps out of the dressing room in Aéropostale.

Morgen attended the opening with her aunt Melissa Chang aka @Melissa808. Little did she know when she agreed to go that we would recruit her as a model for some of the clothes, in exchange for breakfast.

If you live on the Windward side, don’t worry about not being able to make the tunnel crossing right away. Aéropostale will open at Windward Mall on the 29th.

At the registers, a sign advertises a free Aéropostale drawstring beach bag offered with purchase during the grand opening.

Shoppers from Japan appear to find an armload of pieces affordable.

Afterward I checked out the BCBG sale, with some 50 percent off items offered at an additional 30 percent off over the Memorial Day weekend, a big one for sales. Better check in with your favorite boutiques.

I didn’t buy anything at the sale. I wanted to pick up one piece that would look best if I sliced it in half to wear as a separate top and skirt, but those “projects” often have a way of never being completed. At those moments I try to tell myself, don’t settle for anything less than perfect, something easier said than done.

By Nadine Kam

Nadine Kam video stills
Models wear swimsuits by Brandi Owens.

Here are two more videos of more senior designs from last weekend’s Honolulu Community College fashion show, featuring more of the swimwear and casual designs:

Joori Kang created fun dresses that made tropical florals more palatable to a younger audience.

By Nadine Kam

Forever 21 photos
Courtney Arndt models F21 bikinis.

I don’t usually wander into Forever 21 because of a bad experience a couple of years ago.

A friend who is long past F21 age but keeps insisting on dressing like a teen, dragged me in there and I was so excited by the low prices that I bought a ton of clothes for about $100. The excitement wore off when I got home and took a closer look at the cheap details and flimsy fabric of the sort that doesn’t survive many washings. I wore a couple of pieces once and felt so yucky in them I sent them off to Savers. Only the very young and/or very thin can make flimsy fabrics work. The rest of us need a little more body and structure.

Lesson learned. Today, I rather have one carefully chosen dress or jacket than 100 pieces of throwaway clothing.

But a little birdie (thanks Allie!) told me to check out the F21 Web site, where former local model Courtney Arndt can be spotted modeling swimwear, in time for spring pool and beach time once we clear the recent spate of windy, cool weather conditions.

No longer in the market for a bikini, having just bought one for destressing in the Moana spa’s Jacuzzi (heaven!), I was more interested in the little pink heart in the left corner of the main page, pointing me toward the Shibuya Mon Amour collection. The cute, slouchy collection is described as being “inspired by the cool kids of Tokyo and Paris” with a girly + street style, cleaned up and priced to go at about $14 to $18 per piece.

I just might have to check out the store again. A T-shirt you can live in and style in many ways would be worth that price, which is just right for the times.

Fawn tee and Bunny tank.

Cloche Cat tee and Leopard Face tank.

By Nadine Kam

Bar Refaeli on the cover of Sports Illustrated much-read, or at least must-looked-at, Swimsuit Edition.

Maui’s Tori Praver may not have made the cover of Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit Edition, having lost that distinction to Leo Dicaprio’s girlfriend Bar Refaeli, but Maui is a big winner in the island fashion sweepstakes.

Sixteen-year old Maui native Talia Gangini, for one, was thrilled to discover one of her cone shell necklaces on the cover of the magazine, which means it will be seen by 66 million pairs of eyeballs.

Another of Talia Gangini’s neckalaces.

“I sent my swimwear and jewelry in so long ago, I’d almost forgotten about it,” she said in a press release. “Hundreds of designers are asked to send in pieces, I didn’t think I had much of a chance.” Check out her Pashey Desginz on her Web site at www.taliagangini.com.

On Maui, her work can be found at the Jewelry Studio of the Hui No’eau Visual Arts Centerin Makawao, and Hana Hwy Surf and Simmer Hawaii in Paia. Talia and her younger sister Tehani also create a line of swimsuits under the name Manini Gangini Bikini.

Bar Refaeli in Letarte.

Bar’s bikini is by Missoni, and while none of the sisters’ bikinis made it into the issue, three other Maui designers — Maui Girl, Letarte Swimwear, and Beauty and the Beach Hawaii — did.

Maui Girl, designed by Debbie Wilson, had two suits in the magazine, and another 25 featured on the SI Website. Maui Girl was also featured in 2008 and 2006.

Letarte Swimwear, helmed by local designer Lisa Letarte Cabrinha, has four swimsuits in the issue and hundreds more online. This is the 9th year that Letarte Swimwear has had, with the most famous feature being the teeny red bikini on the cover in 2005.

Beauty and the Beach Hawaii is the new addition to the Maui legacy. Co-owners and designers Katie Wilson and Tami Snodgrass had two suits in the issue.

Congratulations to all! The wait must’ve been long, but worth the suspense.