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.

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.

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…)

By Nadine Kam

Photos by Nadine Kam
Peter Shaindlin with Bud League of INspiration, in front of one of Shaindlin’s nude figures, covered for our PG readers. Bud mixes Energie with an Armani Collezione jacket and a little tattered, shredded cloth “for a little effect.”

Honolulu Design Co., Stage restaurant, HonBlue, Bouvier Productions, Matthew and Louise Evins, and our other co. HI Luxury, sponsored “Body & Soul,” a photographic exhibition and auction celebrating the human figure June 12.

On view were framed photographs by Nic Gariaeff, and 4-by-8-foot images by Volcano artist Chiu Leong and Peter Shaindlin. Who knew the Halekulani chief operating officer is also a budding artist? “It’s just a hobby,” he said humbly.

Father and daughter Chiu and Asia Leong in front of one of his clay-covered figures.

While there I caught up with the lovely jewelry designer Asia Leong, who was also there as a photographer to support her dad. She’s back home from her other life in Paris and says she’ll be here for a while. What would be weird for most people to know is that I’ve written stories about her twice but never met her due to the magic of the phone interview. I just recognized her from her photos, and with her dad there as one of the featured artists, put two and two together.

The invitation called for über-chic attire, and people were asking, “What does that mean?”

Not much here, where a come-as-you-are attitude prevails. I, for one, wasn’t about to go home and change, and just wore my teal BCBG work dress. But I did have some fun clothes spotting.

From left, Michele Henry, Malie and Walter Moran. Michelle is wearing an ostrich feather-trimmed dress from BCBG.

From left, Charlotte Hutton Cox, INspiration’s Donna Sakamoto in a dress from Adore, and boots, and Austin Cox.

Charlotte Cox’s black dress was simultaneously simple and chic, and when I asked about the label, it was even cooler when she reached down the front. I was like, “Oh, you’re wearing it backward.” Done that before when I either think the back is prettier than the front, or it’s so low cut in front, I prefer to wear the back forward, but the dress by Amsterdam designer Percy Riaus can actually be worn five ways.

She said she looked at it five times before trying it on, hoping that it wouldn’t fit. Of course it did and she couldn’t resist taking home her ultimate black dress. The museum exhibition developer just moved here and is looking for a job, BTW. She has a good eye …

The statuesque artist Dana Forsberg, was, like photographer Elliot Takane, impressed by the large-scale images created with the help of HonBlue. Forsberg is wearing an ensemble by an Argentinean designer.

By Nadine Kam

Hawaiian Island Creations photos

Roxy’s now open at the Kailua Village Shops, in the strip between Starbucks and Teddy’s Bigger Burgers. They sent over some photos of their grand opening May 30.

They should do well. It’s how Kailua dresses. I know because I lived there for about a decade when I never had much excuse to wear more than a skimpy dress, shorts or a skirt hiked up over my boobs. I never left the beachy bedroom community on the weekends. Honolulu seemed too far away, though it is closer than Hawaii Kai. And the drive is shorter.

By Nadine Kam

Nadine Kam photos
I don’t know the cost of the earrings, but this Tiffany diamond necklace is priced at $38,000, and looks much better in reality than in my photo.

After taking in part of the University of Hawaii fashion last Sunday, spent all afternoon and half the evening on a photo shoot for HI Luxury magazine, which is labor intensive, even with a crew of six working to the fullest. Directing a cast of three models to convey a story is as involved as making a short film, though with a lot less equipment and fewer cords to trip over. Lugging clothes around is also a muscle-building, back-breaking exercise, so it was nice this past Sunday to simply spend a leisurely afternoon at the Halekulani with the Tiffany Circle Society of Women Leaders.

The event was presented in support of the Red Cross, while honoring Tiffany Circle founding members Carolyn A. Berry, Joey Harris, Kitty Lagareta, Kimi Matar, Camille McCormack, Jean E. Rolles, Madison Shimada and Barbara Wong.

Honoree Carolyn A. Berry stands between Coralie Chun Matayoshi, CEO for the American Red Cross, Hawaii State Chapter, and Dr. Lawrence Tseu.

Berry showed up dressed for the occasion in Tiffany blue, though she said she didn’t plan it that way. It’s such an iconic color that I can’t fathom not thinking “Tiffany” when I see it. I don’t know how such a coincidence could happen, but there was an even bigger coincidence when most of those seated at honorary chairman Dr. Lawrence Tseu’s table, all showed up in white. His guests included Al and Charlyn Masini, Leilani Keough, Mrs. Hawaii 2007 Nadine Wise, and Mona Wood. Tseu had only asked them to wear hats, but as it turned out, only the host and Max Sword turned out in darker colors.

The Masinis dressed in white at Tseu’s table, as did Leilani Keough, right.

Everyone else must have felt the psychic fashion vibe. Funny. I had felt it too that morning while getting dressed, probably because it’s getting closer to summer. I was drawn to a white top sewn from vintage cotton and lace and put it on. But the only thing I had to match it was a pair of white eyelet pants and wasn’t in the mood for that, so I switched to a purple Gaultier sundress.

Models in Angel Sanchez dresses and Tiffany jewelry made their way from table to table to tempt attendees with diamonds, allowing them to try pieces on if they so desired.

I was wondering why I’d never seen the style of Celeste Hong, left, and Melissa Lum Quilica on the streets of Honolulu before Sunday. I was so excited, but unfortunately, they have to go home to L.A.!

I had to take a photo of Melissa Lum Quilica and Celeste Hong as soon as I saw them. Celeste was wearing a vintage dress of silk sari fabric and vintage gold metallic belt, while Melissa wore a dress by Renee Bardot that she bought because it reminded her of Narciso Rodriquez’s clever, minimalist designs. An interior designer, Melissa had dyed her satin wedding shoes in a tea-like color, so they matched the “bib” of the dress.

Yay! I’m always so happy when I meet people who share an enthusiasm for fashion. Melissa said I should see Celeste’s closet and if I could have invited myself over, I would have. Unfortunately, they live in L.A.! (more…)

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 photos

There was a sea of T-shirts at the Incubus concert. While there, I took a photo of Patrick Simmons and the amulet he was wearing, which he picked up in Tahiti. It inclues the figure of a surfer carved into seal bone, set with a black pearl. For Simmons, it serves as a protective talisman whether he’s in or out of the water.

You can find similar amulets at Summer Vaimaona’s Soleil boutique at 909 Kapahulu Ave.

Then, at Green Door last night, I spotted Thaddeus Pham dining with his friends. He had just come from work as an H.I.V. counselor at Diamond Head Clinic. I liked his geek chic style with short-sleeved shirt and bow tie that he just started wearing this year “to play to my strengths as a nerd,” he said.

I didn’t get it into the photo, but inked onto his forearms are verses from Walt Whitman’s “Song of Myself” and “Song of the Open Road.” “I read a lot,” he said.

If you’re going to have any words on your body, those are pretty cool choices.

“Song of the Open Road” begins:

“Afoot and light-hearted I take to the open road,
Healthy, free, the world before me,
The long brown path before me leading wherever I choose.

Henceforth I ask not good-fortune, I myself am good-fortune,
Henceforth I whimper no more, postpone no more, need nothing,
Done with indoor complaints, libraries, querulous criticisms,
Strong and content I travel the open road. …”

“Song of Myself” begins:

“I celebrate myself, and sing myself,
And what I assume you shall assume,
For every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you.

I loafe and invite my soul,
I lean and loafe at my ease observing a spear of summer grass.

My tongue, every atom of my blood, form’d from this soil, this air,
Born here of parents born here from parents the same, and their
parents the same,
I, now thirty-seven years old in perfect health begin,
Hoping to cease not till death. …”

By Nadine Kam

Nadine Kam photos
A detail of an Eli Baxter installation.

From time to time the way other people dress can inspire me to bust out my camera. So it was when I spent Friday afternoon at The Contemporary Museum during a walk-through of the TCM Biennial of Hawaii artists featuring site-specific installations of Eli Baxter, Vincent Goudreau, Javier Martinez, Yida Wang, Cade Roster, Wayne Zebzda and Meidor Hu.

I enjoyed walking around Wang’s exploration of breast cancer with an installation of hanging Latex breasts, Cade Roster’s series of manga-inspired Plush Gaiden, and Eli Baxter’s sculptures of recycled, polished bicycle tires, inner tubes and molded wax, somehow reminiscent of Alexander McQueen fashion designs.

While there, I ran into TCM’s PR officer Pualana Lemelle and took a photo of her in the museum shop next to the Art-O-Mat, which dispenses miniature pieces of art, whether jewelry, collage or a small sculpture for, last time I checked, $5.

Pualana Lemelle wears an Express wrap dress and gold Western boots from Catherine’s Closet in Manoa.

That reminded me I had a couple of photos of Neiman Marcus’ Contemporary Sportswear/Theory Specialist Alen Ajed. I’m in that department a lot, most of the time just looking, and he’s typically wearing designer, top to bottom, though in his own colorful style. I like that he’s not afraid to wear color and have fun with clothes.

Alen Ajed at the recent Hip Event wearing an Etro shirt with a watercolor-wash print, D&G jacket, Cicinnelli pink pant, Prada belt and Paul Smith tie. His favorite part of the ensemble are his Paul Smith floral design shoes.

On another occasion, I took Alen’s photo (below) with Donna Walden, who also caught my eye because she was wearing this season’s flora-, insect- and fantasy-inspired Prada shoe. Shoes that beautiful have to be uncomfortable, I thought, but Donna said they’re really comfortable.

Alen wears an Etro jacket over a heart-print Prada shirt with a Gianni Versace tie. I cut off the toe of Donna’s shoe, so below are details from Prada’s ad campaign.

When I highlight some of these pieces, I get emails or on Twitter, tweets along the lines of, “What is that supposed to mean?”

Well, to most people, nothing. I don’t want people to walk around looking like fashion clones or slaves. These are just the things I find particularly beautiful and enjoy seeing because they bring an element of beauty into daily existence. It serves the same function as a flower arrangement in an office or lobby, or, if so inclined, a Precious Moments figurine on your desktop. I don’t intend to encourage people to go out and consume, but I am inviting people to train their eyes to see more and to see the ordinary elevated through art.