Fashion under a tent at Anne Namba
By Nadine Kam
Nadine Kam photos
Relaxing under the tent after the show.
The very busy Anne Namba hosted a “Dream Wedding” event with Hawaii Bride & Groom magazine, this time at her Kamani Street salon on Sunday. I arrived to find the small parking lot transformed with the addition of a tent draped in the interior with gold dupioni silk.
It was a fabulous place to hang out after most of the guests had left. I told her I wanted to live there, and could actually see people transforming bedrooms to get the same draped, cocoon effect that was the work of Alex Garcia of Mood. It was a thing of beauty that took nine hours to set up and was taken down later that day to get the storefront back to normal by Monday.
All of a sudden I understood the appeal of tent living to Mughal emperors. I had written a story for HI Luxury a while ago, which mentioned these moveable palaces. How wonderful to have been able to pack up and go anywhere.
Garcia and his wife Yvonne Chapman of Yvonne Floral Design were among the vendors Namba considers among the best on the island, who were invited to participate in the bridal event. Also represented were Cakeworks, Kiss & Makeup, jewelry from The Meng Dynasty, A Perfect Day wedding coordination, Blue Nalu Photography, invitations from Stacey Emi Shiroma of Emi Ink, and Ninja Entertainment Productions.
It would be cool to have another fashion show under a tent like the one Nordstrom staged last year. But that must have been one very expensive show and who has the budget these days? Apparently, brides to be, who the vendors say will cut back on their guest list before cutting back on perfection in every other aspect of their wedding.
Variations of Ann: From left, Julie Ann Aragaki, Anne Namba and Anna Meng teamed up to present a “Dream Weddings” event in conjunction with Hawaii Bride & Groom magazine. Meng dressed Namba’s model brides in diamonds, and put the designer in a $45,000 necklace of 18K white gold with 12.98 carats of white diamonds and 9.53 carats of cognac diamonds, plus $29,000 diamond earrings.
You’ll see many examples of Namba’s bridal gowns across this blog with a search for Namba’s name, but here’s a rare detail shot.
Designing duo, Yvonne Chapman and Alex Garcia, who specialize in mood setting. Below are two examples of Chapman’s floral work on view at the event.
This floral arrangement incorporates variegated kale.
Feathers give this bouquet a playful feel.
Fondant wedding cake from Cake Works.
Julie Ann relaxes after the event with her husband Keith.
