Nadine Kam photos
Fashionista's Market owner Alyssa Fung, right, and Anita Clemente, celebrated Closet Swap with some Barefoot Bubbly.
Time sure flies. Fashionista's Market celebrated its fifth anniversary and the first-year anniversary of its downtown boutique on Friday night. But festivities started even sooner with FM's Closet Swap, that took place at the beautiful Luana Hills Country Club Oct. 9. As painful as it is to wake up early on the weekend, it's such a beautiful drive up to the clubhouse, where much craziness ensued.
To get participants' strength and enthusiasm up, breakfast of scrambled eggs, Portuguese sausage, rice, fresh fruit and pastries awaited, accompanied by plenty of Barefoot Wine & Bubbly champagne.
Some girls laid claim to a gold bangle that was a centerpiece at each table, with promise of a prize in store for the wearers' of said bracelet. Having attended this event before, and being a shy, retiring type, I knew better than to put it on! Besides, I was going to be one of the judges the costume contest, theme to be announced.
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Fashionista's Market and Closet Swap founder Alyssa Fung hinted at the contest that would involve stacks of newspaper and glossy magazines, and at that, women at the tables got busy constructing ... I don't know what they thought they were going to create without knowing the theme, but they were already making pleats, cutting strips and fashioning florettes out of newsprint.
There was a cheer when they were told Lady Gaga would be their inspiration, and the winning two tables would be given the first opportunity to enter the swap, with more than 5,000 articles of clothing and accessories up for grabs, and pick up the equivalent to what they'd donated for a few minutes, free from the stampede of women. Let's just say that was plenty of motivation. And the women with the gold bangles—Gaga models! Luckily, the same chutzpah that had them grabbing the bracelet made for one saucy catwalk.
Articles of clothing for the swap that followed came from donations made by participants, and each is able to pick up one piece for every item dropped off at FM in advance of the event. The beauty of having an event like this associated with a boutique is that pretty much everyone there has the same style and is about the same size, so swapping with like minds makes sense.
Also allowed to enter first and shop for 5 uninterrupted minutes were those who had donated the most articles: Robin Wright, who brought in 253 items, and Anna DeQuintanaRoo, who contributed 183 pieces.
Last time I came to this event I picked up a leather-and-lace skirt that I still wear. This time I picked up a couple of retro hippie leather bags, that, being the last to enter, I really don't think anyone else wanted!
In light of Domestic Abuse Awareness Month, pieces remaining after the event ended were donated to the Leeward Domestic Abuse Shelter, which the event has supported for four years.
Great job Alyssa! Sorry I missed the dancing!
Tasia Rivera with her son Peiton, his lips purple from a breakfast snack, coincidentally matching her hair color.
Modeling their newsprint and glossy paper Lady Gaga getups were Joanie Lavosh, left, and Denise Sullivan. Their respective tablemates, who were responsible for creating their looks, won the opportunity to enter the Closet Swap first.
All the tables, including Joanie's, started fashioning paper pieces before the contest theme was announced.
I liked how clean this ensemble was, without a lot of paper flying all over.
Groups were told to make use of everything available to them, and for many tables, that included the Portuguese sausage from breakfast!
Examining the spoils of the swap.
Stacie Ayers of Barefoot Wine & Bubbly, kept the moscato and the rose and brut cuvée champagne flowing.
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