Scenes from Shanghai Fashion Week

Photos by Candice Kraughto
Scenes of nature were the backdrop for Judy Hua's show during Shanghai Fashion Week.

Publicist Candice Kraughto now divides her time between Hawaii and Shanghai, where she took in a few shows during Shanghai Fashion Week that ran from Oct. 20 to 26, and she sent along some photos and video from the event, showcasing the work of about 30 designers.

She took in the AmareSinh show featuring designs by Huy Tran on the 21st, and Judy Hua's show on the 22nd, which she reports was difficult to see because of all the smoke pumped into the tent, which added to the drama of voluminous evening wear.

Chinese fashion looked costumey and ethnic as little as five years ago, but even then, as I studied the photos coming out of Hong Kong Fashion Week, I figured that, just as in other aspects of contemporary life, they'd catch up with the west pretty quickly. It's just a matter of time that we'll be just as familiar with their designers as we are with American and European greats.

Huy Tran graduated from New York's Fashion Institute of Technology, and in 2010 launched his label AmareSinh, based in New York City and Shanghai.

The line for tickets.

Here's a link to Amare Sinh's amazing lookbook, with two pages shown above: amaresinh.com

Videos by Candice Kraughto
Click on the photo to see the finale of Judy Hua's fashion show.

Click on the photo to see the finale of Amare Sinh's fashion show.http://youtu.be/ZvJo_BwufNQ

Hermès celebrates 'Hearts and Crafts'

Nadine Kam photos
Curtains rose after the screening of the Hermès documentary "Hearts and Crafts: The People That Make Hermès," Oct. 18 at Hawaii Theatre Center, revealing the stage beautifully lighted and set with white linen tables and white floral arrangements.

In the season of film festivals, Hermès hosted a screening of filmmaker Frédéric Laffont and Isabelle Dupuy-Chavanat's Hermès 47-minute documentary "Hearts and Crafts: The People That Make Hermès," on Oct. 18 at Hawaii Theatre Center.

Going behind-the-scenes at the luxury fashion house, the filmmakers celebrate craftsmanship by focusing, not on the glam and celebrity driven aspects of luxury branding, but on the many artisans from whose passion and nimble handiwork springs individual works of art, emphasizing that because of the handwork, no two pieces are alike.

The filmmakers interviewed saddlers, crystal and glass makers, metalsmiths and the artists behind the house scarf designs.

The cover of the invitation to the screening of the Hermès documentary "Hearts and Crafts: The People That Make Hermès," that took place Oct. 18 at Hawaii Theatre Center.

Maybe because of the work I do, it was the graphic artists' work that I found most intriguing because of their ability to visualize, in black-and-white, the multiple layers of color that go into a single design. A single scarf can comprise up to 42 colors, each mixed by hand to the artists' specifications, just for that piece.

Although the process has been described to me over the years, and having gravitated to the printmaking facilities of the Honolulu Academy of Arts, I understand the process, it is still amazing to see it all come together before one's eyes. It is all the more amazing when one considers that in newsprint, all our colors spring from a basic four: magenta, cyan, yellow and black!

In welcoming Hermès to the theater, Hawaii Theatre Center president Sarah Richard noted that their organizations have much in common in promoting the arts, and that the theater itself was the work of many craftsmen and artists, both historically and in the renovations that have restored much of its original glory.

From studying Hermès windows over time, I think of them of masters of the tableau and I think all in the audience were left breathless when, after the film, the curtains rose to reveal a stage set with tables, chandeliers, bouquets of white flowers and a mini bar for an on-stage reception. It was beautiful, and considering what we had just seen, an artful way to end the evening.

Donna Hodnefield, managing director of Hermès, Ala Moana Center, at lower left, welcomed Catherine Lin, and in the back row James Schaeffer of Harry Winston, Buddy Moore, Sean Lee Combs and Ashli Sower.

Tyler Boe, special events coordinator at Hermès of Paris, left, and Julie Vigneulle, special events manager, were in town for a few days to introduce the "Hearts and Crafts" film."

I liked the Hermès Twilly Tyler was wearing as a bracelet.

Among the guests were, from left, Annette Dung, Kristina Lee, Chun Hui Chen, Jeff Lee, Darah Dung and Denby Dung. Only daughter/sister Dana-Li Dung was missing.

Guests David and Lillian Yeh.

Sarah Richards and Elaine Evans, respectively the president and director of development for Hawaii Theatre Center.

Closet Swap marks 5th year of giving and shopping frenzy

Nadine Kam photos
The Class of ...? Women in "Super Hero or Super Villain" guise, dressed in a mixture of clothing, newspapers and magazines in an attempt to beat fellow competitors to be first to enter Closet Swap Oct. 16.

Women came wearing heels and carrying big bags to the annual Fashionista’s Market Closet Swap at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii on Oct. 16. The event's 5th anniversary was the biggest yet, drawing double the usual number of attendees, at 260, which may be also be a sign of the tough economic times, pushing more to swap their old clothes for something new- or at least new to them.

The 260 women generally donated 9,298 pieces of clothing, shoes, handbags, jewelry and accessories to the event, with women able to pick up as many pieces as they contributed. Sandra Fernandez won a prize for most contributions, at 169 pieces.

The event raised funds for the Leeward Domestic Abuse Shelter, and garments remaining after the event are also donated to the shelter.

Fashionista's Market's Anita Clemente, left, and Alyssa Fung presided over the festivities, with tears at times as they spoke about the specter of domestic violence and all the good carried out by organizations such as the Leeward Domestic Abuse Shelter that was the beneficiary of the day's events.

Some of the oversize T-shirt donations were picked up by local designer Cassandra Rull, who was standing by with her sewing machine to transform them into prettier wearables. Those first to her table were able to pick out the best designs. She transformed a Hope for Japan T-shirt into a cute halter dress for me. It's amazing how fast she worked, and that she was able to accommodate all who were interested.

At the opposite end of the table, jewelry designer Kihwa Kwon Gosline of Studio Bijoux Hawaii was helping women to transform their old jewelry into new pieces. For those who hadn't brought anything, she was designing new jewelry on the spot, with findings and pieces from costume jewelry.

After a fortifying breakfast of fruit, scrambled eggs, Portuguese sausage and rice, the women were ready for action. But first, there was a contest to see just who would be able to enter the swap first for, presumably, the best stuff.

This year's contest was to dress one person at each table as a Superhero or Super Villain. Of course most, if not all, the women opted to be Superheroes, whether a super mom or super fashionista aiming to rid the world of bad fashion. I was one of four judges, and it's always such a tough call because there's so much energy and enthusiasm that goes into creating the costumes with a few pieces of clothing, newspapers and magazine pages. This year, judges opted for the cleaner, tailored look of winners I know only as "Bang Bang" and "Immaculate Designer Girl."

The women at both their tables were allowed 5 minutes early entry to the sale, before maximum craziness ensued.

Friends could pose for photos in the Kreative Photo Booth. At one point, I saw more than 10 women emerge at once.

Kihwa Kwon Gosline created a jewelry piece for Cassie Saylor.

Women lined up to have a piece of clothing refashioned for them by Cassandra Rull, whose creations can be found at Fashionista's Market.

Cassandra examines a shirt before starting on a piece for Kathleen Min, left, and another Closet Swapper.

In creating their Superheroes, many of the women started with the head sash.

Another work in progress.

Almost finished.

Winning look No. 1.

Winning look No. 2.

Eurocinema brings excitement to Waikiki

Nadine Kam photos
Gregg Sulkin joins Princess Dialta Alliata di Montereale on stage as winner of EuroCinema Hawai'i's inaugural Rising Star Award.

Scottish director Lynn Ramsey's thriller “We Need to Talk About Kevin” (UK/USA) nearly swept the 2nd annual EuroCinema Hawai'i Awards ceremony Oct. 15 on the Great Lawn at the Moana Surfrider Resort & Spa.

The film won three of the Tiffany-designed trophies, including Best Director for Ramsey, Best Actress for Tilda Swinton, and the Princess Dialta Alliata di Montereale Award for Best Film.

More than 400 guests gathered on the lawn at the Moana to witness the event, while mingling with filmmakers and celebs, including cast members from “Hawaii Five-O” and ABC’s dramatic thriller, “The River.”

Other award winners were Peter Mullan, named Best Actor for his role in Paddy Considine’s “Tyrannosaur” (Ireland), and in the Hawaii student filmmaker competition, Lana Dang of the Academy for Creative Media at the University of Hawaii at Manoa won $3,000 for the Best Student Film, “Pa‘ahana.”

But the most excitement of the evening greeted young British actor Gregg Sulkin, a charmer best known for his appearances on Disney’s “The Wizards of Waverly Place,” and soon to make his big screen appearance in the feature film “White Frog.” The film is about a high-school student, played by The Twilight Saga's Booboo Stewart, with mild Asperger’s syndrome. The film is directed by Quentin Lee, produced by Chris Lee, and also features Kelly Hu, who attended the event. Sulkin received the first EuroCinema Hawai‘i Rising Star Award.

Banners and a red carpet signaled something big happening at the Moana. Before guests started arriving, tourists snapped their own pictures on the red carpet.

The EuroCinema Hawai‘i Jury selecting the award winners were American Film Institute professor and film producer Dr. Barry Sabath, The Doris Duke at the Honolulu Academy of Arts film curator Gina Caruso, Cinema Paradise Film Festival director Chris Kahunahana and Honolulu Weekly film critic Ryan Senaga.

In addition to the winning films, this year’s lineup in the film festival continuing through Oct. 23 are “The Artist” (France), “The Fairy” (Belgium), “The Salt of Life” (Italy), “The Kid With a Bike” (Belgium), and “Le Havre” (Finland, France, Germany), as well as the World Film Foundation’s restored digital print of the Fellini classic “La Dolce Vita.” Find out more at www.eurocinemahawaii.org.

Founded in 2009, EuroCinema Hawai ‘i is dedicated to increasing the cultural relations between Hawaii and Europe, and to providing financial support Hawaii-based student filmmakers through annual scholarships and financial awards.

Excitement for the event built up early, beginning with limousine arrivals in front of the Moana, were dozens of tourists lined up to see what was going on, joining the papparazzi in taking photos of guests in gowns and black tie.

Inside, Malika Dudley welcomed celebs onto the red carpet with impromptu interviews. From there, most gravitated to the bar to sample creations by master mixologist Joey Gottesman, and the EuroCinema Hawaii's signature cocktail, The Fellini, created by Nobu's Dave Newman, courtesy of Disaronno and Young's Market Hawaii.

Food stations offered a mini culinary excursion through Europe. Richard Lancaster of the The Beachhouse at the Moana, promoted Italy with duck confit and a risotto station; Kai at the Sheraton Waikiki's Darren Demaya paid tribute to France with maple duck breast and braised red cabbage; and SALT Kitchen & Tasting Bar also honored Italy with a cannellini bean ragout with Shinsato pork and panzanella salad. Meanwhile, the Kahala Resort's Wayne Hirabayashi pulled double duty, representing Italy through Hoku's steak bruschetta and pasta Zafferino, and England, through Plumeria Beach House's offering of British bangers and sticky toffee pudding.

Board of directors members Patrick Gey, left, and Wanda Watumull, with Rajan Watumull.

Actor Gregg Sulkin brought his mom Jan. In Sulkin, Hawaii film enthusiasts may discovered the next Robert Pattinson. His star quality was recognized with the inaugural EuroCinema Hawai'i Rising Star Award.

Malika Dudley greeted "Hawaii Five-O" producer on the red carpet, and Steve Boyum.

Several groups of friends gathered to have their photos taken on the red carpet.

Last year, EuroCinema Hawai'i partnered with the Hawai'i International Film Festival to create a festival within a festival, and HIFF executive director Chuck Boller, left, was there to show his support, with Qi Marie and John Michael White.

From left, Alvin Chung, with Rising Star Gregg Sulkin and his mom Jan, Carol Brittingham and EuroCinema Hawai'i Board of Directors member Terry Hubbard.

Hubbard, Chung, Sulkin and "White Frog" producer Chris Lee.

Terry O'Quinn of "Lost" and "Hawaii Five-O," met the competition in Daniel Zacapa, who's in the cast of "The River," set to debut on ABC early next year. Elizabeth Lum enjoyed meeting the stars.

Raiatea inspires LeSportsac "Mele" print

Nadine Kam photos
Raiatea Helm showed her new CD, "Sea of Love," and LeSportsac "Mele" print pouch being sold together in limited edition, yesterday at the Ala Moana Center store. She'll be at an autograph session at the store from 2 to 5 p.m. today, Oct. 15.

LeSportsac has a long history of artist collaborations, but these have tended to be with visual artists whose work translates easily onto LeSportsac's ripstop nylon handbags, totes, cosmetic pouches and travel bags.

Now, they've embraced music artist Raiatea Helm, with a launch of the exclusive Hawaiian print "Mele," inspired by Raiatea's voice and ukulele talent. A precedent was set when they worked with Gwen Stefani and L.A.M.B., but in my mind, L.A.M.B. was already a fashion brand, so it wasn't much of a stretch, whereas the Raiatea collaboration seemed to have come out of the blue.

Cindy Eastman, LeSportsac director of sales, said Raiatea's natural beauty, grace and talent is a great expression of the brand and its customers, and as for coming up with the design, she said that it took a good 12 months to develop the print that focuses on the ukulele—not any particular ukulele—designed in a way to include some of the iconic imagery of Hawaii in a way that would make "people understand it's a special instrument."

Raiatea will be at LeSportsac Ala Moana Center from 2 to 5 p.m. today for an autograph session and drawing for a three-piece Mele-print travel set.

LeSportsac director of sales Cindy Eastman, center, with Edna Hechtman, right, introduces Raiatea, her new CD and LeSportsac "Mele" print collection inspired by Raiatea.

Coincidentally, Raiatea just released her "Sea of Love" CD, and a limited collection of autographed CDs enclosed in Mele zip pouches will be available for sale, with all proceeds from both CD and pouch sales to be donated to the Japan Relief Fund through the Red Cross.

The brand continues to expand its collection, introducing eigh t new prints a month, which is unheard of in the industry, which generally focuses on four to five seasonal collections a year.

The Mele print isn't based on any particular ukulele, but KoAloha's Alan Okami, left, stopped by to show his support for Raiatea and Waikiki Trader president and CEO James Geiger, who brought LeSportsac to Hawaii. Coincidentally, the ohana documentary "My KoAloha Story," is one of the film's in this year's Hawai'i International Film Festival and will be screening at Sunset on the Beach at 7 tonight as well as Oct. 20 at Dole Cannery and Oct. 28 at Hilo's Palace Theatre.

Raiatea's favorite LeSportsac piece is the Edna, whose namesake Edna Hechtman, right, came up with the design, which Raiatea says is the perfect size for her iPad. Which makes me wonder whether Edna is psychic. I remember when she came up with the design, years before the iPad was invented!

That speaks to the collectible nature of the brand, with pieces from limited-edition lines in demand, and Eastman said there are also a lot of women who like to have multiple prints in their favorite styles of bag—whether a hobo or tote—just to have wardrobe options to suit any outfit.

Eastman also shared some of their works in progress, including welcoming Kate Sutton as their next artist in residence, and collaborations with Swarovski and Mary Blair for Disney's It's a Small World due next summer. Can't wait to see what they come up with!

A closeup of the Mele print, includes musical notes in the back that don't represent any particular song due to copyright issues. The ukes bear iconic imagery of Hawaii including a hula dancer, ocean sunset, flowers and rainbow.

There was a lot of media on Oct. 14 for the launch of Raiatea's collection. In front in black is Rae Huo, who chose Raiatea as the main subject of her and artist Zakka's online magazine Pop Iroiro's latest issue, before she knew about the LeSportsac collaboration.

As for future collaborations, look for a design by Mary Blair for Disney's It's a Small
World next summer. This is just an example of her work.

Diamond giveaway marks Diamond Bakery's 90th year

Ninety diamonds will be given away between Nov. 1 and July 31, 2012, by Diamond Bakery which began its 90th anniversary celebration Oct. 12.

I write about food and fashion, which can be a strange mix because fashion's most image conscious don't eat as much as the average person in order to fit the clothes and image they're trying to sell. I admit that my other duties put me 20 pounds over my ideal weight, but even the most avid fashion enthusiasts out there may be willing to munch on a few Saloon Pilots or soda crackers to participate in Diamond Bakery's 90th anniversary giveaway.

The company is launching a 90-diamond giveaway that will run from Nov. 1 to July 31, 2012, to celebrate the anniversary. There is no limit to the number of times anyone may enter to win one of the 90 natural, full-cut round diamonds, and there are three ways to enter:

Option 1: Enter to win online at www.diamondbakery.com/90, which goes live Oct. 20, by registering the “90 Diamond Giveaway” codes inserted in the following Diamond Bakery cracker packages:
>> 13-ounce soda crackers: Original, Low Sodium/No Cholesterol, and 0 Trans
>> 9.5-ounce Saloon Pilot crackers: Original and Low Sodium/No Cholesterol
>> 8-ounce Royal Creem crackers: Original, coconut, and ginger
>> 9.5-ounce Graham crackers: Original, Maui sugar, and cinnamon
>> 5 to 5.5-ounce All Natural Hawaiian crackers: Hawaiian Sodas, Maui Grahams, Hula Creems, and Waimea Wheats.

Option 2: Complete the information inserted in the special cracker packages and mail to Diamond Bakery, 756 Moowaa St., Honolulu, HI 96817.

Option 3: Join the Diamond Club at http://diamondbakery.com/diamondclub, a free rewards program.

Winning codes will be posted online at www.diamondbakery.com and on Diamond Bakery’s Facebook page on the first week of every month. Winners will be given instructions on how to redeem their winning codes for the diamonds at Kamaaina Metals and Jewelry. A photo ID will be required.

For more information, visit the Diamond Bakery website or call 847-3551.

Diamond Bakery factory store, circa 1930s, when the store and factory was at 1753 S. King St., now the site of Zippy's McCully and its parking lot.

Diamond Bakery was founded in 1921 as a dream of three friends—Japanese immigrants Hidegoro Murai, Kikutaro Hiruya and Natsu Muramoto—to create the perfect Hawaiian-made cracker. Who in Hawaii didn't grow up eating soda crackers and Saloon Pilots out of the familiar red boxes with the golden diamond-shaped logo?

In 2009, Diamond Bakery expanded distribution of its niche-selling sea biscuits, or Saloon Pilot crackers, along the continental East Coast. Diamond Bakery products have also spread to Japan and the South Pacific.

In keeping with the trend toward healthy eating, the company launched its newest product line of Hawaiian all-natural crackers last year, available at local and West Coast health food stores, including Whole Food Markets.

Two reasons to celebrate A/X Armani Exchange

Nadine Kam photos
From left, A/X Armani Exchange's New York-based senior director of events & lifestyle marketing Michelle MacKnight, area brand manager Andrea Sarmiento, associate manager Sherri Bergno and store manager Shirley Parel greeted guests following a Hawaiian blessing at the Ala Moana Center store on Oct. 11.

A|X Armani Exchange is celebrating two grand reopenings this week. The first took place Oct. 11, when the Ala Moana Center store marked the occasion with a traditional Hawaiian blessing after remodeling to update floor and fixtures for a sleeker stone and stainless steel look.

Then on Oct. 13, the public is invited to the new A|X Armani Exchange Waikiki store, which will host a grand opening celebration to mark its move to the Waikiki Shopping Plaza at 2250 Kalakaua Ave. The event takes place from 7 to 11 p.m. with DJ, cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, a photo booth and an opportunity to win a $1,000 shopping spree.

In addition, every guest that makes a purchase that evening will receive a limited edition A|X Waikiki T-shirt. Following the event, those who make purchases of more than $100 will receive a limited edition T-shirt while supplies last.

The layout's the same at A/X Armani Exchange at Ala Moana Center, but the fixtures have been updated with sleek stainless steel and glass, and below, a gleaming new floor.

Reiko Rogers, right, and Mimi Nakano try on sweaters.

A couple of A/X Armani Exchange's fall/winter looks in Hawaii weights.

You'll also find a lot of fur accessories, ranging from purses to scarves to lined trapper hats.

Clean and classic for the guys.