Beauty Spot: Sephora to launch Marc Jacobs Beauty collection

Marc Jacobs Style Eye-Con No. 3 "The Punk" palette with a trio of eyeshadows including rich pigmented purples, the color of Fall 2013. — Sephora photos

The new Marc Jacobs Beauty Collection will launch exclusively at Sephora on Aug. 9, showcasing the designer's makeup vision and creativity through a wide range of colors and innovative formulas and textures.

As with the designs in his own eponymous designer collections, and as creative director for Louis Vuitton, his work embodies the spirit of youth, confidence and experimentation, inspiring others to push boundaries and create their own style, here by indulging in provocative shades and new textures to suit his definition of beauty as "imperfectly perfect."

In a press release quotation, he said, “I see beauty in many things and I am attracted to all sorts of imperfection. ... It's unexpected and surprises you."

In coming up with the color collection, he considered the makeup ritual, and said, “I think the idea of transforming into this person you want to be, is a lot of fun.”

The assortment of 16 complexion and color cosmetics, and makeup brushes, includes:

>> Genius gel super-charged foundation ($48): Hydrates skin with coconut water extracts, available in 16 shades.

Marc Jacobs Remedy Concealer Pen is intended to combat signs of overindulgence and late-night revelry.

>> Remedy Concealer Pen ($39): An all-in-one corrector and brightener to fix flaws and erase the aftermath of an all-nighter. Available in seven shades, plus one Universal Brightener and one Universal Corrector.

>> Perfection Powder Featherweight Foundation ($46): Ultra-light powder foundation diffuses flaws and removes shine for all-day wear or mid-day touchups. Available in 10 shades.

Marc Jacobs Style Eye-Con No. 7 "The Vamp" palette with seven hues befitting its moniker.

>> Style Eye-Con Nos. 3 and 7 Plush Shadow ($42 and $59): Richly pigmented shadow palettes with shimmering metallics, buttery mattes and lustrous sheens with a creamy finish.

>> Magic Marc'er Precision Pen Eyeliner ($30): Waterproof liquid liner in a shade so intensely black, it's been dubbed Blacquer. Calligraphy-shaped pen enhances ease of use for a precise line every time.

>> Lash Lifter Gel Volume Mascara ($26): This formula works like Spandex to lift lashes without a lash-plucking curler. Intended for extreme wear to be flake- and run-proof, yet wash off in warm water.

Marc Jacobs Lust for Lacquer Lip Vinyl in "Lust for Life" red with gold shimmer.

>> Lust for Lacquer Lip Vinyl ($28): Plumping lipgloss with shine and a champagne-grape infused formula that moisturizes, available in 12 music-inspired sheer and full shades.

>> Lovemarc Lip Gel ($30): Highly pigmented, gellified lipstick plumps with 3-D optical volumizers. Available in 16 shades inspired by the designer's favorite films.

Banana Republic Issa London collection launched

Fans of the Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton's style can now slip into the collaborative collection of Banana Republic and one of her favorite designers, Issa London.

The pre-fall collection officially launched today, Aug. 8, and is exclusively available at Banana Republic stores worldwide and bananarepublic.com.

Known for its signature prints and figure flattering silhouettes, Issa London quickly became a favorite of Kate's long before she donned the brand's royal blue silk-wrap dress for her engagement announcement in November 2010.

The Banana Republic Issa London capsule collection features nearly 40 pieces of apparel and accessories, inspired by Banana Republic’s safari roots and Issa London’s feminine style, that will easily transition from summer to fall.

Courtesy photo
Actress Naomi Watts wears one of the Banana Republic Issa London dresses while out for a stroll in NYC.

Key pieces include exotic prints of zebra and leopard are infused with neutral and jewel-tone hues, zebra print kimono-sleeved dresses, and pebbled leather envelope clutches. Jewelry includes statement gold chain necklaces and bracelets as well as leather-wrapped bangles.

Whereas Issa dresses typically range from $625 to $1,000-plus, apparel pieces in the collaboration collection sell for $69.50 to $150. Accessory pieces are priced from $39.50 to $150.

It's official: October is Hawai'i Fashion Month

Travis K. Okimoto photo
Gov. Neil Abercrombie with some of the stylists, designers and faces of Hawaii's fashion future. 

Gov. Neil Abercrombie proclaimed October as Hawai'i Fashion Month during a preview event that took place Aug. 6 at The MODERN Honolulu.

As soon as I got there, people were asking, "Who are you wearing?" It turned out to be the question of the day, and the answer had better have been a local designer in keeping with the spirit of the day and October's big event, designed to put the spotlight on Hawaii as a destination for fashion travel, shopping, manufacturing and trade.

Signature events in October will include "OUTFIT: Hawaii Fashion Designers Market Oct. 2 and 3 at Ward Centers, a HiSAM Bridal and Formalwear Fashion Show and Exhibition Oct. 4, Fall Fashion Event Oct. 4 to 6 at Ala Moana Center, Hawaii Designer Fashion Show at Royal Hawaiian Center Oct. 24, and Governor's Fashion Awards Oct. 30 at the MODERN Honolulu. Visit www.hawaiifashionmonth.com for calendar and details.

The Guv was wearing an aloha shirt with a carp design by Hawaii Island's Sig Zane. At risk of offending other brand representatives in hand for the event, he explained that he "round robined" his wardrobe and that it was simply Sig's day, adding that with the growth in the industry, it's possible to wear a different local brand every day of the month.

Meanwhile, Sen. Will Espero, who made the opening remarks and introduced the governor, wore an 'Iolani shirt with a Ralph Lauren jacket, and mused that we need more local designers who could produce such jackets.

I'm wearing mostly local. As Gov. Neil Abercrombie pointed out, Hawaii fashion was once all about the exotic. Today, it's progressed to being everyday contemporary, and coincidentally, my story in the Aug. 8 issue of the Star-Advertiser is about summer whites and how Angels by the Sea designer Nina Thai tries to marry retro Hawaii ideas with contemporary pieces that would be at home anywhere in the world.

I agree. I have a fondness for structure. But, on this hot day, I happened to reach out for something cool and light and that happened to be a white, flowy dress by Angels by the Sea. I didn't plan on dressing local but it's easy to do in the summer because local designers do know a thing or two about warm-weather dressing and accessorizing. It turned out I was also wearing leather and suede floral slippers from Island Slipper, a headband by Florencia Arias, silver maile earrings by Renee Rokero, and rutilated quartz necklace by Kimberly Le. The non-natives were a white strawberry necklace from So Good Jewelry, bracelet from La Muse, Valentino Rockstud sunglasses from Nordstrom, and Valentino Nuage purse from Neiman Marcus. But, since those purchases came from local stores, not online, they still help support the local economy.

Before issuing his proclamation proclaiming October as Hawaii fashion month, Gov. Neil Abercrombie talked about his own relationship with fashion's players and Hawaii's fashion history over the past 50 years, including the vision of Hilo Hattie and energetic promotion of Hawaii by Surf Line Hawaii's founder Dave Rochlen, but said, "I'm looking at the future. I'm not looking backward."

Toward that end, Hawaii has secured a visa exception for visitors from Taiwan, and Abercrombie said he is working on getting a similar exception for travelers from China, exclusive to Hawaii for a trial period, and he believes shopping Hawaii's factories and manufacturing outlets is a natural selling point for visitors from Asia.

Nadine Kam photos
The Gov. (in Sig Zane) with a copy of the Hawai 'i Fashion Month proclamation. He's flanked by, from left, Sen. Will Espero (wearing Ralph Lauren with a Hilo Hattie aloha shirt), Hawaii Fashion Incubator co-founders Melissa White (in 'Iolani) and Toby Portner (in Manuheali'i).

Even if it's a niche market, he said, tours of Maui's lavender farm also started as a niche market that has grown into a big draw for tourists interested in the unique tour and attendant edibles and bath and body products.

With a certain amount of exclusivity and insider cachet built into such tours, travelers are certain to go home and tell all their friends about the unique designer finds they found in Hawaii.

With decades of experience in casual wear, Abercrombie said there's no reason Hawaii can't be a leader in producing swimwear, resort wear and hats, and become a leisure wear mecca for tourists.

Hifi co-founder Melissa White said, "We have the talent, the legacy, support and audience."

At the event, members of the fashion community were surrounded by displays depicting the diversity of the local industry. Featured here were aloha wear designs for the whole family, from Hawaiian Moon, part of the Hilo Hattie family.

Hats from Yellow Bird Bohemia.

Kidswear by Aloha Sand Co.

Dress and accessories by Beverly Horton, and separates by Allison Izu.

We know swimwear, of course.

'Maroquinaris Zoologicae' Honu debuts at Louis Vuitton

Rae Huo photos
Louis Vuitton's Honu made its debut during the grand opening of the "Maroquinaris Zoologicae" exhibition at the LV Gump store in Waikiki on Aug. 1. The Honu has a body made of monogram canvas cosmetic and travel cases. Its shell is crafted from Epi leather wallets and card holders in a palette of cyan, indigo and menthe. The exhibition continues through Aug. 31 in the upper floor salon.

"Maroquinaris Zoologicae"
 On view: Through Aug. 31
Place: Louis Vuitton Gump, 2200 Kalakaua Ave., upper-floor salon
Admission: Free
Call: 971-6880

Louis Vuitton's Honu made its debut last Thursday, during the grand opening of the “Maroquinaris Zoologicae” exhibition on view at the Louis Vuitton Gump store in Waikiki through Aug. 31.

The collection had its genesis in 2010, when the luxury brand invited London-based puppet-maker, technical and special effects artist Billie Achilleos to apply her talent to design a collection using LV small leather goods for its Bond Street Maison in London. Since then, the traveling exhibition of creatures has expanded to more than 30, with new designs introduced each year.

Lately, creatures have been chosen to represent various destinations on the collections world tour, including a Kangaroo in Australia, Panda in China, and the Honu for Hawaii. Before seeing the show, I imagined most of the creatures to be purse size, reflecting the materials from which they are made. But most of them turned out to be life-size, true to the creatures that inspired them.

The Honu sculpture is larger than I expected, at more than 3 feet long.

Due to the size of the venue, only eight creatures are on display, but the entire menagerie comprises insects to fur-covered mammals and slick reptiles, each pieced together with handbags, small leather goods, belts, wallets and other accessories made from Louis Vuitton’s distinct monogrammed leathers, canvas and hardware.

The collection is based on the notion that a handbag or wallet slipped into one’s pocket is like a favorite companion to which one forms an everyday attachment, almost like having a pet.

Studying the Grasshopper.

Nadine Kam photos
The soft sculptures have so much character, they look like one of the gentle sea creatures we swim with and that pull themselves up to our shores to bask in the sun.

When I read the shell would be made of Epi leather, I didn't picture it exactly, but it made perfect sense when I saw it. The leather card holders looked just like the marginal scutes on a honu's carapace.

Several people from Louis Vuitton's New York office were in town to oversee the exhibition. Among them were Alex Winokur, left, and Jennifer Barich, with Dale Ruff, LV's VP of Stores, Hawaii region.

Beauty spot: TheFaceShop opens in Waimalu

Nadine Kam photos
In addition to skincare lines addressing multiple problem spots, TheFaceShop is home to fun color cosmetics such as this Lovely Meex Lovemark tint that stamps on color in one-step application.

TheFaceShop will open its third Hawaii location Aug. 3 at the Waimalu Plaza Shopping Center at 98-1277 Kaahumanu St. (between Safeway and City Mill).

Shoppers on the 3rd and 4th will receive 20 percent off purchases, as well as receive free gift items, beach bags, and skin care sets with purchase while supplies last.

Hawaii’s first TheFaceShop location opened in McCully Shopping Center in December 2011, followed by a second location in Ward Warehouse last October. The newest store will also introduce the brand’s “TheGoldenShop,” which launched last April in Japan, with products geared toward mature skin. This will be the first store to carry the line outside of Japan.

TheGoldenShop's inaugural 47 items address wrinkles, cleansing, sun care, and hand and body care, in addition to face care. Among product lines featured are Pine Mushroom, 24K Gold Ginseng, Escargot, and the Makgeolii White Tone-up line, a brightening collection based on rice wine.

The new shop will also be hosting free beauty classes for the community, with free hands-on soap-making and fragrance-making sessions that will allow customers to work with skin experts to determine the best products for their skin. For now, classes will take place on Saturdays.

At a preopening media event Jessi Jo, an aromatherapist from Korea, helped guests make four kinds of glycerin facial soap in combinations of red clay and lavender oil for anti-aging; calendula and tea tree oil for managing acne; bamboo powder and peppermint oil for exfoliation; and volcanic clay and orange oil for oily skin. They have many more combinations in store.

TheFaceShop owner Thomas Kim at the door of his newest shop at the Waimalu Plaza.

Lindsey Muraoka is a big fan of TheFaceShop and shows her basket full of purchases.

Women line up for customized facial soaps made by aromatherapist Jessi Jo.

A combination of bamboo powder and peppermint essential oil was a combination being featured for making an exfoliating facial soap.

Dried calendula petals were part of the formula for combatting acne.

These soaps were part of the display, but the ones being made were a single color in a flower-shaped mold.

TheFaceShop will soon be offering these facial soaps made in-house of palm oil, organic lemon and organic lavender, and allowed to set in a bamboo container.

The rice wine-based Makgeolii White Tone-up line is among the products featured in TheGoldenShop toward the back of the store, that is the first in the U.S., and exclusive in Hawaii, for now, to the Waimalu store.

Shoppers can easily "try on" various nail enamels.

Weekend shopping: Estee Lauder, La Perla

Estee Lauder photo

Neiman Marcus is hosting an "Up Close: Estee Lauder" event from Aug. 4 to 11, featuring makeovers and consultations, and a look a the new fall beauty collections.

Shoppers who make an Estee Lauder purchase of $75 or more will receive a gift of a city tote filled with a deluxe 14-day supply of Re-Nutriv Ultimate Lift Age-Correcting Creme, a lavish compact of eye, face and lip shades, full-size Pure Color Lipstick, Intense Kajal Eyeliner and Sumptuous Extreme Mascara, at one per customer while supplies last.

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La Perla photo

La Perla has opened its doors in the Macy's wing at Ala Moana Center. The luxury brand is known for its high-end lingerie, swimwear and ready-to-wear apparel favored by Hollywood celebrities.

The company was established in Italy in 1954 by corset-maker Ada Masotti, branching into swimwear in 1971, and opening its first boutiques in Milan and Paris in 1991. The ready-to-wear collection launched in 2002.

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Men’s Wearhouse is continuing its National Suit Drive through Aug. 7.

The store in the Ward Entertainment Center, at Auahi and Kama­kee streets, is accepting men’s and women’s professional attire such as suits, jackets, ties, shoes and accessories for distribution by nearly 150 charities across the country to help disadvantaged workers “suit up” for success.

Donations collected at Hawaii Men’s Wearhouse store will be donated to the Hono­lulu-based nonprofit Helping Hands of Hawaii. In exchange for your donation, Men’s Wearhouse will give you with a coupon for 50 percent off your next purchase.

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Island Sole photo

Island Sole has opened two new stores in Waikiki.

The first store, at 2335 Kalakaua Ave., was formerly a Sanuk store managed by Island Sole’s parent company, The Art Source Inc. The re-branded store features beach and lifestyle brands such as Sanuk and Olu­kai, with more brands coming soon.

Just down the street at Waikiki Beach Walk, Island Sole also unveiled Island Sole Mates, carrying boots, slippers and shoes from UGG Australia.

The Ala Moana Center Island Sole also has a new location: on the mall level near Centerstage. The company’s current store will remain open through October, for those already accustomed to finding the store in the Nordstrom wing, mall level.