Second life for ACT II goods

Hawaii Opera Theatre photo

Pretty Puccis all in a row, were up for grabs at a fraction of their original price at Hawaii Opera Theatre's annual ACT II fundraiser, continuing through Sunday.

Hawaii Opera Theatre’s annual ACT II fundraising fashion event is on, continuing to 6 p.m. today and April 26, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 27, with new and gently used couture and designer apparel, handbags, shoes, jewelry, art and home notions for sale.

A preview took place last night for those willing to pay $50 for the privilege of shopping first, enjoying wine and pupu in the process. Otherwise, admission is free.

The merchandise for ACT II comes from HOT from supporters, with some avid shoppers passing on items that were never used, still bearing price tags.

I was lucky enough to find a beautiful updated kimono-style jacket by Naoki Takizawa, unused, tags on, for $150. The regular price for the design by the Uniqlo design director and Issey Miyake protege, was $780. Takizawa's was one of the brands once carried by Neiman Marcus, where I picked up one of his dresses, a black wool number I love, with wrap cording. His aesthetic is clean and simple, with edgy details.

I also picked up DVF's neon Mara sequin top, dating to Spring 2012, that I used to style Johnelle Anderson in a fashion piece for HI Luxury magazine at that time. I liked it then, when it was priced new at $385, and apparently, I like it better now for $45!

Happy picking!
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Hawaii Opera Theatre's ACT II fundraiser takes place at the HOT Rehearsal Hall, 780 S. Beretania St. Limited parking is available at Hawaii Opera Plaza (848 S. Beretania St.). Otherwise, there's street parking. Visit hawaiiopera.org for more details.

Leah Friel photo
Johnelle Anderson in Diane Von Furstenberg's neon Mara sequin top that I picked up for $45.

More items that were up for grabs Thursday night:

Hawaii Opera Theatre photos

Designer footwear and handbags.

A rack for Chanels and other designer apparel.

Nadine Kam photos

A blast from the past, a lace jacket with a Carol & Mary label. For those too young to know, Carol & Mary was THE luxury store at Ala Moana Center, a contemporary of Liberty House, long before LH gave way to Macy's.

It's not all about apparel. There's also homewares, art and collectibles.

Samantha Thavasa opens at Ala Moana Center

Nadine Kam photos
A display of some of the handbags available at the new Samantha Thavasa boutique at Ala Moana Center.

Samantha Thavasa, a popular women’s leather goods brand from Japan, offered a press preview a day in advance of its grand opening at Ala Moana Center April 25.

In celebration of the opening, the first 100 customers in the store will receive a complimentary eco bag. The first 20 to spend more than $200 will receive a “Mini Mini Azel,” a collectible accessory in the shape of a handbag.

Shoppers will find a vast selection of handbags, small accessories and luggage, in a range of shapes, styles and colors for every age and personality, from demure, ladylike purses and pastel accessories, to trendy crossbodys, and some in bright neon colors for look-at-me personalities.

Prices start at $72 for a key case, $266 for a handbag, and $271 for a traveler’s small roller logo bag.

Company president Masakazu Terada was in town from Japan for the event.

Here are a few of the designs available:

Kate Spade Saturday to open Saturday

Saturday's all right for shopping, and is fittingly opening day for Kate Spade Saturday at Ala Moana Center with refreshments from 1 to 4 p.m. April 19 to mark the occasion.

Where Kate Spade is pretty and proper, this sister brand is geared toward KS's younger, tomboy sibling, with dresses, separates and accessories geared toward bringing a carefree weekend vibe to every day of the week, with bright colors, graphic silhouettes and bold prints.

Prices are less that of the original brand, with shorts running about $80, simple tops starting at $85, and dresses are about $140.

The brand launched in Japan in spring 2013, and after it won U.S. fans online at Saturday.com, brick-and-mortar stores popped up in New York City, Los Angeles, Houston, and now, arguably the nation's fourth most important fashion city, Honolulu.

The 1,041-square-foot store features apparel, handbags, shoes, tech accessories, fashion accessories, home goods and lifestyle items, with new products to be delivered weekly.
A special feature is a charging station where customers can charge their phones while they shop.

Here's a peek from a press preview earlier today.

Nadine Kam photos
The display at the front of the shop showcases weekend ensembles for play or casual daytime soirée.

There's color in beach towels and wood bead bracelets.

Wall displays have a playful, youthful, college dorm vibe.

Bold black and white. Jennifer Sojot, below, tried on the dress in the background.

Whimsical seed bead necklaces are $45.

JLH marks 90th anniversary with Jazz Era soirée

Nadine Kam photos
From left, Kristina Belcourt, Bridgett Relphorde, who made her own cigarette holder from rolled cardboard that she blinged, and Michelle Richardson.

Feathers, fringe, flappers and lace were in abundance and "Giggle juice" flowed at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel & Resort April 12, when the Junior League of Honolulu went back to its Jazz Era roots—founded in 1923—to mark its 90th anniversary with a luncheon/fashion show featuring garments from Tori Richard's Spring 2014 women's collection.

In addition to the fun, glitz and glamour of the 1920s "Great Gatsby"-themed celebration, there was also some serious work going on as the organization pledged to give $90,000 to Oahu nonprofits over the next three years through its 90th Anniversary Community Fund. $45,000 will be awarded this year. The balance of the fund will be distributed over the next two years. Members also recognized past recipients of its annual Laura N. Dowsett Award, and honored JLH's 2014 recipient Cheryl Hetherington.

The award is named after Laura Nott Dowsett, a founding member of JLH and its president from 1933 to 1934. Hetherington, a civic leader and longtime Junior League member, received the award that was created in 1982, to recognize a sustaining member who personifies the spirit of voluntarism, the value of specialized training, the effectiveness of advocacy and the qualities of leadership developed in the JLH.

CherylHetheringtonHetherington served as JLH president from 2002 to 2003 and has raised money for a number of nonprofits including Friends of the Children’s Justice Center of O‘ahu (25th Anniversary), Honolulu Academy of Art (Kama‘aina Christmas), The Contemporary Museum (ConTempo) and JLH. Before dedicating her skills to community service, Hetherington practiced law as a solo practitioner from 1979 to 1994, taking on many pro bono cases in Family Court. A member of the Hawaii Bar Association, she served for five years with the Hearings Committee of the Office of Disciplinary Counsel for the State of Hawaii.

In recognition of the group's annual "Sacs in the City" fundraiser, more than 10 high-end handbags were auctioned to help support JLH's community programs.

The event was also highlighted by an informal fashion show featuring the Tori Richard Spring 2014 women's collection.

From left, Becky Harrison, JLH president-elect Penelope Paik Thune and Ina Chang.

From left, JJ Dentel, Jeri Duncan in mobster pinstripes, and Tiffany Sterbin.

Jennifer and Justin Dotson.

Jessica Yamauchi, left, and JLH president Deborah Zysman.

A photographic display dating from the 1920s to the present, played tribute to the Junior League founders and early members. Today, we tend to have a costumey view of 1920s fashion, but this is more typical summer dress.

Janice Choate-Zavakos looks her 1920s best in white and lace down to her stockings.

I did white lace as well, snapping a selfie outside my house, with Lynn Murray Sien's "Naked Pearl" rope necklace and Whiting & Davis mesh purse. I have at least three 1920s Mandalian mesh-and-enamel purses that I used to use, but today, they're too small to fit such 21st century necessities as phone and car keys.

Tori Richard: New look, new spot at Ala Moana Center

Dennis Oda photo
Diana Chavez modeled a Tori Richard "Fine Dandy" romper ($115) for my story that ran in the Star-Advertiser's print edition on March 27.

Tori Richard celebrated the grand opening of its new Ala Moana store with an April 2 celebration featuring pupu by MW Restaurant's chef Wade Ueoka, and entertainment by Taimane.

The event was also a benefit for the Honolulu Museum of Art outreach programs, with a portion of opening day sales going toward after-school residencies for public school children, and the "Warriors Eyes on Art" program for transitioning soldiers.

The kamaaina company is already well known for its menswear, but is approaching its sixth decade with a refresh of its boutiques to coincide with an increased focus on its rapidly growing women's line.

Key to the new approach was the arrival of designer Jessica Zaro, who worked with Lilly Pulitzer and Shoshanna before joining Tori Richard in 2011 as creative design director for the Tori Richard woman. Her "beach to bar" philosophy encompasses a strong dose of color and print, along with knowledge of how contemporary women want to dress.

"They want clothing that's versatile, that can be worn during the day, then dressed up with heels, a clutch and perfect jewelry at night,"Zaro said. "I like to keep it simple but fashion-forward."

She said she was excited by the opportunity to work for Tori Richard, whose resort aesthetic appealed to her own vision of the glamorous life.

"Living in New York City, I lived for my summers,"Zaro said. "I loved to wear color and a flowy dress that felt so easy and chic at the same time. Everybody strives to have that lifestyle."

There are 8 million visitors who visit the islands annually who seem to suggest so, and I have a feeling the company will be dancing circles around young national upstarts by the time it's 60th birthday arrives in two years.

Nadine Kam photos
Among those shopping at the grand opening of the new Tori Richard boutique at Ala Moana Center were, from left, Dave Erdman, Conchita Malaqui, Scott Wheldon and Tao Miller.

Joanne Marques, left, helps Jon and Dora Valdriz at the Tori Richard shirt bar, that allows men to pull together complete ensembles.

Student art filled display spaces and windows, as little ones showed their printing skills and had their names affixed as brand labels.

Ukulele virtuoso Taimane Gardner performed.


iPhone video taste of Taimane's sound.

Words of encouragement in the dressing rooms.

Brynn Foster, left, and Kristen Chan arrived fashionably late.

Crystal Pancipanci with Marc Mcclellan.

Dennis Oda photo
This floor-length design from Tori Richard is $149.