In celebration of LeSportsac’s 40th anniversary, the iconic bag retailer has announced a new capsule collaboration with pop-culture brand, tokidoki.
The 19-piece tokidoki for LeSportsac collection will launch internationally in August.
As one of the brand’s top markets, Hawaii will welcome tokidoki designer Simone Legno, who—just as in past events here—will be meeting and signing autographs for fans from 2 to 6 p.m. Aug. 16 at the Ala Moana Center store.
On his last two visits, there were lines out the door to meet with the gracious artist, who took time to draw some of his favorite characters for delighted fans.
tokidoki is returning to LeSportsac with a collaboration celebrating LeSportsac’s 40th anniversary. tokidoki designer Simone Legno will also be back and town for a meet-and-greet signing event with fans from 2 to 6 p.m. Aug. 16.
The launch marks the debut of new styles and fabrications for LeSportsac, and the introduction of a new tokidoki character, Palette. Dressed in a floral-spotted white coat, Palette’s spots change color with her mood.
Palette can be found in both the tokidopoli and tulipets prints, and accompanies every bag by transforming into a charm. On printed bags. the charm will come in black, and on black bags the charm will come in the tokidopoli print. All bags are lined in solid turquoise or boysenberry.
New bear-eared character Palette is featured as a purse charm.
Here are a couple of videos from his 2007 signing and interview, to give you an idea of what to expect. Thankfully, my video editing has improved since then, LOL!:
Non-flash video link ——————
Nadine Kam is Style Editor and staff restaurant critic at the Honolulu Star-Advertiser; her coverage in print on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Contact her via email at nkam@staradvertiser.com and follow her on Twitter, Instagram and Rebel Mouse.
Lifetime photos Hawaii designer Kini Zamora, bottom row right, made it through the premiere episode of “Project Runway” Season 13.
Project Runway Season 13
Episode 1: “The Judges Decide”
The beginning of the 13th season of Lifetime’s “Project Runway” featured the designer’s final presentations before the judges last cast cut. The show started with 19 designers, but three would be cut before the first competition started.
In the audition segment, Hawaii designer Kini Zamora wins several “I love it!’s” from Nina for his collection that included an elaborately constructed fitted denim dress. His technical skills are unquestioned, and it’s no surprise that he is one of the lucky 16 who make it onto the show.
For the first competition each designer is assigned a trunk full of fabric, all different. They are allowed to beg or borrow from each other to get the fabric they want to create an outfit suitable for a spring collection.
Kini is given very little air time, which, if you’re familiar with “Project Runway,” is a good thing. Most of the air time tends to be devoted to the competition’s winners and losers.
Kini Zamora’s creation was very safe, but in opening rounds, the middle ground almost guarantees a designer will return the following week.
During the less than stellar runway show, Kini sends down a classic fitted sleeveless dress and jacket. Very safe, but well sewn. It easily puts him in the middle if the pack.
Judges determine the best looks to be by returning designer Amanda Valentine, Char Glover and Sandhya Garg. No one gets Sandhya’s design. When it came down the runway I thought it was hideous. But to the designers’ shock, the judges love it!!??
When they inspect it later, they find it is full of intricate hidden details that those of us watching on tiny screens can’t see. They love her creativity because it is something they’ve never seen before (because no one would wear it!) Actually, as they show the details and I see the torn details of the sleeve, I would be intrigued enough to try it on if I saw it on a rack. I like details and deconstruction.
Char Glover’s design was beautiful and well-constructed.
I think Char should have won. The decision came down to perfection or creativity, and the judges chose Sandhy as the winner. The other contestants are baffled.
As for the designer sent home, Jefferson Musanda’s ensemble was the clear-cut loser of the bunch. He showed a disproportionate crop top, and high-waisted shorts that looked like a diaper.
Keep watching to see how Kini fares. During previous season auditions, he’s been consistently told to edit, edit, edit. If he can keep his fantastical impulses in check, his technical skills may take him far.
Sandhya Garg had the winning look, which shocked the other designers. It looked sloppy, poorly constructed, and just plain weird.
Jefferson Musanda was rightly sent home for this heinous crime against womankind.
Keep up with episodes: http://www.mylifetime.com/shows/project-runway ——————
Nadine Kam is Style Editor and staff restaurant critic at the Honolulu Star-Advertiser; her coverage in print on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Contact her via email at nkam@staradvertiser.com and follow her on Twitter, Instagram and Rebel Mouse.
Nadine Kam photos It was amazing to see every arrival to Honolulu’s inaugural Dîner en Blanc, dressed in cool, clean summer whites.
Given the name Dîner en Blanc, you would think the global event that took place for the first time in Honolulu on Saturday would be all about food.
But I think food took a backseat to the fashion, an ethereal sea of white that easily transported guests to the more mannered time as befitting the secret site that turned out to be ‘Iolani Palace.
Well of course it didn’t last. After dinner, champagne and wine, crazy dancing ensued and a little drizzle in advance of the weekend’s pending storm didn’t dampen spirits.
Here is the way we wore to attend this special inaugural event:
Before arriving at the designated spot, participants waited at bus rendezvous points throughout Honolulu. At Waterfront Plaza (the former Restaurant Row), John Garcia and Avy Chan waited for their ride.
Shay Fukayama ties a mask on Aline Tran.
Traci Randolph followed the rules of Dîner en Blanc, bringing a picnic basket to suit the evening’s white theme. She’s with Leschon Serrano.
Jade by Nikolai designer Nikolai Tsang, no stranger to staging events, tried to keep the white theme going down to the food on her table, which included homemade white pasta, cauliflower, goat cheese salad, chicken breast and coconut cake. She’s with Scott Mellon.
Co-host Maleko McDonnell, left, posed for photos with guests.
Melissa Rivera and Emiko Miyazawa enjoy the moment.
Evan and Risa Beer play with fans provided by Curate Decor + Design for the Aloha table.
Linh and Mark Owen. Linh wore a Super Citizen strapless dress in anticipation of the day's humidity, with a lace headband from H&M, and feather boa and accents from Ben Franklin.
W Salon’s Jake Acedo, left, and Jason Agbayani. They wore C.C. Exclusive hats and Etro pants. Under Jake's boa is a J. Crew classic shirt and Gucci sweater, while Jason wore a Hypercrush tee, Love Stitch shirt and sheer cardigan.
Cori Okabayashi and Nick Segum.
Vanessa and Jaime Rodriguez.
From left, Gabriel Yanagihara, Olga Brandao, Daria Roud, Simons Winstone and Irma Klebanov.
Russell and Donna Pascua found their light-up glasses and bow tie on Amazon a few weeks before the event.
The Pascuas with Sandy and La Sarmiento, Beverly Santos and Peter Pascua.
Dancing the night away.
For the background story and video of the event, check out my Take a Bite blog post.
Nadine Kam photos Lance Rae was the winner of a hot pink Philipp Plein clutch at the grand opening of the Koi Honolulu boutique at Royal Hawaiian Center.
Koi Honolulu celebrated its grand opening Tuesday at Royal Hawaiian Center with a mini fashion show and prize giveaways.
A trio of men walked away with much coveted women’s accessories and jewelry from Philipp Plein and Chan Luu, among the exclusive brands carried by the boutique that was previously known as Koi Boutique, a much smaller shop within the center.
Owner Kyong Chang’s aim in 2008 was to bring unique and exclusive designs to Honolulu, and the expansion into the larger 2,200 square-foot space would suggest she’s succeeded.
Although the original store’s dark and edgy, rock ‘n’ roll-inspired mix initially drew Japan visitors to shop, Chang said the shop now attracts international, as well as local traffic.
The new store has a more spare, luxe feel than the former space.
Momoko Metzger and Angelo Bruno walked the runway during a mini fashion show that was a highlight of the event.
Owner Kyong Chang says the move includes expanding the store’s product lines to cater to a larger audience. “Many of these lines are popular overseas, and we hope to establish a ‘bridge’ with Europe to bring the latest fashion to Hawaii.”
Within the boutique space, she’s managed to create what amounts to a mini casual, but upscale department store stocked with clothing, bags, shoes, fashion and fine jewelry, and other accessories.
Brands currently offered include Andrea D’Amico, Bark, Chan Luu, Cruciani, The Editor, Franco Ferrari, HTC (Hollywood Trading Co.), Hydrogen, Jerome Dreyfuss, Louis Leeman, Luis Morais, M. Cohen, Orlebar Brown, Orobianco, Philipp Plein, Phonz Says Black, PRPS, PT05, Santa Maria Novella & LAFCO, Siwy, Sydney Evan, Victoria Beckham, and Zoe Karssen.
Where the smaller store had a claustrophobic vibe with so many items crammed in, the new store is spacious, well-lighted and spare in its approach to merchandising, so items are easy to find and see.
Of course, when you can see everything, you tend to want everything!
It was at the original Koi Boutique that I picked up a lasting obsession with Chan Luu’s wrap bracelets. I also love the designer’s luxe boho clothing, also carried at Koi Honolulu.
Dressed head to toe in a maxi dress and jewelry carried by Koi Honolulu.
Prize drawing winners Taiki Nakamura, left, and John Garcia, show off their prizes, a Philipp Plein skull-and-bones crossbody bag and Chan Luu bracelet, respectively.
Young Leila only had eyes, and hands, for mommy Nani Hirosane’s Kate Spade necklace.
Among the store’s unique product offerings is Santa Maria Novella’s potpourri, handmade with herbs and flowers grown without pesticides in the Florentine hills, based on the original recipes of Dominican friars who founded the pharmacy in 1221. ——————
Koi Honolulu is on the ground level of the Royal Hawaiian Center, 2233 Kalakaua Ave. Open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Call 808.922.4532 or visit koiboutiquewaikiki.com. One hour of free parking is offered with validation for a $10 minimum purchase.
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Nadine Kam is Style Editor and staff restaurant critic at the Honolulu Star-Advertiser; her coverage in print on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Contact her via email at nkam@staradvertiser.com and follow her on Twitter, Instagram and Rebel Mouse.
Nadine Kam photos Gillia designer Saori Santos, left, previewed her Fall 2014 "Yamato Nadeshiko" collection during a fashion show at the June 21 Honolulu Night Market. With her is sales Mayo Kawamura and Kawamura's son Noah.
Gillia presented its Fall 2014 “Yamato Nadeshiko” collection during the June 21 Honolulu Night Market in Kaka’ako.
Japan-born designer Saori Santos has been known in recent years for her playful resort collections in bright tropical colors, but has toned her palette down for fall as befitting the collection that takes its name from an old Japanese term describing the grace and beauty of Japanese women.
The result is a sublime womanly and romantic collection of designs featuring delicate floral prints, with sheer and flowing garments that gently floated with the evening’s soft breezes.
There’s no doubt the garments would have been snatched up on the spot if they were being offered for sale, but women will have to wait for the collection’s fall arrival between September and October.
Below are a couple of screen grabs from my video, in case you don’t have time to watch the whole thing, though I think it’s always best to see how a garment moves:
From left, stylist Tiare Thomas (with her social media pooch @WhiskeyTheFrenchie), Nikki Nguyen and model/photographer Daniela Voicescu said they were noting each piece they wanted as it came down the runway, and it all added up to a lengthy wish list.
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Nadine Kam is Style Editor and staff restaurant critic at the Honolulu Star-Advertiser; her coverage is in print on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Contact her via email at nkam@staradvertiser.com and follow her on Twitter, Instagram and Rebel Mouse.
Nadine Kam photos From left, Nina Thai, Ritsuko Kukonu and Makamae Kahawai show some of Love Renaissance's products.
There was no sleep, just a lot of laughter, zaps and suds when Love Renaissance decided to host a girls night out “slumber party” to introduce new products.
The beautification ritual is not a pretty sight, and while I’m loathe to go bare-faced in public, Waikiki magazine editor Sarah Honda and I were the first to try the photofacial device promising tauter, glowing skin. Off came the makeup and by evening’s end, even those who at first refused to remove makeup that took much effort to put on were washing their face not once, but twice, to try the various product lines. As one guest put it, “I don’t care anymore.”
Never mind that many of the evening’s photos would end up plastered across several social media platforms!
There were a lot of kabuki faces in the crowd as guests cleaned up with Xtrue 10 PM Foam.
The photofacial machine gave us a good zap with every push of a button. If you've ever had an IPL, or Intense Pulsed Light treatment, that's what it felt like, a jolt of heat and slight sting.
The product lines sampled ranged from the beginner’s Swaness, so named to turn ugly young ducklings into beautiful swans, up through the top-of-the-line Verdi series for more serious facial woes.
Gisele Zelauy was the ringleader for the event, bringing her infectious joie de vivre to the evening of facials, skin treats and sweet treats that included Le Tour Cafe macarons and some of the best chocolates in the world.
Gisele being Gisele.
Sitting on a shelf were dozens of Gisele's modeling photos, singing the praises of Love Renaissance products. Since using the products, she said her skin is so good she wears no face makeup, only eye makeup.
Among of her pearls of wisdom: “If you don’t like what you see in the mirror, look somewhere else.”
“Create the mise en scene; change your lighting, don’t obsess over every spot.”
In other words, don’t take beauty so seriously. The right products can improve the look of our skin, but none of us can hope for airbrushed perfection. She said that if she worried about the size of her nose, she never would have become a model.
Her energy and enthusiasm made it clear why Karl Lagerfeld chose her as muse for Maison Chanel, and the vivacious Brazilian proudly proclaims herself “the original Gisele from Brazil.”
Modern men know they have to keep up with women and were game to try the photofacial device.
We were all squeaky clean by evening's end.
There were a lot of sweet bites including chocolates, cupcakes and macarons.
Both men and women took turns zapping their skin into shape with photo facials. Maybe women are more accustomed to such treatment, because they took it in stride, while men jumped with early zaps, mentioning it was particularly painful in facial hair areas.
It was entertaining watching the men, who were so random in their approach, compared to women who are very methodical about covering every centimeter of skin.
The party was timed to get us all out the door by 9 p.m. so we could get a good night’s sleep, because sleep is one of the best weapons for fighting signs of aging. And, it’s free. ————— Love Renaissance is in the Royal Hawaiian Center, 2201 Kalakaua Ave., Building C, ground level. Call 808.923.0991. ——————
Nadine Kam is Style Editor and staff restaurant critic at the Honolulu Star-Advertiser; her coverage in print on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Contact her via email at nkam@staradvertiser.com and follow her on Twitter, Instagram and Rebel Mouse.
