Psychedelic Swell debuts at Surfjack

Nadine Kam photo
Models from the Psychedelic Swell fashion show posed for a group shot after the show.

Downtown denizens Roberta Oaks and Barrio Vintage's Bradley Rhea and Jonathan Saupe teamed up for a one-time, limited edition collaboration collection, Psychedelic Swell, that came to life during a fashion show at the Surfjack Hotel & Swim Club June 16.

it looked like the late 1960s and early ’70s all over again, with not only the models, but guests dressed in groovy retro-print garments, suede vests and polyester, echoing the vibe of the collection which featured Oaks' modern silhouettes, with garments sewn from Barrio Vintage's collection of era fabric.

“It was something we’d talked about for some time,” said Oaks.

Many of the textiles were manufactured in Honolulu in the 1960s and ’70s, and feature the bright color combinations of the psychedelic and neon generations.


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“To see them survive the test of time and find a new life has been both inspiring and exciting,” Rhea said. “For me, it was interesting to see this pile of fabric transformed.”

For Rhea, the experienced cured him of any desire to create a Barrio Vintage collection from scratch. “I was amazed by what’s involved in creating a collection and what it’s done is made me even more appreciative of people who do this for a living,” he said.

Usually, such a collection might be available for sale immediately after the show, but to make it fair for those who could not attend the show, the entire 26-piece collection of men’s and women’s wear went on sale online at 10 a.m. June 17 at RobertaOaks.com and Barrio Vintage.com., at prices ranging from about $120 to $150.

I was interested in one of the shifts, so kept checking the sites, even while out on a fashion shoot at Cromwell's. Most of the garments were gone by 1 p.m. And so, due to the mostly one-of-a-kind nature of the collection, these modern-retro collectible garments are destined to become tomorrow's rare vintage finds.

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Nadine Kam is Style Editor and staff restaurant critic at the Honolulu Star-Advertiser; her fashion coverage is in print on Saturdays. Contact her via email at nkam@staradvertiser.com and follow her on Twitter, Instagram and Rebel Mouse.

Hello Kitty Cafe Truck arrives in Hawaii

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The Hello Kitty Cafe Truck arrived at Ala Moana Center today, and hundreds of fans turned up to stand in line for edibles and merchandise.

The Hello Kitty Cafe Truck arrived at Ala Moana Center this morning for its first appearance in Hawaii, stationed in front of the Sanrio store.

The truck will be serving sweet treats from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. through June 19, although it's best to go as early as possible, because cafe edibles were shipped over along with the truck, and once they sell out, supplies can't be replenished.

Candace Lin in Hello Kitty puffy bow.

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Special items offered are a five-piece macaron box set ($15) with one surprise Sanrio character macaron inside, a three-piece Hello Kitty cookie set ($12), and a four-pack of mini cakes ($15). In addition to the goodies, a Hello Kitty Cafe mug ($13), pink Hello Kitty Cafe T-shirt ($25), pink bow-shaped water bottle ($4) and puffy bow headband ($30) will be available.

The Hello Kitty Cafe Truck debuted at Hello Kitty Con in October 2014 and has been rolling up to festivals and events nationwide ever since, spreading Sanrio’s message of happiness, friendship and fun. Shipping the truck over was costly, but the company didn't want to let geography exclude Hawaii from being part of the fun.

Hello Kitty T-shirts and mugs for sale.

The truck opened at 10 a.m. today, but people were in line from 8 a.m.

Some of the items included a three-piece cookie set, coffee mug and bow-shaped water bottle.

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Nadine Kam is Style Editor and staff restaurant critic at the Honolulu Star-Advertiser; her fashion coverage is in print on Saturdays. Contact her via email at nkam@staradvertiser.com and follow her on Twitter, Instagram and Rebel Mouse.

miraDry: Don't sweat the summer

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The miraDry system uses thermal energy to destroy sweat glands in the armpits, reducing sweating from that area permanently. Prior to treatment, a tattoo pattern is applied to help the technician guide the device.

Warmer summer days ahead mean we're heading into the sweaty season and some people will try anything to get rid of the nasty spotting and odor associated with perspiration, including removing their underarm sweat glands completely.

That's the promise of the miraDry system being used at The Vein and Skin Center of Hawaii, where Dr. W.Y. Chung says the thermal treatment, FDA approved in 2011, will safely get rid of 82 percent of sweat glands as a permanent solution to excessive sweating.


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The procedure eliminates eccrine glands responsible for body-cooling moisture, as well as apocrine glands responsible for odor. The apocrine glands secrete a protein- and lipid-rich secretion that, when broken down by normal skin bacteria, produce odor.

Because apocrine glands open into hair follicles, the follicles are also eliminated, reducing under arm hair by 70 percent.

Chung said it is safe to remove underarm sweat glands, no thicker than a single hair, because they represent only 2 percent of the body’s 2 to 4 million sweat glands.

Prior to miraDry, he said the most effective treatment for excessive armpit sweating was Botox injections, but those need to be repeated every six months, at a cost of about $3,000 each year. In comparison, the one-time miraDry treatment is $1,950.

For many who have tried the treatment, it has meant relief, and often, a new wardrobe for those who can now wear long sleeves comfortably and are no longer restricted to sweat-hiding black.

The full story is in the June 4 Star-Advertiser.
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More information: The Vein and Skin Center of Hawaii is in the Pan Am Building at 1600 Kapiolani Boulevard. Call (808) 949-8346.

The tattoo pattern corresponds to areas of treatment indicated on a screen.

Medical assistant/laser tech Jade Fernandez performs the treatment on a patient who uses her phone to watch what's happening.

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Nadine Kam is Style Editor and staff restaurant critic at the Honolulu Star-Advertiser; her fashion coverage is in print on Saturdays. Contact her via email at nkam@staradvertiser.com and follow her on Twitter, Instagram and Rebel Mouse.

Say 'Boo' to summer sweats

Nadine Kam photos
A chilling ghost story is one way to keep your cool over the summer. This Meiji period (1868-1912) nagajuban, or under kimono, with the sumi ink ghost design, floating from a lantern, typical of the Obon season.

During Obon season, ancestral spirits are said to return for a brief visit, providing the perfect backdrop for ghost stories, and coincidentally, one way to cool down over the long hot summer.

That's because blood vessels on the skin's surface contract when we're frightened, reducing the flow of blood and lowering the skin's temperature, which is why a scary story literally gives some people the chills.

That's just one of the interesting details to absorb from the “No Sweat: How Textiles Help Beat the Heat” summer exhibition at the Honolulu Museum of Art.

The exhibition is an exploration into the ways different cultures dealt with hot climates in terms of clothing choices.

The principles that drove ancient people continue to steer development of technologically advanced fibers and designs. That is, figuring out how to reduce moisture typically retained by clothing, and providing ventilation, something for all Hawaii designers to consider in their fabric choices and engineering.

The full story is in the June 4 Star-Advertiser.
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The Honolulu Museum of Art is at 900 S. Beretania St. Call 532-8700. Open 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays to Saturdays, and 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays through Sept. 18 (closed July 4). Admission is $10 for adults, free for members and ages 17 and younger; also free 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Family Sundays the third Sunday of the month; the first Wednesday each month; and for Hawaii residents with I.D. on Restoration Day July 31.

Hitoe, women's unlined summer kimono employed a gauze weave for physical cooling, and water and garden motifs for a psychological cooling effect.

A bamboo waistcoat from 19th century China was an undergarment that served as a barrier between skin and clothing, providing ventilation and preventing fabric's heat-inducing sticking and clinging.

Ramie fibers are still used in Korea for their absorbent and quick-drying qualities. Ramie cloth in Korea is often referred to as "wings of a dragonfly" because of their transparency, providing ventilation in humid weather.

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Nadine Kam is Style Editor and staff restaurant critic at the Honolulu Star-Advertiser; her fashion coverage is in print on Saturdays. Contact her via email at nkam@staradvertiser.com and follow her on Twitter, Instagram and Rebel Mouse.

Parade of 'Angels' in Waikiki

Nadine Kam photos
Nina Thai, front left, poses with her models during the grand opening of her second Angels by the Sea boutique in Waikiki, this one at the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani Hotel, streetfront on Kalakaua Avenue.

Nina Thai celebrated the grand opening of her second Angels by the Sea boutique June 2 with a party that started with a mini parade/fashion show of keiki and grownup models down Kalakaua Avenue.

Guests were invited to meet at The Waikiki Shopping Plaza, where models in angel wings and the boutique's new Summer 2016 collection—due to hit the racks in July—led the procession to the new store at the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani Hotel, streetfront on Kalakaua.

Nina started her girls line about six months ago because moms were asking for matchy-matchy rompers and dresses for their mini-me's.

After a blessing, well-wishers squeezed into the store, where sweet treats in ocean blue awaited. There was barely room to maneuver because so many were shopping the BOGO event. The buy-one-get-one free offer ends June 3. Angels by the Sea's resort-style rompers, sun dresses, maxis and separates are popular with women because they manage to be playful, feminine, sexy and romantic, all in one.

The lightweight garments are also ideal for our hot, humid weather. Keiki styles run from about $38 to $78, adults $80 to $180.

I get so many compliments when I wear Angels by the Sea. I wore a floor-length dress today and some of my co-workers were gushing, "Wow, you look great! Are you going out?"

Oh, hello. I go out almost every day and night, making what is supposed to be complimentary sound a bit insulting, like I'm not even trying every other day. But it just makes me think maybe I should be wearing Angels by the Sea more often!

Sales from the event will benefit the Hawai‘i Community Foundation Ellen Hamada Scholarship Fund for Fashion Design & Sewing, which supports local students pursuing their dreams in fashion industry. For Thai, it was a dream that became reality in 2010 when she opened her first location at Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa.

She's coy about what her next move will be, but I have a feeling this second boutique won't be her last.
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The new Angels by the Sea boutique is at the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani Resort & Spa, 2348 Kalakaua Ave. Call 921-2747. Hours are 9 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. daily.

Nina led a parade of "angels" from Waikiki Shopping Plaza to her store, drawing smiles from visitors along the way.

A couple of the grown-up styles, which will be available in July.