A mutt stole the show at 'Mutts and Models' fashion show

Nadine Kam photos
Anne Namba's models line up after the "Mutts and Models" benefit fashion show for the Hawaiian Humane Society.

There was a time Anne Namba was a "normal" dog fan, liking them enough but not one to go overboard in coddling a pet, unlike her friend Anna Meng, who doesn't mind stating she likes animals more than people and puts her money and time where her heart is as a contributor to the Hawaiian Humane Society.

But hanging around Meng turned Namba into a bonafide dog person and the two teamed up to present a free fashion show, "Mutts and Models," on Feb. 21, as a benefit for the HHS, at Namba's 324 Kamani St. boutique.

When model Shanna Hulme emerged with Namba's new puppy Dingo in her arms, a chorus of "Awws," rose from the crowd, evidence that the mere sight of pets really do make people happy. Other models included a gallery of TV personalities: Olena Heu, Kathy Muneno and Trini Kaopuiki.

Namba is known for her use of Asian-inspired prints and fashions created from kimonos she collects throughout Asia. This time around, she showed ombre silks in colors ranging from aqua to turquoise to purple, bustiers from obi fabric and laser-cut leather, and strapless gowns created from wedding kimono fabric.

Designers Anne Namba, left, and Anna Meng, with Anne's new puppy, Dingo, who stole the show when model Shanna Hulme emerged with the live "accessory."


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The event served as a prelude to the humane society's "Tuxes & Tails Bow Wow to Hollywoof" gala coming up April 5, with the idea of providing that event's attendees (and others) an opportunity to pick out something unique to wear to the gala or other special occasions.

Inspired by the gala's theme, Namba created an Old Hollywood collection of 1930s- and '40s-inspired evening wear, including bias cuts, pleats, sequins and a black, sequined lace gown in a fishtail silhouette, all accessorized with jewelry by Meng, owner of The Meng Dynasty.

The show also featured evening attire for men, including sleek tuxedo jackets with a modified mandarin collar.

With a portion of sales from the evening donated to the humane society, animal lovers were shopping before the show even started.

Anna created four love-a-dog-themed bracelets for the event.

 Trini Kaopuiki in a strapless gown fashioned from wedding kimono fabric.

Kathy Muneno in hot pink.

POW WOW: White knights for the arts at 'Blank Canvas'

Nadine Kam photos
Blank Canvas committee member Anna Meng, right, with, from left, Reg Worthley, Eve Shere, Kathy Inouye and Myles Inouye.

Hundreds were willing to flout the old fashion rule about never wearing white after Labor Day in support of POW WOW Hawaii's "Blank Canvas" fundraiser that took place Oct. 6 at The Warehouse, at 683 Auahi St.

The evening of art and cuisine included food served up by Mark Noguchi, Whole Foods Market, Whole Ox's Robert McGee, Daniel Anthony, and others, as guests dressed in white dropped off white T-shirts to be worked on by artists Matt and Roxy Ortiz, Kamea Hadar, Jeffrey Gress, Jasper Wong and Cade Roster.

POW WOW Hawaii is a group of contemporary artists committed to community enrichment through art outreach programs. You may have driven past the many Kaka'ako murals painted by artists from all over the world, organized by POW WOW members.

The organization has also partnered with likeminded 808 Urban to go into schools as advocates of art as expression, speaking to youths at risk because they have no outlet for their energy and creativity.

I wasnn't able to stay long, and missed the evening's highlight speed-painting event, which had the artist's creating a giant mural of Marilyn Monroe's face on the building's back wall. We didn't know what they would be creating, and MM made an intriguing choice!

For more information, visit http://powwowhawaii.com

Mike Hogan with his white accessory, Kea.

Artists Matt and Roxy Ortiz at work on event tees.

Anne Namba took a break from her fashion biz to worked on the Blank Canvas committee in support of her nephew, artist Kamea Hadar.

Carole Hayashino, president and executive director of the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai'i, said she typically dresses in black, and had to pull together every white piece she owns just for the event. I told her she should wear white more often.

Cade Roster works behind a display of one of his finished shirts.

Convention Center venue for Namba show

Nadine Kam video stills
A model walks in the finale to Anne Namba's fashion show for Hui Makaala.

Hui Makaala presented its annual scholarship fashion show at the Hawai'i Convention Center on Oct. 10, 2010. It was the first time, aside from a small Kawaii Kon Lolita show, that I'd seen a fashion show of this caliber staged at this venue. It was comparable in size and audio-visual scope to shows that have usually gone into the Sheraton Waikiki Ballrooms.

It's a very nice venue that easily packed in 600 supporters of the Okinawan scholarship organization, which this year selected seven scholarship recipients: Glen Allen Beavers (Pahoa High), Natalie Fukuhara (Aiea High), Darlene Fukuji (Hawaii Baptist Academy), Kara Funakoshi (Maryknoll), Melanie Matsuda (Kohala High), Marcie Moribe (Pacific Buddhist Academy) and Shawna Watanabe (Pearl City High).

Anne Namba was the afternoon's designer, presenting pieces from her "Madama Butterfly" collection, based on costumes she created for the Savonlinna Opera Festival's production of the opera last year, with Hawaii Opera Theatre's Henry Akina as stage director. Opening the show was a snippet o video from the production, which was set against the centuries-old gray stone walls of the Finland castle that houses the annual festival.

I've seen at least three different incarnations of Namba's show. One of the downside of being in Hawaii is there are still too few who can stage a show on this scale, so organizations that go scouting usually rely on the same designers. Even so, Namba has managed to change the staging each time, and the setting allowed for beautiful projected images, opera arias by Chiho Villasenor, Maya Hoover and Erik Haines, and piano accompaniment by Beebe Freitas.

PYNK Salon and Lloyd Horibe of Hairscapes were responsible for the models' hair, and Kecia Littman and Alana Kazimirski did the makeup.

The show was vast, divided into four segments, each with its own video below. Where applicable, the opening art images are by Kazuko Sakima:


Another of Anne Namba's designs, inspired by Puccini's "Madama Butterfly."


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