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.

Pashma celebrates colors of spring

Nadine Kam photos
Pashma Hawaii International Brand Manager Naomi Gauthier is flanked by models Rose Alama, left, and Moani Hara in Pashma tops and wraps.

The lush colors of India and the luxury of cashmere were on display during a grand opening celebration and fashion show Feb. 18, featuring the Pashma Spring 2014 collection.

The boutique opened in the lobby of the Royal Hawaiian Hotel, a Luxury Collection Resort, last year, but held off grand opening festivities, timing it to the arrival of the new collection in bright colors befitting the season and Hawaii resort style, even though it comes from halfway around the world.

Pashma, founded in 1991, is an India-based, family-owned company and the artisinal brand can be found in 40 countries, from Singapore to France. The shop at the Royal Hawaiian is its first in the United States.


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Before the fashion show began, guests browsed the boutique to view brand's luxurious cashmere wool, linen and silk—the "noble fibers"—scarves, wraps and ready-to-wear separates and dresses.

The show gave people many ideas on how to wear the items, so many gravitated back to the store afterward, to pick up scarves starting at about $195.

In the Year of the Horse, designer Shilu Kumar came up with a limited edition bold horse print scarf, so I scooped up this piece of wearble art, thinking it might bring me better fortune. I don't know if color matters in this regard, but although it was available in bold tangerine, I got the one in more staid gray. The soft cashmere feels so good against skin, and though lightweight, is made to keep you warm when there's a chill in the air. I plan to use it on an upcoming trip to San Francisco.
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Pashma is in the Royal Hawaiian Hotel, A Luxury Collection Resort, at 2259 Kalakaua Ave., Suite 701, behind the Sheraton Waikiki. Call 808.931.7234. Open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Visit www.pashma.com

Miss Hawaii USA 2014 Moani Hara in a Pashma design.

This print modeled by Miki Taniguchi is reminiscent of Hawaii flora.

This top has a flowing self-scarf, great for people who must be coordinated, but who tend to lose track of accessories.

Fresh spring colors on Rose.

Poohko Hawaii's Ritsuko Kukonu had to get a feel of this cashmere dress.

Avon amps up drama with reverse cat-eye on Nicholas K runway

Avon courtesy photos

If you thought Avon was too "old lady" to be relevant today, it appears Avon Global Celebrity Makeup Artist Lauren Andersen wants to prove you wrong.

Love this reverse cat-eye look she created for the Nichoals K Fall/Winter 2014 runway show at New York Fashion Week.

To get the look:

1. She started with Avon Ideal Flawless Invisible Coverage Liquid Foundation.

2. She contoured cheeks using Smooth Minerals Powder Foundation in a slightly darker shade than the liquid foundation.

3. SuperShock gel eyeliner pencil in "Blackout" was used to paint a bold line on the lower lash line, extending the line beyond the eye for the reverse cat-eye.

4. False lashes were applied to the bottom lash line, then Andersen pumped up the drama with two coats of Mega Effects Mascara in black.

5. The look was completed with Ultra Color Absolute Lipstick in "Caramel Comfort."

Can't wait to try this over the weekend.

New York Fashion Week begins

An overview of the start of New York Fashion Week as culled from Instagram, via Storify: Click here to see all: http://storify.com/fashiontribe/around-instagram-nyfw-begins

Romantic notions from CHAI Studio

CHAI Studio photos

Shop for locally made Love bracelets from Our Palm Tree, for Valentine's Day.

Chai Studio is offering the opportunity to shop for your loved one for Valentine's Day, at an in-store event from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 8, featuring the opportunity to enjoy espresso and sweet bites, create a signature love potion at the store's scent bar, meet local artisans and decorate an illuminated lantern.

The shop is at the Diamond Head end of Ward Warehouse, 1050 Ala Moana Boulevard.
Call 536-4543.

Set the mood for romance with bedding of fine cotton and woven silks.

Make your own signature love potion with various perfume oils.

Mu'umu'u Heaven offers gift card contest

Mu'umu'u Heaven is offering the opportunity to win a $100 gift card as their Valentine's Day gift to one lucky person.

Stop by the boutique at 767 Kailua Road and guess the correct number of hearts in a glass jar. The winner will be announced the morning of Feb. 14.

Good luck! Call 263-3366 for more information.

'Wish to win' pieces from Kipling's spring 2014 collection

Kipling USA is giving fans the opportunity to "Wish to Win" some of its latest spring styles at www.Kipling-USA.com. Follow the instructions, create a wish list, pick four of your favorite styles, and keep wishing:

These were my picks:

Dior celebrates grand opening in Waikiki

Nadine Kam photos
Designs from Dior's Cruise 2014 collection were on view during the opening of the house's new Waikiki boutique.

Christian Dior Couture hosted a party to celebrate the grand opening of the new Dior boutique at T Galleria by DFS on Jan. 30.

The store design reflects Dior’s flagship boutique on 30 avenue Montaigne in Paris, where house founder Dior first showed his revelatory "New Look" couture collections in 1947.

Guests sipped champagne and enjoyed pupu from chef Chai Chaowasaree while eying Dior’s Cruise 2014 collection, which debuted in Monte Carlo at the invitation of His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco.

I arrived at the store late from a dinner party hosted by Ben Bridge and Patek Philippe. By then, all the guests, save for Crystal Pancipanci whose car was lost, had left. Seeing some of the accessories and artwork on display brought back memories of being able to see the fabulous "Esprit Dior" show at the MoCa Shanghai last fall, showing the lineage and evolution of the brand over 60 years.

Here's my post from the exhibition: http://fashiontribe.staradvertiserblogs.com/2013/09/28/moca-shanghai-celebrates-esprit-dior/

Men will get equal time later this spring, when a Dior Homme boutique is also set to open in Waikiki.
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The Dior boutique is at 2200 Kalakaua Ave.

Dior's Cruise 2014 collection, designed by Raf Simons was inspired by the waters of the Mediterannean, a playy of transparency, layers and the notion of energy. It also marked the minimalist designer's first-time foray into incorporating lace.

Wall of handbags.

 Pointed sandal in black-and-white snakeskin.

Spray-painted rounded pump.

Fashion week event promises international scope

Photo courtesy Paul Leo Klink-Harada
Gov. Neil Abercrombie at right with Akiko Shinoda, international director of Tokyo Fashion Week and some of the Japan-based artists and designers who will be helping to stage Honolulu Fashion Week, one of the Hawai'i Fashion Month events coming up in November.

In an event within an event, Hawai'i Fashion Month will be getting a boost from counterparts in Tokyo, Milan and New York.

The announcement was made at the Pagoda Hotel on Friday, where Akiko Shinoda, international director of Tokyo Fashion Week was introduced to talk about collaborations between visiting guest designers Saturdays Surf NYC, Maison Kitsune, Mr.Gentleman, and Corto Moltedo, and local designers/artists Sig Zane, Kaypee Soh and Heather Brown. Their collaboration lines will be unveiled Nov. 7 and 8, now that Hawai'i Fashion Month has been pushed back a month.

The partnership with Tokyo Fashion Week and the international designers is intended to be a catalyst for introducing Hawaii fashion to the world.

Shinoda helped to raise points as to why fashion is important for the entire community's economic well-being. She said fashion is important for any country. "They all invest a lot in the industry," she said, because fashion helps lead a country's prosperity, and influences other industries. As an example, where would Apple be today without great design? And all indicators suggest Apple will soon be among the tech companies entering the fashion fray.