On Ala Moana's spring Shop A Le'a runway

Backstage with DVF boutique manager Marilee Mattson, center, and her platinum-haired models.

Here's a look at DVF and Bloomingdale's designs that were on the runway when Ala Moana Center presented its spring fashion event, Shop A Le'a, March 14 through 20. These shows took place on March 19.


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Ted Baker London arrives at Ala Moana Center

Nadine Kam photos
A peek into the windows at the new Ted Baker London store in Ala Moana Center’s Ewa Wing Expansion.

BY NADINE KAM

Ted Baker London hosted a grand opening party Nov. 10, two days before the boutique opened its doors in Ala Moana Center’s new Ewa Wing.

The luxury clothing brand is known for its distinct use of pattern and color and a quintessential British sensibility, unconventional and irreverent, with attention to detail that to learned eyes deliver something out of the ordinary.

I’ve always been a bit obsessed with British style, so became the first to make a purchase from the new boutique, a pretty floral flared skirt. Their women’s fashion combine retro ladylike prettiness and classic lines with a bit of cheek and sass that makes it fun, not too serious.

Not to be ignored, Ted Baker gives equal time to menswear, for men who want to get noticed.

During a weekend of fashion shows celebrating the opening and the fall season, Ted Baker was also among the brands featured on Ala Moana’s Center Stage Nov. 14.


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Jenny Kim, left, and Tarynn Nago wear dresses by Ted Bake, with the boutique's dressing rooms as a backdrop.

Spools of thread that are part of the decor, convey a sense of London tailoring.

Ladylike goves.

The feminine bow is a Ted Baker signature.

A well-dressed woman is matched by a dapper gentleman.

Daniel Morales in Ted Baker, with the boutique’s dressing rooms as a backdrop.

Cocktails served up in coconut cups.

The charming invite made note of Ted Baker’s roots as a shirt specialist and the company’s new home in Hawaii.

As one of the first of the 30-plus new stores to open its doors, party-goers that evening were greeted by security outside the construction barricade. Once the doors opened, the first glimpse of the beautiful new wing and the lighted store were revealed. The barricades are now history!

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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.

Catch last day of Ala Moana Center Fall Fashion Event

 Nadine Kam photos
Models wear Pepsi-inspired garments created by the Honolulu Community College All-Stars during one of the Fall Fashion Event red carpet fashion shows taking place Oct. 4 through 6 at Ala Moana Center.

The Fall Fashion Event is back at Ala Moana Center, part of Hawai‘i Fashion Month. Among the highlights are daily red carpet fashion shows traversing the length of the mall, featuring apparel from center merchants.

Shows Oct. 5 featured designs from bebe, Juicy Couture, Caché, and Honolulu Community College fashion technology all-stars Eddy Pong Cheung, Channelle Hillman, Reise Kochi, Jacky Lau, Randy Leano, Chai Siang Lim, Randy Oribello, Kitri Rowland, Natalie Sagaysay, Ari South and Rose Wolf. The all-stars, alongside mentor, designer and fashion show producer Amos Koto­mori, presented one-of-a-kind looks inspired by Pepsi.

Tell all your friends so they won't be clueless and get in the way when the models walk the red carpet.

More fashion shows take place Oct. 6 as follows:
Noon: Macy's
2 p.m.: Forever 21
4 p.m.: Valerie Joseph

During the event, there are all kinds of special deals, including the opportunity to win The Fall Fashion Event sweepstakes with a prize of $1,000 in Ala Moana Center gift cards and more. Over at Neiman Marcus, you can create your own custom pump from the Manolo Blahnik BB Boutique. Choose from five heel heights and 20 different colors.

The complete list of deals and offers at www.ala­moana­center.com.

Models in holiday and evening wear from Caché, among the retailers featured during the Fall Fashion Event at Ala Moana Center.


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The HCC All-Stars, including Ari South, right, and instructors Joy Nagaue, left, and Karen Kamahele, third from right.

Fashion show producer Amos Kotomori with Radasha Ho 'ohuli.

While waiting for the Pepsi show to start, photographer Mark Ramelb posed with Angela Byrd, who was modeling La Perla lingerie outside the boutique. La Perla is offering a 10 percent discount for the Fall Fashion Event through Oct. 6.

Outside Macy's, Starbucks was offering samples of its new Refreshers energy drink, just the thing I needed to keep going while running through the mall to get ahead of the models for the video. Luckily, the red carpet loop was long so I even had time to check out a product at Sephora while the models were en route. While I was in Tokyo a week-and-a-half ago, Starbucks was also offering free cans of the Refreshers on the street near my hotel, the central New Otani Asakura. I was eating out so much, though, that I never drank it and left it in the hotel mini bar.

The Caché models line up outside the store and vicinity.