Party with The Collective at the opening of its new Ward Village shop

Nadine Kam photos
Allison Izu, left, and Summer Shiigi will welcome shoppers to the grand opening of The Collective, their new work/retail space at Ward Warehouse, Ward Village Shops, July 9.

The Collective is hosting a grand opening party between 2 and 8 p.m. July 9, with light refreshments, new design launches, and an interactive photo booth from Shoots Booth allowing shoppers to show off their new outfits and purchases.

The Collective is a combination retail/design workspace for local brands Allison Izu and Ten Tomorrow's Summer Shiigi.

"The Collective," spelled out in cookies.

“We wanted to create a new boutique where customers can see our workspace and how we develop products while also enjoying a personalized shopping experience,” said Shiigi.

During a preview event July 8, the work tables were cleared for food catered by The Pig & The Lady. Directly below the food service area were rolls and rolls of fabric representing the next few months of designs.

"Aren't you afraid something will spill?" I asked.

Shiigi's response? "Yeah, it could happen, but it'll all be worth it."

Schedules and two months of designs in allison Izu's workspace.

Allison Izu Song of Allison Izu and Shiigi of Ten Tomorrow founded The Collective (formerly known as The Cut Collective) in 2013 with the aim of, not only developing their own brands, but to provide a space for independent local designers to also develop their own “made in Hawaii” brands.

The pair continue to use their expertise in consulting and mentoring to help other local brands achieve their goals.

During the grand opening event, the first 25 shoppers to spend $250 or more will receive a gift with purchase. The designers will also be launching a stamp card rewards program on the same day.
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The Collective is at 1050 Ala Moana Boulevard, Suite 1460, at the Diamond Head of the mall. It's open daily from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays to Saturdays, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays. Call (808) 591-6219, or visit thecollectivehi.com, or email info@thecollectivehi.com.

The Collective's retail space is at the front of the shop, and work space is in the back.

Shiigi got a lei and a hug from one well-wisher.

The Pig & The Lady provided the food during a preview event July 8.

Hangers that form part of the boutique's decor looked like clouds.

Champagne for the occasion.

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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.

Showtime for Hui Makaala

Nadine Kam photo
From left, Cut Collective’s Rumi Murakami, Summer Shiigi and Allison Izu tended to sales following their runway presentation at the 46th annual Hui Makaala annual scholarship fashion show.

BY NADINE KAM

Among the models sharing the runway with the pros at the 46th annual Hui Makaalala scholarship fund fashion show were several friends and past scholarship recipients of the Okinawan cultural, social and educational organization, plus politicos Ann Kobayashi, Keith Kaneshiro, Donna Mercado Kim and Hawaii First Lady and the event’s honorary chair Dawn Amano-Ige, along with KITV’s Moanike’ala Nabarro and Kenny Choi, who had people saying at my table that he is much better looking in person than on television.

I have to agree. It must be that whole suit and gravitas-added eyeglasses thing on TV that shows the more serious side of the person we saw on stage.

At any rate, with the triumvirate of the The Cut Collective (Allison Izu, Rumi Murakami and Summer Shiigi), Manuheali’i and KZ Hawaii/Kini Zamora, it was one of Hui Makaala’s strongest showcases in recent years.


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The show opened with the Cut Collective, featuring casual and daily wear separates by the three individual designers. The great thing about showing the pieces on the guest models is that audience members could relate to the fit of the garments on people with “normal” and not giantess or extra slim dimensions, which is what these designers keep in mind during the creative process. The pieces are very relatable and wearable, and included a trio of separates from Izu’s recent summer travel capsule collection geared toward road warriors who travel light and want to get the most mileage out of the fewest pieces possible.


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The navy, black and gray of the street-ready styles soon gave way to the color of Danene Lunn’s Manuheali’i creations. The audience responded with plenty of applause for fruity, citrusy colors in breezy resort styles ranging from dresses to jumpsuits.

Because the designers used the same models, there was no finale walk to close the shows, and there was a moment of confusion when Neka Stephens walked the runway twice, in the finale of the Manuheali’i show, and start of Kini Zamora’s KZ Hawai’i showcase. It's OK, we like seeing Neka on stage!


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It turns out the bright orange and hot pink nautilus-print jumpsuit did indeed belong to Kini, whose show spanned the range of beach, day, evening and bridal looks.

And no one can say Hawaii audiences don’t appreciate artistry. There was a noticeable buzz in the air when he sent down a black dress with sleeves and hemline that flowed like a cape, demonstrating technique that show why he finished so high on “Project Runway.”

This year, nine students are the beneficiaries of Hui Makaala scholarships. They are: Alexander Abe (Waldorf High to University of Hawaii at Manoa, public relations/communications), Riley Cabarloc (Hilo High to Hawaii Community College, nursing), Justin Higa (Aiea High to UHM, natural resource management), Kylie Leong (Kamehameha Schools to UH-West Oahu, business management), Kelli Miyahira (Punahou to NYU, music therapy), Ty Shimabukuro (Punahou to UHM, marine biology), Sydney Tsukenjo (Sacred Hearts Academy to Central Seattle College, political science and philosophy), Tylar Umemo (Mid-Pacific Institute to Anne Arundel Community College, culinary arts) and Kim Yamamoto (Hawaii Baptist Academy to UNLV, civil engineering).

Lastly, a suggestion for future fashion show producers. When you have models veering left and right on a runway, have them stop in the center first. It’s better for photos and video.

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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.

It's official: October is Hawai'i Fashion Month

Travis K. Okimoto photo
Gov. Neil Abercrombie with some of the stylists, designers and faces of Hawaii's fashion future. 

Gov. Neil Abercrombie proclaimed October as Hawai'i Fashion Month during a preview event that took place Aug. 6 at The MODERN Honolulu.

As soon as I got there, people were asking, "Who are you wearing?" It turned out to be the question of the day, and the answer had better have been a local designer in keeping with the spirit of the day and October's big event, designed to put the spotlight on Hawaii as a destination for fashion travel, shopping, manufacturing and trade.

Signature events in October will include "OUTFIT: Hawaii Fashion Designers Market Oct. 2 and 3 at Ward Centers, a HiSAM Bridal and Formalwear Fashion Show and Exhibition Oct. 4, Fall Fashion Event Oct. 4 to 6 at Ala Moana Center, Hawaii Designer Fashion Show at Royal Hawaiian Center Oct. 24, and Governor's Fashion Awards Oct. 30 at the MODERN Honolulu. Visit www.hawaiifashionmonth.com for calendar and details.

The Guv was wearing an aloha shirt with a carp design by Hawaii Island's Sig Zane. At risk of offending other brand representatives in hand for the event, he explained that he "round robined" his wardrobe and that it was simply Sig's day, adding that with the growth in the industry, it's possible to wear a different local brand every day of the month.

Meanwhile, Sen. Will Espero, who made the opening remarks and introduced the governor, wore an 'Iolani shirt with a Ralph Lauren jacket, and mused that we need more local designers who could produce such jackets.

I'm wearing mostly local. As Gov. Neil Abercrombie pointed out, Hawaii fashion was once all about the exotic. Today, it's progressed to being everyday contemporary, and coincidentally, my story in the Aug. 8 issue of the Star-Advertiser is about summer whites and how Angels by the Sea designer Nina Thai tries to marry retro Hawaii ideas with contemporary pieces that would be at home anywhere in the world.

I agree. I have a fondness for structure. But, on this hot day, I happened to reach out for something cool and light and that happened to be a white, flowy dress by Angels by the Sea. I didn't plan on dressing local but it's easy to do in the summer because local designers do know a thing or two about warm-weather dressing and accessorizing. It turned out I was also wearing leather and suede floral slippers from Island Slipper, a headband by Florencia Arias, silver maile earrings by Renee Rokero, and rutilated quartz necklace by Kimberly Le. The non-natives were a white strawberry necklace from So Good Jewelry, bracelet from La Muse, Valentino Rockstud sunglasses from Nordstrom, and Valentino Nuage purse from Neiman Marcus. But, since those purchases came from local stores, not online, they still help support the local economy.

Before issuing his proclamation proclaiming October as Hawaii fashion month, Gov. Neil Abercrombie talked about his own relationship with fashion's players and Hawaii's fashion history over the past 50 years, including the vision of Hilo Hattie and energetic promotion of Hawaii by Surf Line Hawaii's founder Dave Rochlen, but said, "I'm looking at the future. I'm not looking backward."

Toward that end, Hawaii has secured a visa exception for visitors from Taiwan, and Abercrombie said he is working on getting a similar exception for travelers from China, exclusive to Hawaii for a trial period, and he believes shopping Hawaii's factories and manufacturing outlets is a natural selling point for visitors from Asia.

Nadine Kam photos
The Gov. (in Sig Zane) with a copy of the Hawai 'i Fashion Month proclamation. He's flanked by, from left, Sen. Will Espero (wearing Ralph Lauren with a Hilo Hattie aloha shirt), Hawaii Fashion Incubator co-founders Melissa White (in 'Iolani) and Toby Portner (in Manuheali'i).

Even if it's a niche market, he said, tours of Maui's lavender farm also started as a niche market that has grown into a big draw for tourists interested in the unique tour and attendant edibles and bath and body products.

With a certain amount of exclusivity and insider cachet built into such tours, travelers are certain to go home and tell all their friends about the unique designer finds they found in Hawaii.

With decades of experience in casual wear, Abercrombie said there's no reason Hawaii can't be a leader in producing swimwear, resort wear and hats, and become a leisure wear mecca for tourists.

Hifi co-founder Melissa White said, "We have the talent, the legacy, support and audience."

At the event, members of the fashion community were surrounded by displays depicting the diversity of the local industry. Featured here were aloha wear designs for the whole family, from Hawaiian Moon, part of the Hilo Hattie family.

Hats from Yellow Bird Bohemia.

Kidswear by Aloha Sand Co.

Dress and accessories by Beverly Horton, and separates by Allison Izu.

We know swimwear, of course.

One more reason to shop Allison Izu at Nordstrom

Photos courtesy Allison Izu
Enter to win this embossed snake Marc by Marc Jacobs bag, valued at $358, by shopping Allison Izu at Nordstrom, tomorrow through the end of July.

Allison Izu Song is delivering her newest collection of Allison Izu petite apparel during a trunk show taking place 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 30 in Nordstrom’s Petite Focus department.

New styles include the Honolulu Walk Short (a great casual mid-length short), the Peni Skirt (a classic, slimming pencil skirt), the Hotel & Smith (straight skinny jean) and the Hotel Capri (straight skinny capri), available in options of dark black denim, indigo denim, chambray and a new blue washed denim, all with stretch for comfort and ease, sized for women 5-foot-6 and shorter.

And, if you need one more reason to show up and BUY, for every pair of Allison Izu jeans you purchase at Nordstrom Ala Moana, you will be entered to win the Marc by Marc Jacobs handbag pictured above. Entries will be taken up til the drawing on July 31. Good luck!

At left, Allison Izu's Hotel & Smith straight skinny jean, $138.

Are you ready for Black Friday?

Nadine Kam photos
Michelle Fujii, left, and Eden in Love owner Tanna Dang wear and show a couple of the boutique’s bestsellers during a preview of their Black Friday sale.

Black Friday is creeping into Thursday as more and more stores are going the blockbuster movie route in starting the Christmas run at midnight, which set off a round of grumbling among early morning Black Friday shoppers in our office because everybody knows that in years past, doors opening at 5 a.m. or 6 a.m. the day after Thanksgiving didn’t mean getting there at 5 or 6 a.m. It meant camping out from midnight or earlier. So will that mean people will actually cut their dinner time short to line up long begore midnight? I guess we’ll find out overnight.

As much as I don’t like the retail intrusion on Thanksgiving Day, it doesn’t affect me because I don’t like to shop in crowds. Maybe some people are super-organized and can keep their wits under duress, but I’m not one of them.

Meanwhile, Eden in Love, at Ward Warehouse, gave 50 of its VIP customers a jumpstart on Black Friday, hosting a preview of its Black Friday sale. (Don’t worry, 50 women didn’t make a dent in the number of items available, which includes clothing, scarves, hats, handbags, jewelry, etc.)

Eden in Love photo
I bought this Eden in Love lace mesh dress in green.

Black Friday is so good for the boutique, that instead of taking up one of the second-floor conference rooms at the center, this year they’ve taken two to contend with the crush of shoppers, with one room for the registers, and a Disney-like line setup so there’s no confusion as to who’s first in line.

As in past years, tomorrow’s early birds will get the biggest discount. From 9 to 10 a.m., customers will receive a 40 percent discount. With dresses prieed at about $48, for instance, I picked up four dresses for a little more than $100.

The discount will decrease every hour, with shoppers receiving 30 percent off everything from 10 to 11 a.m., 25 percent off from 11 a.m. to noon and 20 percent off until 9 p.m. Early birds also can enjoy a free breakfast bar, and there will be a “comfy zone” for guys who prefer to sit it out.

A smaller room is devoted to jewelry and hats, below, as well as sticky bras.

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OFFERINGS ELSEWHERE

Allison Izu
The local denim designer is offering an online sale at shopallisonizu.com from Black Friday through Cyber Monday. Take 30 percent off your $100 purchase with the code “BLACK30.” Spend $250 and get a 40 percent discount with the code “BLACK40,” or get 50 percent off your purchase of $350 ore more with the code “BLACK 50.”

Aveda
In what may be the best offering of the day, Aveda Experience Center will be providing shoppeers with respite from the day’s madness by offering your choice of complimentary stress relieving ritual that include a scalp and shoulder ritual, neck and shoulder ritual, hand ritual, makeup finishing touch or hairstyling ritual. Also, enjoy a complimentary cup of Aveda Comforting Tea, a 100 percent certified organic herbal infusion of licorice root and peppermint to ease mind and body, with free refills! The services will be offered from Black Friday through Sunday.
Of course, you can browse their wares as well, including eight limited-edition gift sets.

Mu’umu’u Heaven
For its eco purposes, the boutique has redubbed Black Friday, “Green Friday,” and are marking the occasion by offering up to 70 percent of merchandise from 10 a.m., as well as presenting a 4 to 7 p.m. trunk show by Big Island designer Jenn Eng of Aloha Friday sunglasses, with live music, pupu and refreshments. The boutique is at 767 Kailua Road.

Roberta Oaks
The designer has 30 free dresses to offer to the first shoppers who make a $50 purchase. She’s offering a 40 percent off storewide sale from 8 to 9 a.m., 30 percent off from 9 a.m. to noon, and 20 percent off all RO men’s and women’s apparel from noon to 6 p.m. The showroom is at 19 N. Pauahi St.

Victoria’s Secret
Offering a free tote with $65 purchase, while totes last. Inside the tote are VS Fantasies “Sheer Love” Hydrating Body Lotion (4.2 oz.), Victoria’s Secret “Bombshell” Body Mist (2.5 oz), VS PRO Airbrush FX Face Primer SPF 20 (.14 oz.) and Victoria’s Secret “Angel” Eau de Parfum (.05 oz.). One per person, and gift card purchases do not count. If you don’t want to deal with the crowds, you can also purchase online. Enter offer code “FRIDAY” at checkout.