Nordstrom Rack opens in Waikiki

Nordstrom Rack photos
A new Nordstrom Rack will open its doors at 9 a.m. Sept. 1.

It's a crazy time with President Obama in town causing tie-ups in traffic, the specter of hurricanes and mercury retrograde in effect, but Hawaii people love a grand opening and they keep coming.

Following openings of the International Market Place and its dozens of shops and restaurants, a new Nordstrom Rack will open its doors at neighboring Waikiki Trade Center at 9 a.m. Sept. 1.

Festivities begin at 8 a.m. with music, coffee and breakfast treats. There will also be a raffle giveaway of 30 $100 gift cards, plus, one lucky winner will score a $1,000 shopping spree through the retailers "Rule the Rack" sweepstakes, with drawing taking place at 8:25 a.m.

If lines outside the new Foodland Farms Ala Moana Center this morning are an indication, people won't be able to stay away.

A peek at the new store's interior.

Burberry Ala Moana reveals revamped look

Nadine Kam photos
The newly renovated Burberry store has reopened in its same location at Ala Moana Center's mall level. A front display featured this beautiful macramé trenchcoat.

Burberry Ala Moana marked the reopening of its renovated space with a blessing that took place July 14.

Shoppers walking into the store will see handbags in front, including Burberry's new Patchwork collection of runway bags, each named after a British street and crafted with different leathers, fabrics, color combinations and adornment, so no two are alike. They also offer the versatility of being worn as a shoulder bag, crossbody bag or carried as a clutch.

New to the boutique are the brand's new Patchwork runway bag, tapestries of texture, fabric and finishing details, no two alike, and with the versatility of being carried three ways.

Of course I fell in love with the more casual Burberry rucksack that became the "It" bag when it debuted on spring's runway as part of the part of the Functionregalia collection, and was promptly seen on Cara Delevingne, Taylor Swift and "Suicide Squad's" Margot Robbie.

Bloomingdale's April Fool's prank ends with sweet surprise

Nadine Kam photo
The real deal, Forty Carrots plain yogurt with blueberries and strawberry sauce. So yummy!

Bloomingdale's teased patrons with ads for a new Forty Carrots fragrance line based on customers favorite frozen yogurt flavors, including Original Tart, Chocolate, Coffee and Peanut Butter.

Copy that read, "Get your favorite frozen yogurt 24/7 with our creamy new fragrances that smell like your favorite flavors," appeared on social media, Bloomingdales.com and in a New York Times ad as follows:

There are probably a lot of people out there who would want to wear these faux fragrances!

A lot of people would no doubt be interested in wearing those flavors, and to assuage any disappointment, the retailer is offering one free topping on your frozen yogurt when you visit any Forty Carrots restaurant, April 1 to 3, while supplies last. Just mention "April Fools."

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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.

Inside Bloomingdale’s Hawaii opening gala

Marco Garcia photos / Getty Images for Bloomingdale's
Bloomingdale's celebrated its Honolulu grand opening in style with a VIP party and Rockettes-style greeting Nov. 11 at Ala Moana Center. Bloomingdale's executive vice president for creative services Jack Hruska, center, stands with Rockette's inspired greeters.

BY NADINE KAM

Bloomingdale’s celebrated its Honolulu grand opening in style with a VIP party and Rockettes-style greeting Nov. 11 at Ala Moana Center. Bloomingdale’s executive vice president for creative services Jack Hruska, center, stands with Rockette’s inspired greeters.

I was lucky to be the first one in the store, warning gatekeepers to avoid getting trampled. In addition to the eyeful of the store itself, guests found themselves greeted by leggy models in Rockettes-inspired tuxedo jackets, with leotards and top hats, as well as waiters bearing cocktails.

In town for the occasion were Bloomingdale’s chairman and CEO Tony Spring; executive vice president, ceative services Jack Hruska; the store’s vice president and general manager Carolyn Edward; and “American Idol’s” Colby Benson.

The initially limited guest list swelled to 900, but due to the spaciousness of the store, it was easy and comfortable to mill around and view all the merchandise.

Most packed was the second-floor Aloha Room, destined to become a gathering place for special events, where chef Roy Yamaguchi was serving up caviar on mini cream cheese blinis.

Scattered elsewhere over the store’s three levels were drink and food stations featuring small bites from Ed Kenny (Town), Chai Chaowasaree (Chef Chai, Chai’s Waikiki), Chris Kajioka (the upcoming CK restaurant); Lee Anne Wong (Koko Head Café, Hale Ohuna); and guests did not leave without a “Tiny Brown Bag” of sweet treats from Michelle Karr-Ueoka (MW Restaurant).

To mark their entry to the local scene, Bloomingdale’s also made donations to 10 local-based organizations: Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum, Boys & Girls Club of Hawaii, Friends of Iolani Palace, Honolulu Museum of Art, Honolulu Theatre for Youth, Joyful Heart Foundation, Kapi’olani Health Foundation, Kōkua Hawai’i Foundation, Nā Kama Kai and the Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation.

Nadine Kam photos
Guests were presented with kukui nut lei, in Bloomingdale’s signature black-and-white, as they walked through the doors.

Just past the greeters, cocktails awaited, and there were more options upstairs such as the En Vogue cucumber and pink sugar martini, below.

Among the stylish guests were Marissa MacNaughton in Fendi, with Ian MacNaughtton in Kiton with Brioni shirt.

Dr. Shim Ching, center, with his wife Candice, left, in Pucci, and Marisa Gey, in Versace.

Small bites ranged from chef Roy Yamaguchi's caviar over cream cheese blinis and Madeira creme fraiche, to below, chef Chai Chaowasaree's festive somen.

 

Marco Garcia photos / Getty images for Bloomingdale's
Chef Lee Anne Wong show off her dish of smoked nairogi profiteroles, below. So yummy that I had two!

From left, Bloomingdale's executive vice president for creative services Jack Hruska, company chairman and CEO Tony Spring, and executive vice president/drector of stores Charles Anderson.

Guests received Tiny Brown Bags, a takeoff on Bloomingdale's signature brown shopping bag, filled with baked goodies from MW restaurant.

Nadine Kam photos
Town’s New York-meets-Hawaii bites were Delmono pulehu steak and lup cheong Madeleines.

Chef Chris Kajioka's nod to the Big Apple was a fall squash "Everything Bagel" risotto with the flavor of green apples.

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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.

Ward Village Shops get crafty

Nadine Kam photos
Local artisans take turns sharing their crafts during workshops and classes at a handful of Ward Village boutiques. At MORI by Art+Flea, Luna Amante is among local small businesses offering workshops, in this case utilizing succulents and air plants for home decor.

BY NADINE KAM

This is the season when we start thinking about holiday gifts or making time to spend with family and friends.

Art and craft classes are one way to achieve both aims in a fun way. Ward Village Shops recently hosted a media tour to introduce shops that offer classes for those who enjoy learning new skills and the D.I.Y. lifestyle.

Trust me, most reporters do what they do because they’re better at working with ideas than working with their hands. Yet, we were able to turn out some beautiful ceramics, scarves, mini cactus decor and lau hala ornament in an hour’s time thanks to patient instructors.

Here are some shops to check out:

Registration is being taken for indigo dye workshops at CHAI Studio. The next session involves coloring a slip dress. At right, a sample textile showing the result of the Japanese Itajime shibori, or shape-resist technique, using metal discs to form the resist polka-dot pattern on a field of indigo blue.

CHAI Studio: This design emporium offers “ideas for an inspired lifestyle,” from home furnishings, bedding and textiles, to internationally sourced jewelry, gifts and accessories. Its DIY Studio is open to creator workshops, with the next coming up 11 a.m. Nov. 22. It will have participants using indigo to dye a loose, casual slip dress. The fee is $108. To learn more or reserve a space, call 536-4543 or visit www.chai-studio.com.

If you can blow bubbles, you can paint at Clay Cafe Hawaii. The bubbles overflow onto your ceramic plate.

After being popped, the bubbles leave their outline behind to form beautiful abstract patterns.

Clay Cafe Hawaii: Release your inner Picasso via pottery painting sessions. Even if you have zero ability to draw, instructors have ways to fight artist’s block. Because there’s nothing worse than facing a blank plate with no idea where to begin, they showed us a simple technique involving blowing soap-and-paint-mixed bubbles onto a plate to create organic abstract imagery.

It’s a great way to spend an afternoon and if there are a lot of kids in your extended family, you could organize a two-hour children’s party with a minimum of eight painters (maximum 40), and minimum of $12 per piece per painter.

Call 589-1808 or visit claycafehawaii.com for more information.

At MORI by Art+Flea, Luna Amante shared materials for created mini cactus planter.

MORI by Art+Flea: What started as a pop-up urban marketplace showcasing local makers has expanded to a permanent retail space that hosts workshops showcasing the skills of its vendors. You might find Chad Watanabe of engiNERDart (enginerdart.com) offering a woodblock print class for personalized holiday cards, or Yayoi Nishitani of Luna Amante showing how to create a succulent garden or ornament.

Luna Amante’s next workshop, Geometric Airplant Ornaments, will take place noon to 3 p.m. Nov. 15. The class fee is $60 for three ornaments. Visit lunaamante.com for more information and updated listings.

At Na Mea, we wove a lau hala fish ornament, no easy task! Those with a knack for weaving can graduate to more advanced hat-making classes. Many more Native Hawaiian arts classes are available.

Na Mea Hawaii: A longtime specialist in Native Hawaiian books, arts, jewelry and apparel, Na Mea offers workshops as part of its mission to perpetuate and encourage appreciation of Hawaiian culture. During our session, we wove a fish-shaped lau hala tree ornament.

For those of us with three thumbs, this was no easy task, but instructors are patient, working with us one-on-one, even helping to wrap the lau hala around clumsy fingers.

It’s just a first step to one day making fine, ornate hats. When you get to that point, there is a Lau Hala Weaving Hui support group to lend their expertise.

You can always check the store’s website for an online calender detailing classes, including flower and haku lei making, Niihau shell make-and-take, language sessions and more. There is a different cost for each activity, listed at nameahawaii.com. Call 596-8885.
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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.

Bloomingdale's Ala Moana sets Nov. 12 opening date

Bloomingdale's graphic
A rendering of the Bloomingdale’s store set to open in the Ala Moana Center Ewa Wing in November.

BY NADINE KAM

Bloomingdale’s has an opening date for its Hawaii store, set to open at Ala Moana Center Nov. 12, 2015.

The three-level, 165,000 square-foot store will offer an extensive roster of brands, many exclusive to Bloomingdale’s Ala Moana, and a curated assortment of luxury goods for women, men, children and home.

And those who need a moment to recharge will be able to find refreshment and sustenance at the 40 Carrots restaurant.

Among local to luxury brands carried will be Armani Collezioni, Boutique Moschino, Cami & Jax, Chloe, Ferragamo, Frette bedding, Gucci, Max Mara, Rebecca Taylor, Sandro, Shinola, Tidal, Bloomingdale’s exclusive ready-to-wear line AQUA, and many more. A treat station will offer local goodies from Honolulu Cookie Co., Sea Salts of Hawaii, Big Island Bees, Honolulu Coffee Co., and more.

The company will be supporting to-be-announced local charities in celebration of the Ala Moana Center opening and beyond.

To celebrate the opening of Bloomingdale’s Ala Moana, more than 300 fashion-packed events will be taking place during the opening months. Follow @bloomingdales on social media for updates.
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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.

Ala Moana Center announces new tenants

Photo courtesy Ted Baker
Ted Baker London is among the retailers coming to Ala Moana Center’s Ewa Wing.

I’m excited to see the rundown of new shops and restaurants coming to Ala Moana Center when the Ewa Wing is completed — tentatively late this year, just in time for Christmas.

Construction is moving quickly, and I noticed Wednesday morning that they have torn down my favorite access point on Ala Moana Boulevard: the ramp heading toward Longhi’s and Morton’s. If you’re heading down there, plan accordingly.
The expanded three-level shopping area will eventually feature 650,000 square feet of new retail space, including a 167,000 square-foot Bloomingdale’s store. Nordstrom will also move into the Ewa Wing in March 2016.

Here’s a list of what’s coming; some of the brands are already represented elsewhere in town. I’m particularly excited to see newcomer Ted Baker London. Love the brand’s retro, ladylike-with-an-edge style.

» Aqua Blu: Offers high-end versatile bags perfect for jetsetters on the go. Each bag is designed to be practical, fashionable, light and functional.

» The Art of Shaving: Presents a collection of grooming essentials, including shaving sets, razors, shaving brushes, and shaving products made with quality ingredients and 100 percent pure essential oils to help men achieve healthier, smoother skin.

» BOSS Hugo Boss: Line of sophisticated clothing for men and women, ranging from tuxedos and evening gowns, to club wear and casual styles.

» Calypso St. Barth: The boutique captures the romance of travel and a languid luxurious lifestyle, with the leisure looks of dip-dyed caftans, cashmere cardigans and other luxe bohemian delights.

» David Yurman: The brand is known for fine jewelry and luxury timepieces capturing the essence of relaxed American luxury.

» The D Shop – Desigual: The Barcelona-based brand is characterized by its distinctive, colorful prints and casual designs for women, men and kids.

» Gloria Jean’s Coffees: Single origin and flavored beans, and the latest in coffee accessories will create a modern, elevated coffee and food experience.

» Laline: “Body meets soul” with this bath and body care line. Laline combines the best of nature and science, sourcing essential oils and scents from Provence, and mineral salts from the Dead Sea to help improve skin.

» Pierre Marcolini: The chocolatier makes his own couverture chocolate using cacao beans sourced from Mexico, Madagascar, Venezuela and more exotic locales, resulting in luxury craft chocolates and sweets.

» Ted Baker London: The menswear and womenswear brand is loved for its quality and distinctive use of design and colour, plus attention to detail. Traditional and contemporary influences with a dose of irreverent sense of humour capture a quintessential British attitude.

» Tempura Ichidai: The second offering from Pierthirty USA, Inc., will feature a fresh tempura bar allowing patrons to choose from a variety of tempura items.

» Longines: Known for its rich heritage and winged hourglass logo, Longines brings its 180 years of watchmaking expertise to elegant, high-performance timepieces.

» Moncler: Travelers swear by Moncler’s stylish, technologically advanced apparel and outerwear providing warmth and go anywhere lightness.
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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.

There's plenty to love at Nomads Hawaii boutique

Nadine Kam photos
In searching for one of the newspaper’s “5 Things We Love,” I bought this marble box inlaid with lapis lazuli, malachite, carnelian and other semi-precious stones, from Nomads Hawaii.


Blame it on Doris Duke. You can’t walk away from her Shangri La estate without gaining an appreciation of Islamic arts and the beautiful fixtures and furnishings in her home, drawing from her international travels.

After visiting her newly opened Mughal Suite at Shangri La last year, I fell in love with her marble bath inlaid with floral studies comprising semi-precious stones.

Well, I can’t afford a room of marble, but on a visit to Nandini Bhattacharjee’s Nomads Hawaii boutique in Kailua, I recognized the work in inlaid vases and boxes from India, and could afford one of the boxes, now about $117, a 50 percent markdown.

Bhattacharjee traveled the world and brought back the things she loved to share with the rest of us.
Offered are clothing, jewelry and housewares including batiks sarongs (about $28) from Indonesia and handmade bedding from India.

One shelf is devoted to international Fair Trade items made by adult workers who are paid fair wages in safe working conditions, provided with education and healthcare, and using eco-friendly practices.

Nomads Hawaii is at 131 Hekili St., Suite 112, in Kailua. Call 261-6677.

I could only feature a few objects in the paper, here are a few more:

These are two images I captured last year while writing a story on the opening of Doris Duke’s Shangri La Mughal Suite, the heiress’ private quarters with adjoining wall-to-wall marble bath.

Another inlaid marble vase from Nomads Hawaii.

At Nomads Hawaii, these handmade stuffed toys from Africa have individual names.

 Handpainted egg cups from India. This set of three is $18.

Umbra Zoola ring holders and cardholders, $12 each.

Carved wood elephant candle holder from India.

Kokeshi-style figures made in Indonesia.
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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.

Anthropologie opens its doors at Ala Moana Center

Nadine Kam photos
Anthropologie opened its doors with a private shopping event Jan. 31. The “Aloha” was spelled out with paper cocktail umbrellas, which you can see up close in a photo at the bottom of this post.

Anthropologie celebrated its grand opening from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday night with a private shopping event, with 10 percent of proceeds benefitting the Honolulu Museum of Art.

It should be a windfall for the museum because it looked like everyone was shopping. I was told there were 300 guests but it felt like a lot more because there were lines for cocktails, lines for the dressing rooms, and lines at the cashier.

Good luck when it opens at 10 in the morning.

There were a lot of cute clothes perfectly suited for Hawaii’s resort, casual chic and boho aesthetic, and I was especially happy to see 1,000 out of the store’s 5,000 square feet devoted to petites, an underserved market here. Even so, jumpsuits and maxis were longer than they should be, and sales associates showed how to knot the hems to get them to “fit” better. A cute look, but something we want to do as a sometime option, not a requirement.

Ahem, designers, 5 feet shouldn’t be the measure of a garment for a shortie when you take our heads into account!

Here’s a look around the store, located on the third floor, next to Emporio Armani:

The start of the line at 5:30 p.m.

Indigo and tunics in the 1,000 square foot petite section.

Beading detail on a Hawaii exclusive maxi dress in the petite section.

Marylea Conrad, right, gets help in the petite section from Donna Lum. Behind her is another Hawaii exclusive maxi with some fabulous textured ribbon detail.

 Anthropologie home style.

A few items for the kitchen …

… And the bath.

Jackie Walden tries on a hat. I later stood next to her in the cashier line, but even after paying for some items, I saw her shopping again.

Drawer pulls for every taste.

Some like it bare.

In the window.

The “Aloha” in the window was spelled out with paper cocktail umbrellas.
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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.