Hermès celebrates 'Hearts and Crafts'

Nadine Kam photos
Curtains rose after the screening of the Hermès documentary "Hearts and Crafts: The People That Make Hermès," Oct. 18 at Hawaii Theatre Center, revealing the stage beautifully lighted and set with white linen tables and white floral arrangements.

In the season of film festivals, Hermès hosted a screening of filmmaker Frédéric Laffont and Isabelle Dupuy-Chavanat's Hermès 47-minute documentary "Hearts and Crafts: The People That Make Hermès," on Oct. 18 at Hawaii Theatre Center.

Going behind-the-scenes at the luxury fashion house, the filmmakers celebrate craftsmanship by focusing, not on the glam and celebrity driven aspects of luxury branding, but on the many artisans from whose passion and nimble handiwork springs individual works of art, emphasizing that because of the handwork, no two pieces are alike.

The filmmakers interviewed saddlers, crystal and glass makers, metalsmiths and the artists behind the house scarf designs.

The cover of the invitation to the screening of the Hermès documentary "Hearts and Crafts: The People That Make Hermès," that took place Oct. 18 at Hawaii Theatre Center.

Maybe because of the work I do, it was the graphic artists' work that I found most intriguing because of their ability to visualize, in black-and-white, the multiple layers of color that go into a single design. A single scarf can comprise up to 42 colors, each mixed by hand to the artists' specifications, just for that piece.

Although the process has been described to me over the years, and having gravitated to the printmaking facilities of the Honolulu Academy of Arts, I understand the process, it is still amazing to see it all come together before one's eyes. It is all the more amazing when one considers that in newsprint, all our colors spring from a basic four: magenta, cyan, yellow and black!

In welcoming Hermès to the theater, Hawaii Theatre Center president Sarah Richard noted that their organizations have much in common in promoting the arts, and that the theater itself was the work of many craftsmen and artists, both historically and in the renovations that have restored much of its original glory.

From studying Hermès windows over time, I think of them of masters of the tableau and I think all in the audience were left breathless when, after the film, the curtains rose to reveal a stage set with tables, chandeliers, bouquets of white flowers and a mini bar for an on-stage reception. It was beautiful, and considering what we had just seen, an artful way to end the evening.

Donna Hodnefield, managing director of Hermès, Ala Moana Center, at lower left, welcomed Catherine Lin, and in the back row James Schaeffer of Harry Winston, Buddy Moore, Sean Lee Combs and Ashli Sower.

Tyler Boe, special events coordinator at Hermès of Paris, left, and Julie Vigneulle, special events manager, were in town for a few days to introduce the "Hearts and Crafts" film."

I liked the Hermès Twilly Tyler was wearing as a bracelet.

Among the guests were, from left, Annette Dung, Kristina Lee, Chun Hui Chen, Jeff Lee, Darah Dung and Denby Dung. Only daughter/sister Dana-Li Dung was missing.

Guests David and Lillian Yeh.

Sarah Richards and Elaine Evans, respectively the president and director of development for Hawaii Theatre Center.

An Hermès-inspired afternoon

Nadine Kam photos
Hermès CEO Robert Chavez with Tiana and Nobuhide Torii.

Tiana Torii hosted an intimate luncheon at her home April 2, welcoming friends including Hermès CEO Robert Chavez, who's been a friend of hers ever since he joined the company a decade ago. Based in New York, he tries to visit the islands twice a year, as well as other boutique locales around the world.

A humble and low-key gentleman, he said he's sometimes mistaken for a sales associate in the stores, but like TV's "Undercover Bosses," it gives him a good idea of clientele's wishes and concerns.

As always, no detail was overlooked. The table was dressed with gold and silver placemats, with flowers in pinks and oranges, reflecting Hermès signature box color. Afterward, I was wondering how the orange came to be, and a quick Internet search led me to the Contessanally blog, where the orange was attributed to the only color of paperboard available during World War II scarcity. Maybe someone from Hermès will be able to confirm the story.

Limited-edition Hermès scarves were hung over the living room from second-floor balconies.

To add to the color of the afternoon, Tiana also managed to string up some of her own Hermès scarves, hanging like banners over her living room. She tried to explain how it was done, but I have such a lack of mechanical skill that my mind was boggled. It somehow involved pitching the string-fastened scarves across the room and hoisting.

The scarves she chose had particular significance because they were all limited editions, including two aloha scarves, one created for the opening of the Ala Moana Center Hermès boutique and one commemorating the Hawaii World Festival. There was also a United Nations scarf and the Bolduc au Carre, that is a signature of the luxury brand.

With lunch prepared by Le Bistro chef Alan Takasaki and his staff, it was a beautiful, relaxed way to spend a Saturday afternoon. What a treat!

The Toriis' giant yellow Bearbrick had a limited edition Waikiki twilly tied around his wrist while carrying the limited edition Picotin bag from the Waikiki Hermès opening, as well as a classic orange Birkin (30 cm).

Chef Alan Takasaki of Le Bistro created a luxurious meal that started with several appetizers before guests were seated. It was so food intense, I didn't know at the time whether to write about it on this blog or Take A Bite. Most events easily fit one category or the other, but Tiana understood the quandary. Noting that I write about food and fashion, she said, "I have both!"

Lunch guests Charlyn Honda Masini, left, and Tammy Browning, with goodie bags from Hermès, bearing catalogs, a scarf-tying guide and sweets.

Guests Kristi Komeya, left, and Joyce Aoki.

Nobu at the table, with flowers, below.

We thought the four-hour lunch was over with the arrival of white and pink macarons, but the real dessert of a Gianduja chocolate souffle was still to come. By that time, most of us had to leave, but about half of us decided we couldn't let those gold-leafed soufflés go to waste. They were definitely worth the time. We could have easily enjoyed two apiece, but I think just one would break anyone's diet for the week.

Another Bearbrick held the Japan flag in solidarity with our sister nation.

Window shopping

Nadine Kam photos
Love the new window display at Hermes, Ala Moana Center.

How many times have you walked past a store window and stopped in your tracks, compelled to walk in because of something you saw there?

The cost of advertising is high, but in windows, boutiques have a built-in venue, so I've often wondered why retailers don't make better use of their windows. It's an artform that should be treated as such.

What triggered these thoughts was the current window display at Hermes, Ala Moana Center, which beautifully pays homage to the house's carriage, saddlery, leather and scarf traditions. Love it!