Collections of Waikiki stages best stylist challenge

Nadine Kam photos
From left, Meleana Estes, Tara Michie and Nova Rizzo competed for the title of Honolulu’s Best Stylist during a competition at Royal Hawaiian Hotel.

BY NADINE KAM

Before the runway shows at the Hawai’i Convention Center, Honolulu Fashion Week kicked off Nov. 19 with “Honolulu’s Best Stylist” challenge at Royal Hawaiian Hotel, a Luxury Collection Resort.

The Nov. 19 event took place in the open-air setting of the Coconut Grove, with three Honolulu-based stylists presenting looks in three categories: swim, island casual and evening resort wear, pulled from The Collections of Waikiki shops.

During the Swim segment of the competition, Haylee Kam—dressed in 1930s glam style by Nova Rizzo—modeled a one-piece swimsuit from San Lorenzo, Vivienne Westwood head scarf and sunglasses, Stupid Facotry bangles, and more jewelry from Maui Divers, Petit at The Royal and Hau’oli Waikiki.

The competing sylists:
—Nova Rizzo: Bblogger and founder of the96815.com
—Tara Michie: Creator and founder of LadySlider.com
—Meleana Estes: Freelance stylist and designer of Meleana Handbags


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Angela Maki Vernon and Jered Branco, manager of the Vivienne Westwood boutique at the Moana Hotel, were the emcees of the fashion show, which was sped up when the first of the weekend’s rains began.

That didn’t dampen the afternoon for Meleanna, who walked away with the title and grand prize of a three-night stay at the Royal Hawaiian.

Congratulations Mele!

Coincidentally, for a look at Meleanna’s collab with Bliss Lau during the finale of the Honolulu Fashion Week “Get OUt” runway show, visit here.

Models and stylists shared the stage before Meleana Estes, at right, was named the competition’s winner.

Estes with her model Mahina and event emcees Angela Maki Vernon and Jered Branco.

 Emma Wo goes island casual in this look styled by Tara Michie, comprising a Mikoh swimsuit and Acacia skirt from REBECCA Beach and Avanti aloha shirt. The ukulele is from Ukulele Puapua.

Mahina Alexander wears a T-Bags dress and gold sharkthooth hoops available at Malie Organics, and paired with mother-of-pearl horn clutch from Accents, a gold coutout diamond cuff from Abiste, and gold shell pendant from Sand People for an evening resort look styled by Meleana Estes.

With Erykah Badu as her muse, Tara Michie dressed Emma Wo in a Mikoh maxi dress and white scarf available at REBECCA Beach, accessorized with jewelry from Royal Selection, Martin & MacArthur, Accents and Maui Divers, plus Mary Frances clutch from Abiste.

In this ensemble styled by Nova Rizzo, Roycen Dehmer wears a mix of Reyn Spooner and Vivienne Westwood pieces, and carries a Rimowa briefcase.

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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 Ewa Wing opens

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BY NADINE KAM

If you couldn’t be at the grand opening of Ala Moana Center’s Ewa Expansion wing Nov. 12, and the opening of 30 new boutiques, take a look at the video above. I’d guess about 5,000 people were waiting to see what the space looks like after enduring months of a painful parking situation and barricades.

Nadine Kam photos
The curious lined up for a first bite from Magnolia Bakery and Cafe. Those in back waited more than two hours.

At Nitrogenie, ice cream lovers had a taste of Hawaii's first liquid nitrogen ice cream shop, with batches frozen fresh on the spot.

Shoppers at Bloomingdale’s seemed to be in a daze as they took in the sights.

Many of the stores mannequins are dressed for the holidays, and clothing is labeled so shoppers can locate desired pieces quickly on the floor.

The new wing is beautiful and in two hours, I only had time to stop into Magnolia Bakery and Cafe, Nitrogenie and Bloomingdale’s. I will definitely be back over the weekend to check out the 30-plus stores that have opened and check out the fashion shows at CenterStage.

Here’s the weekend's fashion show calendar:

NOV. 14
» Noon: St. John
» 1 p.m.: Bloomingdale’s
» 2 p.m.: Ted Baker London
» 3 p.m.: Nordstrom
» 4 p.m.: BOSS Hugo Boss
» 5 p.m.: Banana Republic

NOV. 15
» Noon: Macy’s
» 1 p.m.: Spiral Girl
» 2 p.m.: Desigual
» 3 p.m.: SwimSpot
» 4 p.m.: Pepsi-inspired garments designed by the students of Honolulu Community College’s Fashion Technology Program

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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.