A new look for Koi at Royal Hawaiian Center

Nadine Kam photos
Lance Rae was the winner of a hot pink Philipp Plein clutch at the grand opening of the Koi Honolulu boutique at Royal Hawaiian Center.

Koi Honolulu celebrated its grand opening Tuesday at Royal Hawaiian Center with a mini fashion show and prize giveaways.

A trio of men walked away with much coveted women’s accessories and jewelry from Philipp Plein and Chan Luu, among the exclusive brands carried by the boutique that was previously known as Koi Boutique, a much smaller shop within the center.

Owner Kyong Chang’s aim in 2008 was to bring unique and exclusive designs to Honolulu, and the expansion into the larger 2,200 square-foot space would suggest she’s succeeded.

Although the original store’s dark and edgy, rock ‘n’ roll-inspired mix initially drew Japan visitors to shop, Chang said the shop now attracts international, as well as local traffic.

The new store has a more spare, luxe feel than the former space.

Momoko Metzger and Angelo Bruno walked the runway during a mini fashion show that was a highlight of the event.

Owner Kyong Chang says the move includes expanding the store’s product lines to cater to a larger audience. “Many of these lines are popular overseas, and we hope to establish a ‘bridge’ with Europe to bring the latest fashion to Hawaii.”

Within the boutique space, she’s managed to create what amounts to a mini casual, but upscale department store stocked with clothing, bags, shoes, fashion and fine jewelry, and other accessories.

Brands currently offered include Andrea D’Amico, Bark, Chan Luu, Cruciani, The Editor, Franco Ferrari, HTC (Hollywood Trading Co.), Hydrogen, Jerome Dreyfuss, Louis Leeman, Luis Morais, M. Cohen, Orlebar Brown, Orobianco, Philipp Plein, Phonz Says Black, PRPS, PT05, Santa Maria Novella & LAFCO, Siwy, Sydney Evan, Victoria Beckham, and Zoe Karssen.

Where the smaller store had a claustrophobic vibe with so many items crammed in, the new store is spacious, well-lighted and spare in its approach to merchandising, so items are easy to find and see.

Of course, when you can see everything, you tend to want everything!


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It was at the original Koi Boutique that I picked up a lasting obsession with Chan Luu’s wrap bracelets. I also love the designer’s luxe boho clothing, also carried at Koi Honolulu.

Dressed head to toe in a maxi dress and jewelry carried by Koi Honolulu.

Prize drawing winners Taiki Nakamura, left, and John Garcia, show off their prizes, a Philipp Plein skull-and-bones crossbody bag and Chan Luu bracelet, respectively.

Young Leila only had eyes, and hands, for mommy Nani Hirosane’s Kate Spade necklace.

Among the store’s unique product offerings is Santa Maria Novella’s potpourri, handmade with herbs and flowers grown without pesticides in the Florentine hills, based on the original recipes of Dominican friars who founded the pharmacy in 1221.
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Koi Honolulu is on the ground level of the Royal Hawaiian Center, 2233 Kalakaua Ave. Open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Call 808.922.4532 or visit koiboutiquewaikiki.com. One hour of free parking is offered with validation for a $10 minimum purchase.

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Nadine Kam is Style Editor and staff restaurant critic at the Honolulu Star-Advertiser; her coverage in print on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Contact her via email at nkam@staradvertiser.com and follow her on Twitter, Instagram and Rebel Mouse.

Gillia previews Fall 2014 'Yamato Nadeshiko' collection

Nadine Kam photos
Gillia designer Saori Santos, left, previewed her Fall 2014 "Yamato Nadeshiko" collection during a fashion show at the June 21 Honolulu Night Market. With her is sales Mayo Kawamura and Kawamura's son Noah.

Gillia presented its Fall 2014 “Yamato Nadeshiko” collection during the June 21 Honolulu Night Market in Kaka’ako.

Japan-born designer Saori Santos has been known in recent years for her playful resort collections in bright tropical colors, but has toned her palette down for fall as befitting the collection that takes its name from an old Japanese term describing the grace and beauty of Japanese women.

The result is a sublime womanly and romantic collection of designs featuring delicate floral prints, with sheer and flowing garments that gently floated with the evening’s soft breezes.

There’s no doubt the garments would have been snatched up on the spot if they were being offered for sale, but women will have to wait for the collection’s fall arrival between September and October.


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Below are a couple of screen grabs from my video, in case you don’t have time to watch the whole thing, though I think it’s always best to see how a garment moves:

From left, stylist Tiare Thomas (with her social media pooch @WhiskeyTheFrenchie), Nikki Nguyen and model/photographer Daniela Voicescu said they were noting each piece they wanted as it came down the runway, and it all added up to a lengthy wish list. 

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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.

Showing skin at Love Renaissance

Nadine Kam photos
From left, Nina Thai, Ritsuko Kukonu and Makamae Kahawai show some of Love Renaissance's products.

There was no sleep, just a lot of laughter, zaps and suds when Love Renaissance decided to host a girls night out “slumber party” to introduce new products.

The beautification ritual is not a pretty sight, and while I’m loathe to go bare-faced in public, Waikiki magazine editor Sarah Honda and I were the first to try the photofacial device promising tauter, glowing skin. Off came the makeup and by evening’s end, even those who at first refused to remove makeup that took much effort to put on were washing their face not once, but twice, to try the various product lines. As one guest put it, “I don’t care anymore.”

Never mind that many of the evening’s photos would end up plastered across several social media platforms!

There were a lot of kabuki faces in the crowd as guests cleaned up with Xtrue 10 PM Foam.

The photofacial machine gave us a good zap with every push of a button. If you've ever had an IPL, or Intense Pulsed Light treatment, that's what it felt like, a jolt of heat and slight sting.

The product lines sampled ranged from the beginner’s Swaness, so named to turn ugly young ducklings into beautiful swans, up through the top-of-the-line Verdi series for more serious facial woes.

Gisele Zelauy was the ringleader for the event, bringing her infectious joie de vivre to the evening of facials, skin treats and sweet treats that included Le Tour Cafe macarons and some of the best chocolates in the world.

Gisele being Gisele.

Sitting on a shelf were dozens of Gisele's modeling photos, singing the praises of Love Renaissance products. Since using the products, she said her skin is so good she wears no face makeup, only eye makeup.

Among of her pearls of wisdom: “If you don’t like what you see in the mirror, look somewhere else.”

“Create the mise en scene; change your lighting, don’t obsess over every spot.”

In other words, don’t take beauty so seriously. The right products can improve the look of our skin, but none of us can hope for airbrushed perfection. She said that if she worried about the size of her nose, she never would have become a model.

Her energy and enthusiasm made it clear why Karl Lagerfeld chose her as muse for Maison Chanel, and the vivacious Brazilian proudly proclaims herself “the original Gisele from Brazil.”

Modern men know they have to keep up with women and were game to try the photofacial device.

We were all squeaky clean by evening's end.

 There were a lot of sweet bites including chocolates, cupcakes and macarons.

Both men and women took turns zapping their skin into shape with photo facials. Maybe women are more accustomed to such treatment, because they took it in stride, while men jumped with early zaps, mentioning it was particularly painful in facial hair areas.

It was entertaining watching the men, who were so random in their approach, compared to women who are very methodical about covering every centimeter of skin.

The party was timed to get us all out the door by 9 p.m. so we could get a good night’s sleep, because sleep is one of the best weapons for fighting signs of aging. And, it’s free.
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Love Renaissance is in the Royal Hawaiian Center, 2201 Kalakaua Ave., Building C, ground level. Call 808.923.0991.

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Nadine Kam is Style Editor and staff restaurant critic at the Honolulu Star-Advertiser; her coverage in print on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Contact her via email at nkam@staradvertiser.com and follow her on Twitter, Instagram and Rebel Mouse.

M33Ms launches YWCA pendants

Photos courtesy M33Ms
New jewelry designs by M33Ms Emiko Miyazawa, including this Wax Seal Medallion, will benefit YWCA of O'ahu.

M33Ms Designs Emiko Miyazawa unveiled her newest collection of pendants designed exclusively for the YWCA of O‘ahu on June 25.

Inspired by YWCA Laniākea pioneering architect Julia Morgan’s work and the women of the YWCA, the designer has created two exclusive pendants for the organization. Proceeds from pendant sales will benefit YWCA of O‘ahu community programs.

Detail of Wax Seal Medallion pendant.

Sterling silver Tri Pendant, shown with other designs by M33Ms designer Emiko Miyazawa.

The designer approaches each piece as a wearable piece of art, drawing inspiration from
her eclectic array of interests, from architecture and industrial hardware to nature, Art Deco and Art Nouveau. The meshing of Japanese and American cultures is another constant
influence, seen in a juxtaposition of clean lines and elegant restraint, with a sense of
boldness and edge.

Miyazawa’s Wax Seal Medallion is a sterling silver necklace that can be worn at two different lengths. The flower chosen for the pendant can be seen on the carved entrance doors at Laniākea. Miyazawa said she felt it was symbolic of the YWCA women, who protect, empower and welcome with open arms. The medallions are one of a kind, individually hand-stamped and made so no two are the same.

The handmade YWCA of O‘ahu solid silver Tri Pendant design was chosen because it echoes the columns in Laniākea’s open-air courtyard. Every piece is handmade and hand-stamped with YWCA, and hangs on an 18-inch sterling silver bead chain.

The pendants start at $100.
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Nadine Kam is Style Editor and staff restaurant critic at the Honolulu Star-Advertiser; her coverage in print on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Contact her via email at nkam@staradvertiser.com and follow her on Twitter, Instagram and Rebel Mouse.

The Cut Collective hosts White Hot Summer sale

The Cut Collective is hosting an end of the month sale from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 28 at its offices at the Manoa Innovation Center, 2800 Woodlawn Drive.

Up for grabs during the White Hot Summer Sale will be tops, shorts and coverups by Allison Izu, joined by Ten Tomorrow, Rumi Murakami and brand company Plan Z.

You’ll also scoop up a free tote or cosmetic pouch, while supplies, last, with purchases of $100 or more.

The Cut Collective will also be participating in two events in July:

July 5: Mo’ili’ili Summer Fest, 5 to 10:30 p.m. in the old Varsity Theatre parking lot at 1100 University Ave.

July 6: Arts and Flavors, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Hawaii Kai Retirement Community, 428 Kawaihae St.
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Nadine Kam is Style Editor and staff restaurant critic at the Honolulu Star-Advertiser; her coverage in print on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Contact her via email at nkam@staradvertiser.com and follow her on Twitter, Instagram and Rebel Mouse.

REDValentino now open at Ala Moana Center

Nadine Kam photos
I couldn't resist trying on this fun Hans Christian Anderson and Björk 2001-inspired fuzzy faille swn coat with a tiara-embellshed envelope clutch during the grand opening of the REDValentino boutique at Aa Moana Center. The cost is $1,095.

REDValentino opened its first boutique in Hawaii at Ala Moana Center June 4, continuing the celebration of its arrival with three in-store events taking place on Saturday, June 14 and 21, with light bites and music by DJ MixMaster Benhur.

The new boutique is on Level 2 of the center, next door to the Apple store.

I’m a big fan of the brand because of its romantic, playful spirit and sense of whimsy. Many pieces incorporate Valentino’s signature bow. It’s the kind of brand for those who peer at the world through rose-colored glasses, inhabiting a parallel world in which dreams trump reality.

It’s very pretty and feminine, though what you’ll see in the boutique now is a little more tomboyish, with sweatshirt-style tops, tempered by flounce skirts of tulle.

There’s always a sense of the unexpected coming from REDValentino and I was so charmed by a fuzzy faille coat paying homage to Hans Christian Andersen and Icelandic singer Björk’s iconic swan dress from the 2001 Academy Awards. Something to think about for winter! Right now, I’m eyeing the summer dresses that were worn by store manager Angie Zhang and director of retail Jane Moon, and can’t wait until the arrival of fall’s Snow White-inspired pieces.
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Nadine Kam is Style Editor and staff restaurant critic at the Honolulu Star-Advertiser; her coverage in print on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Contact her via email at nkam@staradvertiser.com and follow her on Twitter, Instagram and Rebel Mouse.

 Björk was ribbed mercilessly for wearing this swan dress to the 2001 Academy Awards. Today, it ranks as the 9th most iconic Oscar dress, according to Wikipedia. It's unforgettable.

This REDValentino leopard-look coat has heart-shaped spots.

Sweatshirt-style knits fill the store.

The new boutique is next door to the Apple store at Ala Moana Center. The store was blessed by Rev. Ronald F. Ching.

From left, boutique manager Angie Zhang, stylist Tyson Joines, attending as a guest, and boutique assistant manager Natassha Pablo.

Returing to the isles for the opening was Cali-based director of retail Jane Moon, right, with Natassha.

A swan tote.

A closer look at the tiara design clutch.

Can't wait for fall's Snow White- and fairytale-inspired collection to arrive.

Tea and talk story with Nake'u Awai

Nadine Kam photos
Linda Lee was the guest designer at Nake'u Awai's June 1 "Tea and Talk Story" weekly event at Na Mea Hawaii/Native Books.

For three years, designer “Nake’u Awai” has hosted Tea and Talk Story sessions from 10 to 11:30 a.m. every Sunday at Na Mea Hawai’i/Native Books at Ward Warehouse.

The event features a different Hawaiian-culture guest each week, and started as his way of adding an extra dimension to his volunteer duties at the store.

“I just go through my phone book and call one of my friends, or I’ll meet someone interesting and ask, ‘Why don’t you come down and talk story?’ I never know where the conversation will go. We just start talking.

“Sometimes it’s just me and my guest, but I get the benefit because we talk about things from 20 years ago and I learn something that I didn’t know.”

Anyone is welcome to listen in while enjoying a simple tea service and a scone selection from local bakeries, at $5 per person. Guests slated to join Awai for the rest of the month are:

June 8: Lorna Pacheco, lau hala weaver
June 15: Reyna Keeaunui, kumu hula
June 22: Lelea’e, artist, actress, singer and granddaughter of feather artist Marylou Kekuewa
June 29: Brian Tolentino, ukulele player and member of Side Order Band.

This past Sunday he welcomed local Ming’s Jewelry expert Linda Lee, a collector of the jewelry pieces for about 17 years. You can read more about her collection in a story I wrote seven years ago.

As part of her informative presentation, Linda also brought in pieces by Ming's contemporaries to share with guests, such as this approximately 6-inch brooch made by Gugliemo Cini for the Waikiki Gump's store in the 1930s. Clothing was sturdier at the time to support such large pieces. 

The company was started by artist Wook and Shay Yung Moon in the early 1940s. Sterling silver and ivory pieces that would have sold to downtown Honolulu’s office workers for about $4.80 to $14.80 at the time now fetch hundreds of dollars.

One of the questions that came up was the value of signed vs. unsigned pieces. Lee said she generally has no trouble authenticating unsigned pieces which come up often because there were no rules in place in the mid-20th century, when speculation regarding collectibles was not on many individuals’ radar.

“They only had one stamp so if the stamp was in Hilo and they were working in Honolulu, they just signed it by hand.”

The handwriting varied from beautiful flourishes to jagged scrawls, depending on who was working on it.

“The signing wasn’t important then, as long as Ming’s was open.”

The last Ming’s store, on Fort Street Mall, closed its doors in 1999, and that sent patrons rushing to buy up the last remaining pieces. The advent of online buying and selling helped propel prices over the years.

In addition to the talent Mr. Moon showed in his hand-carved, hand-painted pieces, he was apparently also a superb marketer.

He dubbed junk jade that no one else wanted “water jade” to give it cachet, which gave way to the name “Moonlight Jade.” Occlusions, or flaws in the stones, were christened “clouds,” a more evocative, heavenly description that made the pieces more desirable.

No doubt he would be a contender for marketing awards if he and the business were around today!
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Na Mea Hawaii/Native Books is at Ward Warehouse, 1050 Ala Moana Boulevard. Call 596-8885 for reservations.

A tea cup and some examples of Ming's pieces, ranging from jade bangles to carved wood, and sterling silver pieces. The ivory maunaloa bracelet in the foreground was not Ming's but was made by another contemporary, John Roberts.

Isami Doi created this ivory and gold seahorse, comparable to ivory and sterling seahorses, unicorns and deer brooches he created for Ming's. The Art Deco fins suggest he may have created this particular seahorse for Gump's.

Ming's Jewelry artist and founder Wook Moon was inspired by nature to the point of creating leaves that appear to have been nibbled on by insects. 

The once ubiquitous plumeria is a classic Ming's design, available in multiple sizes. The design evolved over time, from being pointy to more rounded and compact, like the sakura, or cherry blossom.

Linda set the table with magnolia from her yard. It was so pretty I had to share it. The blossoms last only two days.
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Nadine Kam is Style Editor and staff restaurant critic at the Honolulu Star-Advertiser; her coverage in print on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Contact her via email at nkam@staradvertiser.com and follow her on Twitter, Instagram and Rebel Mouse.