'Project Runway': Designers dress Heidi for red carpet

Lifetime photos
Kini Zamora’s red carpet creation came close to winning.

‘PROJECT RUNWAY’ SEASON 13
Episode 5: The Klum of Doom

This week’s episode opens with a Heidi Klum photo montage and what the designers see is a red carpet rolled out on the runway and show host Klum strolling out in a trench coat because, she says, “I have nothing to wear.”

The designers are tasked with creating something for her to wear to the Creative Artists Emmy ceremony, and she explains she’s looking for something “unexpected, fashion forward and fearless,” adding that she doesn’t want to end up on the worst-dressed list. This is one of those dreaded challenges because she’s one tough customer.

The designers are given $250 to spend on materials. Hawaii designer Kini Zamora is excited because, if there’s anything a Hawaii designer can do, it’s evening wear. From prom to pageant to weddings, somehow, in the most casual of states, a gown is still associated with life’s special occasions. The special occasions also provide independent designers with a steady stream of work, and when clients are paying for something, they’d better be happy or word-of-mouth spreads fast.

Zamora is right at home and through each episode seems to be laughing his way through tasks that seem all too easy for him.

“I love making glamorous gowns,” he said, and once again, is finishing while the other designer seem to be just starting … or starting over. During the critique session, Klum likes what she sees of Zamora’s work, but hates nearly everything else. So much so that after exiting the workroom, she and the designers’ mentor Tim Gunn return, telling the designers that they will have an extra $100 to shop for supplemental or new materials at Mood. Designers who don’t need the extra boost can give their cash to the other designers. Sandhya Garg asks for Zamora’s share and gets it.

I don’t think co-host/judge Heidi Klum was thinking of how bulky the winning gown will look in red-carpet photographs.

It’s obvious the other designers are lost and their ideas of what a gown should be are several rungs below even the gaudiest pageant gown. I sewed all my own prom gowns and I’m not the best of seamstresses, but my high school creations were better than 80 percent of tonight’s runway.

During the judging, designer Zac Posen says of Zamora’s work, “This is somebody who has done red carpet before,” while pointing out horsehair in back that hold up to wear at a crucial moment. He adds that Zamora got his highest score and said, “This is someone who gets it.”

Once again, he is in the Top 2, but the final nod goes to Sean Kelly for an ombre fringe dress with a low-cut back. This was a tough call, but just as last week, I think I have to side with Zamora this week. His gown was elegant and classy—sorry, two words that don’t describe Klum’s style—and fit like a glove again, with slimming details on the side.

Kelly’s dress had nice movement but the length and bulk of the fringe made it look heavy, shapeless and Yeti-like, even on a tall, thin model! No one wants to photograph fatter on the red carpet.

Because of the poor quality of the work shown this week, two designers—Kristine Guico and Mitchell Perry—get the boot.

Kristine Guico easily had the worst dress of the evening and was sent home.

Mitchell Perry also struggled and was sent home.

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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.

Fans flock to LeSportsac to meet Simone Legno and Palette

 

Nadine Kam photos
It was all color, Kawaii, sweetness and lollipops as LeSportsac welcomed tokidoki creator Simone Legno to the Ala Moana Center store in celebration of the LeSportsac X tokidoki collaboration.

Success hasn’t spoiled Simone Legno. The tokidoki creator and creative director returned to Honolulu to celebrate the LeSportsac X tokidoki collaboration marking LeSportsac’s 40th anniversary, and remains as humble and personable as he was on his last visit to the Ala Moana store in 2007, where he signed autographs and posed for pictures for fans for 6-1/2 hours.

This time was no different, though, anticipating a huge crowd for the anniversary release, a wristband system was implemented at the store to maintain order and prevent people from being disappointed if time ran out.


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More than 200 fans started lining up at about 7 a.m. for the signing that began at 2 p.m. and ended at 6:30 p.m. Hundreds of others milled around the store, hoping for a glimpse of the artist and scooping up the collaboration bags bearing tokidoki’s newest character Palette, a leopard that changes her spots with her moods. In the video, Legno talks about the inspirations for his prints and Palette.

LeSportsac buyer Edna Hechtman reported that, “Many fans commented that is was handled very well, organized and pleasant. They had shown so much compassion for Simone drawing for hours to accommodate each fan’s request for their favorite character. It was nice to hear that the fans were so happy Simone was here and that they didn’t mind standing in line to meet him.”

At a press event preceding the public event, LeSportsac reps and Legno also dropped hints about a Hawaii collaboration set to arrive in the fall. Stay tuned.

In the meantime, visit the tokidoki blog at http://www.tokidoki.it/blog/tag/video for videos of Palette as she explores tokidoki-land. There are seven animations that will be released a week at a time, on Mondays. The first three are posted.

Simone Legno, left, with LeSportsac director of sales Cindy Eastman, and Waikiki Trader president and CEO James Geiger, who brought LeSportsac to Hawaii.

Edna Hechtman photo
One fan came dressed like one of tokidoki’s City Girls.

Palette and the prints she inspired.

Lena Strong-Morris shows Simone Legno’s signature and illustration inside her new LeSportsac X tokidoki Palette backpack.

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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.

Suiting up on 'Project Runway'

Lifetime photos
Hawaii designer Kini Zamora’s dress was deemed “fierce” by “Project Runway” judges.

‘PROJECT RUNWAY’ SEASON 13
Episode 4: A Suitable Twist

The designers start their day at Red Robin, where, after a pep talk on transformations, they are greeted by a line of waiters bearing sustenance while dressed in drab to downright ugly suits. A plaid suit is the one fashion statement.

Naturally, the designers focus should be on the suits, which become the fabric source and inspiration for their challenge, to create a stylish women’s ensemble.

As the winner of last week’s competition, Sandhya Garg gets to choose her suit first. Usually, the first one to make a selection would choose the next designer, and on and on down the line until the last suit is claimed. The twist this time is that Sandhya will choose the suits for each designer and Hernan Lander is panicked because they don’t get along. Naturally, he hates the polyester suit selected for him, foreshadowing the outcome.

Hawaii designer Kini Zamora is assigned one of the better suits, a pinstripe number that could make a nice graphic element and bold statement when transformed. He creates a warrior woman dress with bold sleeve and cutout details. During his critique session, mentor Tim Gunn tells Kini that he should call him Speedy because of his quick work, and Kini jokes that what he’s showing is his 7th creation.

All the designers are now taking note of Kini’s technical expertise and speed. While they are still stressing, he is relaxing in the lounge with nothing to do with two hours to spare.

His speed is even better appreciated when taking in his final work, that fits his model like a glove, with matching stripes throughout. Anyone who sews knows this is a bit of a puzzle, cutting the fabric in a way that allows the stripes to line up. It’s even more impressive when considering that, because the fabric came from a suit, there was only a limited quantity and not much room for error.

After what seemed like a lengthy debate, judges picked Amanda Valentine’s boho maxi for the win.

Even so, judges were torn between his structured look and Amanda’s boho maxi. In the end, repeat contestant Amanda Valentine was deemed the winner, and even though a lot of work may have gone into the fringe she created, this is something she put out just two episodes ago, whereas I have never known Kini to repeat himself. This could be a blessing and a curse as the day may come when the judges warn, “I don’t know who you are as a designer.”

Fans of the show seem to agree that Kini should have been the victor this week. In the “Rate the Runway” portion of the show’s website, Amanda’s look won a low 2.7 rating vs. Kini’s, at 4.32.

I also liked Fäde Zu Grau’s creation, though it seemed to have a fit issue in the mid-section that showed when the model walked, and even though I’ve been ragging on Sandhya Garg each week, I liked her ensemble for its color, playfulness and humor, created from the boldest suit she had selected for herself, in yellow and purple.

Hernan Lander was sent home for this atrocity.

Fäde Zu Grau came up with a great ensemble.

For once, I liked one of Sandhya Garg’s because of its color and playfulness.

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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.

'Project Runway' projects into the future

Lifetime photos
Hawaii designer Kini Zamora at the cutting board. On the wall are photos of the designers as they looked 20 years ago, reflecting the time travel nature of this week’s design challenge.

‘PROJECT RUNWAY’ SEASON 13
Episode 3: Welcome to the Future


This week, the designers were tasked with coming up with a look that might fit the pages of Marie Claire magazine—currently celebrating its 20th anniversary—20 years into the future.

Hawaii designer Kini Zamora expresses his excitement about going fabric shopping at Mood to pick their own fabric for the first time since the challenges began. His design for the one-day challenge is ambitious, comprising a blouse, skinny jeans and cape-style houndstooth jacket.

Zamora’s three-piece ensemble.

As I tried to imagine what we might see in the future, I think we will be doing more covering up with jackets. I have a pretty dim view of future and breakdown of society made more violent by scarcity of basic resources such as water, so I imagine some cross between “Mad Max” and “Barbarella” with a mix of clothing that protects us from ever more lethal elements such as increased radiation, pollution and perhaps the stray bullet, combined with tech fabrics that might provide temperature control and basic computer processes.

Zamora’s design shows off his technical skills and how quickly he is able to work, and once again he ends up safely in the middle of the pack.

I love Emily Payne’s hoodie ensemble that also has judge Zac Posen dancing in his seat, but Sandhya Garg emerges as the winner the second time for a gimmicky piece with elevated, jet pack-like detail that looks more cheap, homemade Halloween costume than futuristic. Even so, the judges appreciate the originality and color.

Sandhya's pieces may be entertaining the judges for now, but I don’t see her winning the competition because her taste level is so low and in the end, no woman wants to dress like a clown.

I liked Emily jumpsuit and “Ewok” hoodie that also wowed the judges, but it didn’t push the envelope far enough for the win.

Sandhya’s winning look. The “Star Wars” makeup likely helped a lot.

Angela Sum was finally auf’ed for her ragged stewardess-look uniform.
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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.

Louis Vuitton fine jewelry, watches on tour

Louis Vuitton photo
LV's Tropical Island Ring is a plumeria handcrafted in 18-karat white gold with one LV flower-cut diamond and color accents of tourmaline, sapphire, beryl, aquamarine and chalcedony.

Louis Vuitton Ala Moana welcomed a caravan of archival and new fine jewelry and timepieces yesterday. Honolulu is the only American city to receive the exclusive collection, which will be on view through Aug. 17 at the store.

The 71-piece collection includes jeweled timepieces for men and women, and necklaces inspired by new creative designer Nicolas Ghesquière’s Petite-Malle handbag, which harkens back to LV’s roots and fabled monogram trunks, or malles.

I fell in love at first sight with the purse itself, a structured mini trunk that can be worn as a crossbody or clutch.

Nadine Kam photos

Kelsey Campbell is adorned in a Louis Vuitton Haute Joaillerie diamond headband, monogram flower earrings and timepiece.

During a preview of the collection on Aug. 6, models were draped in diamonds, precious stones and timepieces, and for those trying on the pieces, there was many a wow moment

Louis Vuitton photo

Tambour Monogram Tourbillon in white gold, featuring a discreet monogram pattern on a mother-of-pearl dial with diamonds.

Eri Aihara wears Louis Vuitton’s padlock pendant in 18K white gold with diamonds, $23,900. The white gold chain is chain is $3,650.

There were also yellow gold necklaces inspired by LV’s new creative director Nicolas Ghesquière’s Petite-Malle handbag. I LOVE this! The mini trunk design can be used with strap or as a clutch, and in turn was inspired by French banker and philanthropist Albert Kahn, who, in 1909—the dawn of the photographic era—launched an ambitious project, “The Archives of the Planet,” dispatching photographers to 50 countries to document human tribes around the globe. The work continued until he was ruined by the Great Depression. The work speaks to LV’s history and aesthetic, and association with travel and the arts.

I also loved, loved, loved the strong geometry of Louis Vuitton’s Haute Joaillerie amethyst Emprise pieces on Courtney Coleman, including long tassel necklace ($14,600), earrings and ring. Nine amethysts form the pendant design. A better look, from LV, below:

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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.

Paul Brown Salons still evolving after 43 years

Nadine Kam photos
Über stylist Paul Brown is surrounded by loyal staffers, friends, family and patrons during a blessing of his renovated salon and spa at Ward Centre.

Marking 43 years in business, Paul Brown companies continues to grow and evolve with its original founder at the helm.

To mark the occasion, Brown hosted a gathering of friends and family Aug. 6 to celebrate the renovation of the Paul Brown Salon & Spa at Ward Centre.

After a four-month, $300,000-plus renovation project, the 2,300 square-foot flagship location now includes European shampoo units, four new hairstyling stations, granite countertops and custom cabinetry throughout, and a stainless steel receptionist desk.

It was too crowded to get a close look at all the new stations, but you couldn’t miss the photo collections, including Brown’s “Galactica Warrior,” which will be included in Queen International, a high-end Italian fashion, culture and current affairs magazine.

It was a little difficult to focus on the new salon stations with photos like these on the walls, celebrating Brown’s past and current work. A friend saw me documenting this image and could only ask, “Really?” Please, what caught my eye was his hair. Really.

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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.

'Project Runway' goes to the movies

Lifetime photos
“Project Runway” judges Nina Garcia, Zac Posen and Heidi Klum prepared for movie night.

‘Project Runway’ Season 13
Episode 2: Unconventional Movie Nite

The designers wake up to popcorn and start imagining what that might entail. They’re thinking movies or red carpet, but it is a double whammy: their first unconventional materials challenge … and even more dreaded team challenge. Already, there is the feeling among the designers that Angela Sum and Sandhya Garg are the weakest among them so the focus is on their teams.

Hawaii designer Kini Zamora is safely a part of the purple team that includes Mitchell Perry and Char Glover.

The materials are things you would find in a movie theater, from tickets to concession straws, and the challenge is for the three-person teams to create a cohesive collection of three garments.

I haven’t really been wowed by the designers to date, and due to the nature of the materials, most of the creations have a crafty feel to them. The exception is Sean Kelly’s “Cruella de Vil”-inspired coat of white straws. I thought it was easily the best garment of the night.

Zamora’s team opts to create blue cocktail dresses. It doesn’t sound promising when, during mentor Tim Gunn’s critique session, he asks Zamora of his design, “Is it going to be a big braiding pupu platter?”

Kini Zamora’s bulky design looked like a school project.

In the end, Amanda Valentine wins by default. After announcing the winning and losing teams, judge and co-host Heidi Klum tell Angela that her team—with Kelly and Fäde zu Grau—could have been the winning team, but her design brought them down.

She had layered flowers of cut paper over a shift, like a third-grade project, that had nothing to do with the movie villains theme her teammates had chosen. She also had the audacity to tell Sean, who had offered to help her cut flowers, that it wouldn’t help because the “hand” would be different, as if her crude flowers were distinctive.

The judges did like the energy, variation of materials and styles, color and cohesiveness of Valentine’s team, that also includes Korina Emmerich and Kristine Guico.

As for Garg’s losing team, judges said that hers was the worst look that brought her team down, but because of her previous week’s win, she could not be eliminated. Either Carrie Sleutskaya or Hernan Lander would go. After much whining from Sleutskaya, judges decide immaturity is her downfall as a designer and human being, so bye bye.

Amanda Valentine’s winning retro/futuristic “Barbarella”-inspired dress.

Carrie Sleutskaya’s simple and ill-fitting celluloid creation got her voted out.

Keep up with episodes via the Lifetime website: http://www.mylifetime.com/shows/project-runway

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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.