Stocking up at Catherine's Closet

Julie Lawson photo
Catherine’s Closet owner Catherine Fong, left, with Alyssa Fung, who purchased a boho top and coverup, perfect for spring and summer.

There’s only a couple of weeks remaining before Catherine’s Closet closes its doors, so I was in there Saturday picking up a few pieces.

Owner Catherine Fong has been known for her collection of vintage hats, as well as her private label Panama hats that sold at Barney’s Japan. I was able to pick up one of the last she’s been holding on to.

I tried on a lot of hats and people in the store kept commenting I look like such a lady, maybe because I was in a ladylike dress en route to the Junior League of Honolulu’s “Luxe” event at the Sheraton Waikiki. Which was so funny, because I’m so not ladylike in demeanor.

Nadine Kam photos
Catherine’s is the place to stock up on hats for any mood and ensemble. These are the three I picked up. The center Montecristi fedora was a hit for Catherine at Barney’s Tokyo.


In fact, that was a joke when I traveled to Shanghai two years ago and as always, headed to tailor central. The women who make tweed jackets kept trying to sell me on formal styles, and my friends who were translating, were like, “No, she likes punk rock, heavy metal,” and “She’s no lady.”

I was so happy with the end result, one black jacket with chopped off three-quarter sleeves, fringe at the hems (before fringe mania hit last year) and shiny spangles. Another navy dress and cropped jacket with metal chain trim all around (adding that trim cost just about as much as jacket).

My late husband did like me to dress in 1940s to ’50s styles because they hugged and flattered women’s bodies. And you’ll find such designs here. Catherine’s has pieces dating from the 1920s through the present.

Although she was scheduled to close at the end of the month. She may offer one last hurrah on First Friday, April 3, before the store closes to make way for a Reyn’s Rack expansion.
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Catherine’s Closet is at 125 Merchant St., open 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays, and by appointment Saturdays through Thursdays. Call 386-2746.

Bethany Shelley shows off her vintage style at Catherine’s. She’s a fan of 1950s style and says clothing from that era simply fits her better. Below, a detail of her skirt featuring imagery of Venice. She says she has a closet full of peasant and circle skirts.

Catherine hams it up in a Lai Fong coat with vintage cigarette holder.

A yellow party dress is among the vintage finds.

A non-wearable but colorful showpiece from downtown Honolulu’s Lai Fong, and below, the label from the long-standing Nuuanu Avenue store.

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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.

Last hurrah before Catherine's Closet closes doors

Nadine Kam photos
Angela McGuire shows her retro Hawaii style at Catherine’s Closet. She’s originally from Florida and now lives in Montana, but recently in town for a visit.

The downtown vintage boutique Catherine’s Closet will be closing its doors at the end of this month, and to thank customers for their patronage over the years, owner Catherine Fong will be hosting a benefit shopping day from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, during which 20 percent of sales will go to breast cancer research.

There will be music and prizes throughout the day, and Fong will be bringing out fabulous pieces from her private collection, which I can’t wait to see.

In addition to clothing from past eras, the shop has been known for stocking the largest array of vintage hats, headpieces and fascinators on Oahu.

Don’t worry, when the doors close it won’t be a forever goodbye. You will still be able to catch Catherine singing around town, at Medici’s and special events, and after a resting period, she’ll be introducing an online boutique. Though it’s not the same as dropping in and talking story with the personable collector.

I met her in 2007, when her boutique was in Manoa. She opened her downtown boutique in 2010, and among her patrons were New York darlings Proenza Schouler’s Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez.
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Catherine’s Closet is at 125 Merchant St. Call (808) 386-2746.

Catherine’s Closet is known for owner Catherine Fong’s collection of vintage hats.

Speaking of head toppers, this little crown could be yours for $54.

Accessories befitting a woman’s vanity circa 1950s and ’60s.

Catherine’s already carries a lot of nice vintage pieces but she’ll be busting out her private stash on Saturday.

A selection of earrings, and below, necklaces.

One of the unique items up for grabs is a 19th century bar that was originally in a Chinatown shop and stored away for decades before its owners decided to part with their furnishings.

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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.

Fashion photography and traditional costume exhibitions open

Photo courtesy Yi Lin Hu
Photography by Yi Lin Hu is on exhibition at CANON U.S.A., through the end of the month.

If you’re looking for something new to set your sights on, a couple of exhibitions around town focus on different aspects of fashion:

Over at CANON U.S.A., Ward Plaza, Yi Lin Hu is presenting an exhibition of his fashion photography.

The exhibition is presented in three sections focusing on the intricacies of fashion design, introspective contemporary portraiture and cinematic storylines.

The photos feature the work of designers Beverly Horton, Kini Zamora, Dinko Satta and Joelle Perry, with styling by Jose Santamaria, Reise Kochi and Therese Wahl, and makeup and hair by June Jones, Jake Acedo, Jonathan Freitas, Vanessa Li and Sanna Myers.

Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, through March 31. Admission is free. Plaza is at 210 Ward Ave., across from Ward Warehouse.

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Photo courtesy UHM Historic Costume Collection
Clothing associated with traditional techniques and styles are on view at the UHM Department of Fashion Design and Merchandising.

Clothing associated with traditional techniques and styles are on view at the UHM Department of Fashion Design and Merchandising.

The University of Hawaii at Manoa’s Historic Costume Museum is hosting an exhibition from its costume collection, daily through Sunday in Miller Hall, Room 112 (Room 101 on Sunday).

Titled “It’s Traditional,” the show was curated by students in the Costume Museum Management class.

In an effort to research and understand textiles used by diverse cultures, students were allowed to select a garment or outfit in the museum reflecting the theme of tradition. In the process, students were able to learn more about the culture behind the garments and to correctly display the items.

Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free.
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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.

Nordstrom launches Moschino's bear-themed capsule collection

Nordstrom photos
This Moschino iPhone case is one of 11 items from a capsule collection that debuted on the Milan runway today, and will be available tomorrow at Nordstrom Ala Moana.

Moschino’s capsule collection of pieces from its Fall/Winter 2015 collection debuted on the Milan runway today and will launch exclusively tomorrow at only six of Nordstrom’s 116 North American stores, including Nordstrom Ala Moana.

In the store now are designer Jeremy Scott’s bear-themed collection, including iPhone cases, handbags, ready-to-wear fashion and accessories ranging from $75 to $1,495.

Scott’s past two themed collections for Moschino, featuring items inspired by Barbie and McDonalds, helped create buzz over what he would show next.

Other Nordstrom stores that will receive the collection are Americana at Brand in Glendale, Calif, Fashion Island Newport Beach, The Grove Los Angeles, San Francisco Centre and Aventura in Florida.

After the launch, the collection will be available online at Nordstrom.com beginning March 1.

A few more items:

Moschino jacket bag, $1,495.

Moschino quilted backpack, $725.

Moschino bear bag, $525.

Moschino weekender bag, $1,295.

Moschino bucket bag, $895.
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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.

Pow! Wow! Hawaii pops up at T Galleria

Photos courtesy T Galleria
A Pow! Wow! Hawaii popup shop is front and center at T Galleria in Waikiki.

T Galleria has partnered with Pow! Wow! Hawaii to bring urban Kakaako’s street vibe to Waikiki with pop-ups featuring fashion and art. Local designers, curated by Pow! Wow! Hawaii, are featuring limited-edition products through Saturday.

The centerpiece of the event is a retrofitted food truck as a pop-up store. Local brands being featured throughout the ground-floor entry are Big Bad Wolf, Roberta Oaks, Fitted, Scott Hawaii, Knockaround, and In4mation.

There is also a pop-up cafe featuring coffee and espresso from Brue Bar, as well as baked goods from Agnes Bake Shop.

From 7 to 8 p.m. Feb. 24, visitors are invited to meet Steven Scott, owner of Scott slippers, and from 7 to 8 p.m. Feb. 28, meet Jeff Gress, operations director of Pow! Wow! Hawaii.

The display is open from 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. daily on the first-floor walkway of T Galleria, 330 Royal Hawaiian Avenue.

Pow! Wow! artists will be adding their work to this food truck-turned-popup-store during the event.

Nadine Kam photos
Take your pick of T-shirts designed by In4mation and other featured local designers.

More popup space.

Don’t forget the keiki while shopping.

A detail of Big Bad Wolf’s Dance Party tee.

Neiman Marcus presents Spring Beauty Event, 2015

Courtesy Neiman Marcus

Spring is in the air, and with it comes a round of new skin care and color products befitting the season.

Neiman Marcus will introduce new collections with at-counter makeovers during its Beauty Trend Event through March 1, 2015.

Those who make a minimum $125 purchase of beauty or fragrance products will receive a matte rubber magazine tote bag created by jewelry designer Eddie Borgo, filled with beauty samples. Choose from spring colors of smoky celery, rose and gray. Those who spend $500 or more will receive a matching Eddie Borgo wristlet and deluxe samples.

Cosmetic brands in the store will also be offering gifts with purchase. Some examples:

Chantecaille: Tote with Retinol Intense, Stress Repair Concentrate, Luminous Lip Gloss in "Pink Melon," and Faux Cils mascara in black; with $200 minimum purchase.

Clinique: Cosmetics pouch with Liquid Facial Soap, Repairwear Sculpting Night Cream, Take the Day Off makeup remover for lids, lashes and lips, Chubby Stick Shadow Tint for eyes in "Lavish Lilac," Different Lipstick in "A Different Grape" and Lash Doubling Mascara in black; $65 minimum purchase.

Dior: Cosmetics bag with J'adore Eau de Parfum vial on card, Diorshow Iconic Overcurl Mascara in "Over Black," Capture Totale Dreamskin, and Diorshow Maximizer Lash-Plumping Serum; with $200 minimum purchase.

Fresh: Bag with Peony Brightening Night Treatment Mask, 20 ml Soy Face Cleanser, Black Tea Age-Delay Cream, and Sugar Lip Treatment Advanced Therapy; with $100 minimum purchase. For $150 minimum, receive all plus 50 ml Soy Face Cleanser.

Laura Mercier: Bag with Creme Smooth Lip Colour in "Pink Blush," Bronzing Pressed Powder in "Dune Bronze," "Nude" tinted moisturizer, Infusion de Rose Nourishing Oil/Creme dual packet, and Foundation Primer Protect SPF30; with $125 minimum purchase. With $175 minimum receive all plus Tone Perfecting Creme.
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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.