BY: AMANDA STEVENS SEP 22, 2012

The Trump Hotel was transformed Friday evening into a posh, roaring ’20s party scene that would make F. Scott Fitzgerald proud. The highly anticipated LUX at the Trump Great Gatsby Party lived up to its promise of being a vintage, chic affair. Dapper gentlemen donned fedoras and straw boater hats, single breasted jackets and tuxedos, while women came dressed as sexy flappers with fringe and feather boas. Others were inspired by Coco Chanel, wearing cloche hats, shift dresses and multiple strands of pearls.

All of the outfits featured in the vintage fashion show were purchased from Goodwill. Fashion Show producer/stylist, Echo, created an exciting blend of the 1920s flapper vibe with an updated twist of softer hair and whimsical accessories. True to speakeasy fashion, the event featured Moët & Chandon Champagne and Belvedere Vodka. One of the featured sponsors was Daeng Gi Moe Ri Hawaii.

LUX at the Trump Great Gatsby Party

Photos by Amanda Stevens

I’m fascinated by the backstory – the substance behind the style. I’m moved by cause-driven businesses, artists and organizations. Tell me about your passion and your mission…

HONOLULU ADVERTISER – ISLAND LIFE – ORIGINALLY POSTED APRIL 18, 2010
HARD-ROCK VINEYARD by Amanda Stevens

Back in the 1990s, when Tool’s frontman was belting out “Stinkfist,” who’d have thought he’d become a winemaker?

Yet here comes “Blood Into Wine,” a documentary following Maynard James Keenan as he shares his passion for winemaking and swirls cabernet with Milla Jovovich.

“Blood Into Wine,” directed by Ryan Page and Christopher Pomerenke, documents a year in the life of metal-rocker Keenan (Tool, A Perfect Circle, Puscifer) as he breaks into the world of winemaking on a northern Arizona vineyard. Keenan faces frost, water rights disputes and industry prejudice in the region, and though you see glimpses of an outlaw attitude, he’s surprisingly soft-spoken, and he acts like an excited kid when he’s describing his vineyard. Guy looks good in a cowboy hat, too. This could entice former metal-heads who’ve never touched a wine bottle to give it a try.

See “Blood Into Wine” at the HIFF Spring Showcase, 6 p.m. Thursday at the Regal Dole Cannery Stadium 18; $12, $8 for HIFF members.

If this film gets you in the mood for wine, check out Sip with HIFF, 6 p.m. Friday at Fujioka’s, Market City Shopping Center; $50, $45 HIFF members.

For more on both events, call 792-1577. Get tickets at http://www.hiff.org.

— Amanda Stevens