(from FrolicHawaii.com 8/27/15 – Amanda Stevens)

HONOLULU Fashion Week returns this fall as a three-day event, from Nov. 20-22, that highlights international and local designers with runway shows, VIP events, pop-up boutiques, exclusive merchandise and more.

Super exciting… Fern Mallis who created 7th on Sixth Productions in 1991, which eventually turned into the famous New York Fashion Week will be a special guest, as will Honolulu-born Harold Koda, curator-in-charge of the Costume Institute at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Another new element this year is Runway to Runway, a fashion show featuring international designers including CFDA Vogue Fashion Fund finalist Todd Snyder from New York, Ellery by Kym Ellery from Sydney, Lie Sandbong by Lie Sang Bong from Seoul and Aula Aila by Yukimi Kawashima from Tokyo. These designers, along with Hawaii’s own Kaypee Soh will present capsule collections inspired by the fashion markets and destinations serviced by presenting sponsor Hawaiian Airlines.

Two popular shows featured last year Live Aloha and Get Out! will showcase various design aesthetics from local talent. Confirmed designers for these shows include: Allison Izu, Bliss Lau, Cameron Hawaii, Florencia Arias, Ink & Tailor, In4mation, Kini Zamora, Language of the Birds, Mahiku Activewear, Malia Jones, Matt Bruening, Moon Collective, Reyn Spooner, Roberta Oaks, Salt Liko, Sig Zane and Tiffany Chou.

Also, the same crew who made the magic happen last year will be back — Lynne O’Neill fashion show producer NYFW, Don Sumada stylist for magazine editorials and fashions shows, Roman Young Creative Director, Wilhelmina International, Bobby Gutierrez Image/Celebrity Manager, Wilhelmina NY, Keke Lingard international model, Gordon E.W. Link lighting and set designer, and Eli Schmidt photographer. Artists John Koga and Lawrence Seward will be leading the design and construction of the Pop-up Boutique during the event week.

Calling all aspiring models, Sunday from 12-2 p.m. there will be an island-wide model search led by Young and Gutierrez. Both are originally from Hawaii and have more than 35 years of fashion industry experience combined. In addition, O’Neill will be offering tips on how to walk the catwalk.

What: HONOLULU Fashion Week Presented by Hawaiian Airlines
When: Nov. 20-22
Where: Hawaii Convention Center
More: For additional details on scheduled events, visit honolulufashionweek.com

(from FrolicHawaii.com 8/26/15 – Amanda Stevens)

Reyn Spooner unveiled its Hawaii Food & Wine Festival collection Wednesday night at its Ala Moana Center store. Original prints from two Hawaii Island artists, Dietrich Varez and Eddy Y, were used to create men’s and women’s tees in a design called Au , as well as Island Feast and Na Kanaka I Ka’aina, both limited edition aloha shirts.

HFWF co-creator Roy Yamaguchi and his crew served up delicious sushi and poke, while mixologist Chandra Lucariello offered up fun versions of the Paloma and Moscow Mule. With food, drinks, music and fashion, this was the ultimate pau hana.

(from FrolicHawaii.com 8/21/15 – Amanda Stevens)

Royal Hawaiian Center presented its RSTYLE Enchanted Garden Party and fashion show Thursday night, showcasing this season’s hottest fashions. Apparel, jewelry and accessories were selected from a number of popular boutiques: Anteprima Wirebag, Allure Swimwear, Aloha Aina Boutique, BaliHai Hawaii, Calypso St. Barth, Island Slipper, Kobe Jewelry, Furla, Island Fashions, Royal Hawaiian Boutique, Royal Hawaiian Golf Shop and Western Classics.

Stylist Tyson Joines stayed true to the colors of the season and brought a cohesive vibe from toasted almond and aquamarine shades in swimwear, to tangerine and strawberry ice hues in the dresses and wraps. I especially loved the fun golf wear from the Royal Hawaiian Golf Shop and handbag selections from Furla. Jeanne Kapela, Miss Hawaii 2015, was one the models in the show along with other finalists and contestants from the pageant.

Lady Gaga tribute artist from the Rock a Hula show and back-up dancers ignited the crowd before the fashion show.

Scenes from the RStyle 2015 Enchanted Garden fashion show:

Here’s some shots we snapped before and after the fashion show:

Royal Hawaiian Center Enchanted Garden Party Pics

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-Photos by Eric Baranda

(from FrolicHawaii.com 8/16/15 – Amanda Stevens and Tracy Chan)

It was hot at this month’s Honolulu Night Market, themed Summertime Blues, but there were lots of opportunities to cool off. A new feature this month was the Summer Sips VIP section, a pop-up offering samples of cocktails and beer from local beverage companies, plus food samples, for just $30.

On Cooke Street, Milk Tea Hawaii had a steady line, serving up refreshing tea and coffee drinks. Flavors of the World food booth was slammin’ all night, with many finding it hard to resist the giant meatball sandwiches or BBQ pulled pork sandwiches.

Clothing and beauty booths this month included The Dandy Boutique, Moon Collective, Culture Club and My Aloha Post. This month’s fashion show was by Kira Hawaii, a new boutique that opened in Mililani last month. Kira Hawaii is also a jewelry line, and the pieces featured on the runway included unique geometric rings, cuffs, earrings and necklaces. The jewelry was complemented by sweet yet sultry swimwear by Indah and Somedays Lovin, plus light, flowing day and night looks from brands like Show Me Your Mumu.

Kira Hawaii fashion show:

(from FrolicHawaii.com 8/10/15 – Amanda Stevens)

With fall just around the corner, I got an up-close look at some of Neiman Marcus’ hottest fall trends from Giorgio Armani, Armani Collezioni and Eileen Fisher. A trunk show and a runway show last Saturday previewed looks for when the weather finally begins to cool off.

As the daughter of a designer/art buff, I grew up hearing all about art history. So I was thrilled to have a girls day out with Mom to check out the Giorgio Armani and Armani Collezioni trunk show because some of the pieces were inspired by brushstrokes in Marc Chagall paintings.

Next, Eileen Fisher’s 2015 fall collection was showcased at a Neiman Marcus runway show. I absolutely love the designer’s use of sustainable fibers, certified dying practices and recycling in its fashions. I’m also a big fan of this collection’s simplicity, versatility and light fabrics that layer with ease — minimalist fashion done right. Here’s a look at some of my fave pieces:

 

(from FrolicHawaii.com 8/8/15 – Amanda Stevens)

Major humidity and light showers didn’t stop the fun factor at August’s First Friday. The 7-foot-tall (in platform boots) Sister-Mister from Scarlet Honolulu, (the new LGBT hotspot formerly occupied by Soho Mixed Media Bar) was out and about spreading cheer and fabulousness. Downbeat Diner and Lounge featured Club Underground with DJ Ross Jackson, Davey Shindig and Gnaraly spinning on the decks.

Madre Chocolate offered samples of its new chocolates, including new flavors acquired from Vanuatu, while Chinatown Artists Lofts included live kapa demonstrations and artwork from more than 10 other artist residents. Fresh Cafe Downtown, meanwhile, featured music from Scott Imanaka and friends, and had vendors selling cool bow ties and sea glass jewelry.

(from FrolicHawaii.com 7/18/15 – Amanda Stevens)

Friday night’s Lux at the Trump White Casino Royale party celebrated the 50th birthday of event host extraordinaire Paul Klink. Attendees dressed in their hottest white ensembles and had a chance to beat the heat on the open deck overlooking Waikiki. But the evening was even more meaningful because a portion of the proceeds will go towards Christa Wittmier’s cancer treatment expenses. Wittmier, aka Super CW, is a friend and colleague to many in the Honolulu entertainment and nightlife scene, and good number of people came to support her.

Lani Lau designs, with the Bali meets Hawaiian tropical flare, was the featured collection. Also showcased, stunning swimwear from Lilikoi Boutique including pieces from Pualani Hawaii, L Space and Seafolly. I loved the cohesive tone of vibrant rainbow, tie dye and abstract retro prints in all of the collections The styling by Michelle Smith and Matt Fischer brought the collections from beach chic to très chic.

Here’s a look at our favorite fashion moments and party pics:

(from FrolicHawaii.com 7/17/15 – Amanda Stevens and Eric Baranda)

Goodwill Hawaii has produced a mega runway show for the past four years, and Thursday’s Goodwill Goes Glam fashion show at Blaisdell Exhibition Hall was the biggest one to date.

The Royal Fashion Show, produced by Kini Zamora and styled by Therese Wahl, included eight collections with regal themes; Day at the Office, Black and White Street Chic, Boho Garden Party, Tea Party, World Traveler, Party Like it’s 1999, Belle of the Ball and Wedding Bliss.

Wahl’s execution was on point, especially her styling of opulent wedding dresses accessorized by her handmade embellishments on head pieces and jewels. Zamora and Wahl worked closely with Paul Brown Salons and Motives Hawaii to come up with the perfect hair and makeup for each royal look. The models truly brought the show to life, taking on subtle vibe changes to complement the various collections, to music by deejay Romeo Valentine.

Frolic’s Melissa Chang asked me to style her for the event, and I chose this elegant Anne Namba black jacket with shiny embroidered elements and a leather natural shade Coach bag. While searching for Melissa’s perfect outfit, I had an exclusive sneak peek of the sales floor. I found a good amount of high-end name brands such as Coach, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Dooney and Bourke and more.

If you didn’t get a chance to attend the sold-out VIP fashion show and pre-sale, you still can get your glam on. The best treasures of Goodwill have been converged into a giant weekend pop-up, thru Sunday at Blaisdell. The entire event week is presented by Bank of Hawaii Foundation with proceeds supporting Goodwill’s job placement and job training programs.

Here’s a look at the Royal Fashion Show:

(from FrolicHawaii.com 7/10/15 – Amanda Stevens)

In the first few minutes of the “The Gallows” I thought, “Oh no, not another movie filmed entirely on a hand-held camera.” But as the story unfolded, I got hooked. Blumhouse Productions brought “old school” back with this flick, just as they did with the first “Paranormal Activity,” allowing the audience to get to know the characters before the horror begins.

Twenty years after a horrific set malfunction during a small town school play, an ambitious yet superstitious high school drama class attempts to resurrect the production to honor the anniversary of the tragedy, sans the accidental hanging. The characters are your typical high school formulaic quadrant – the jerk Ryan (Ryan Shoos) convinces his hot blonde girlfriend Cassidy (Cassidy Gifford) and his athletic, handsome-with-a-heart friend Reese (Reese Mishler) to break into the high school auditorium on the eve of the debut to destroy the set. They’re caught by the good girl/sweet brunette Pfeifer (Pfeifer Brown).

Once the four characters are locked in the school by a malevolent force, things get really good. The dark corridors, moving shadows in the corners of the screen, loud and sudden blasts, all crescendo into well-executed executions.

The special effects are subtle and not over the top, which kept me at the edge of my seat. The lighting was also excellent, especially the red light effect of the Emergency light as Cassidy is crying alone in a room, or is she alone? The 21-year-old actress actually stole the show with this intense crying scene. Who would have thought that the daughter of T.V. host Kathie Lee Gifford and former football star Frank Gifford could get that dark and twisty.

Oh, and there’s a surprise ending that I really didn’t see coming. “The Gallows” opens today, I won’t leave you hanging, except to say it’s worth the ticket price.

 

(from FrolicHawaii.com 7/4/15 – Amanda Stevens)

My grandfather, who lived off of School and Kino streets, was a regular at Kenny’s Restaurant. Even after he was unable to drive, he’d walk to St. Theresa church three times a week, and on the way back home, he’d stop here for a bite to eat. I have fond memories of going to Kenny’s with him to enjoy a club sandwich or saimin, while talking about photography and hearing his memories at Pearl Harbor.

Now, my dad, son and uncle Bobby Stevens, who are also loyal patrons, are wondering where we’ll be going. The beloved Kalihi coffee shop closed on Sunday, July 5, after serving breakfast and local-style comfort food at Kamehameha Shopping Center for nearly 50 years. (The last day for the Waikiki location was July 4.)

I stopped by Kenny’s one last time. The mood was bittersweet. “People have been flying in from the neighbor islands to visit us,” owner John Fujieki said. “They’ve even come in from the West Coast and as far as Nebraska, timing their vacations to eat at Kenny’s one last time.”

Fujieki cited his fragile health as being the catalyst for the decision. “Earlier this year I suffered from a stroke,” he said. “I thought I was getting better, then I had vertigo. I did a lot of soul searching, and then decided I was going to close the restaurants. As soon as I came to that decision, the vertigo stopped, so I took that as a sign from the Lord, that it was time to cool it.”

He said since that announcement, there’s been an outpouring of sentiment, particularly from the older generation who even have memories of the original spot, the Burger House, from more than 50 year ago. “Others tell me about their Farrington High School alumni meetings, coming to eat after championship games, how three generations of family members would gather here. So many stories, so many memories. I’m so thankful to each and every one of our customers… I can tell you this, the staff, the customers, will always mean so much to me.”