LesPros Entertainment

Few have the genes to make it as an international supermodel, but with accessibility and likeability a factor in Japan modeling careers, it seems there are many more opportunities there for Hawaii models.

Find out if you have what it takes during the LesPros Girls search for Japan’s next top model, taking place 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, the 6th and 7th, at the Ala Moana Hotel.
You have nothing to lose, and if you happen to be among the first 100 to apply, you’ll receive gifts including beauty products, tote bags and the best-selling products from Japan.

Applicants must be females between the ages of 13 and 22, born between Oct. 14, 1985, and Oct. 10, 1995. The winner will receive $3,000, a LesPros exclusive contract, and opportunity to compete against Japan winners.

The Tokyo-based LesPros Entertainment Co. is one of the largest artist management company in Japan, representing models, actors, musicians and athletes.

Visit  for more information and to download an official entry form.

Rebecca Taylor look for Spring 2009. Nice shoes.

New York Fashion Week starts tomorrow, so I am moaning at my desk, wondering why I decided not to go while beauty bloggers try to offer some consolation, telling me on Twitter, “Don’t worry, we’ll spare you the sore feet,” and “Hopefully, we’ll cover it so you’ll feel like you’re there.”

Well, yeah, now I remember the sore feet bit, and I guess that could be equated with childbirth, painful but the pain is forgotten by the time the next one comes around.

I am sure if I were there I would be moaning about the distance and the timing of the shows and why I am killing myself trying to get to as many shows and parties as possible, when, of course the answer is, “You only live once,” and it’s not every day you can share space with Diane Von Furstenberg, Damien Hirst and the Olsen twins.

Check out the schedule here.

I have the feeling that the Spring 2009 garments to be shown will be exceptionally pretty because, given the state of the economy, designers will have to work extra hard to entice people to buy.

Nadine Kam video

Stopped by Nuuanu Gallery last Friday to check out boxes of T-shirts coming in from artists across the country, on exhibit as part of Jesse Arneson’s and Scott Na’auao’s “Dirty Laundry” show continuing through Sept. 21. Official grand opening is during First Friday, the 5th.

The idea is to not get rid of your old shirt just because it has an itty bitty stain or hideous blotch. I, for one, am prone to wearing white and somehow ending up at pasta restaurants and spattering marinara sauce on myself. Now, apparently, all life’s little accidents can be turned into art! I’m already accustomed to wearing holey T-shirts at home because I have parrots who love nothing better than to pick seams apart while riding on my shoulders. And forget wearing jewelry around them.

The gallery still held the Tom Okimoto and Satoru Abe exhibition when I was there. Over the weekend it was transformed with a grape sorbet color scheme.

Above is a video of Scott and Jesse opening boxes and taking a look at some of the shirts for the first time, with gallerina Mariko Merritt also admiring the shirts and some of the aromas wafting from them.

My favorites were Rosemarie Fiore’s fireworks painted works, though they are meant to be seen, not worn due to chemical treatments and general shredding and burning that wouldn’t stand up to washing.

The dress.

Well, I guess I spoke too soon when I said I wouldn’t be adding to my wardrobe over Labor Day weekend. After I wrote that Friday, I headed home, then out for dinner, when a friend called and said a top I had admired at Betsey Johnson had gone on sale and did I want her to buy it or put it on hold for me. “It’s $75, $75!” she emphasized.

“Uh, well, I have to try it on,” I said, but told her to go ahead and put it on hold.

So I went to Ala Moana first thing Saturday morning, just before the store opened, but what I had really looked at that night was the same design, as a dress with a feminine 1930s-40s vibe. I tried both on, and even though the top was on sale, I still liked the dress better for ease of wear. With the top I’d still have to hunt for the right pencil skirt — darn, I had just passed on a good M Missoni one on sale at NM weeks ago — or jeans, which I rarely wear. So I got the dress AND a peace dove bracelet.

The bracelet.

I interviewed the designer at the time the Honolulu boutique opened and it’s amazing to think it was only then that — although she’s been in business for 30 years — she was just starting to license her brand, which seemed very belated. Girls would have killed long before now for Betsey Johnson jewelry, shoes, sunglasses, purses, etc. But, I get it. When you’re so engrossed in the day-to-day biz, it’s hard to address the future beyond the next collection. I don’t envy designers. It’s a tough business, hard to predict consumers’ future desires and you pretty much have to make the right call every season.

Anyway, my friend called while I was in the store and goes, “Are you buying it and would you mind if I buy the same thing?”

She was in the mall so walked over and ended up with the top, so I guess it all worked out. I don’t know how other people feel about friends buying the same clothes, though it seems to happen to me now more than ever. I guess it’s natural for people who hang out together to share or grow into similar tastes, but it makes it hard when you have to check in with each other to make sure you’re not wearing the same thing at the same time.

Labor Day weekend usually means three things here: outdoors, barbecues and end of summer sales. I know a lot of people looking forward to shopping but I’m kind of shopped out, having cornered the market on difficult-to-wear shoes in recent months. I’m not usually a shoe person at all, but the styles cropping up over the past year have just been so amazing. (Sorry Katlin, I bought your Jeffrey Campbell shoe too, in purple AND black, so we’ll be twins! BTW, I’ve seen bow ties at Nordstrom and Ralph Lauren.)

I’m not the only one. The Twitterverse has been abuzz lately with talk about fabulous shoe finds. I don’t think it’s a coincidence. Designers always have to find something to capture our attention and hard-won dollars. Just as we’re suffering “It” bag burnout, they’ve amped up the shoes and shades.

If shopping is your weekend sport, here are a few things going on:

>> Barneys New York: Get an additional 60 percent off selected sale items through Monday. Waikele Premium Outlets.

>> Fighting Eel: Labor Day clearance with an additional 25 percent off select items that have already been marked down, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Saturday, at 47 N. Hotel St. Call 524-1472.

>> Shasa Emporium: Labor Day Weekend sale through Monday with 25 percent off all Tylie Malibu handbangs, 25 percent off existing markdowns, 25 percent off select denim, and 10 percent off regular priced merch, with some restrictions. At Kahala Mall. Call 735-5122.

Split Obsession photo

>> Split Obsession: Back to school sale through Sunday with 60 percent off its sale rack, 30 percent off all denim and bags, 20 percent off sweaters and toys, 15 percent off all tees and hats, and 10 percent off all blind box toys and accessories. At Koko Marina Shopping Center.

>> Hawaii’s CW Station and the Valerie Joseph Boutique are presenting the fall launch of “90210″ in advance of the TV premiere, and the season premiere of “Gossip Girl” from 3 to 5 p.m. Monday at the Ala Moana Center boutique. Attendees will also have the opportunity to win a makeover from Profiles Hair Salon. There will also be fashion shows at noon Saturday and Monday on the Ala Moana Center Stage.

If you just happen to be in the mall, Blue Hawaii LifeStyle has launched its signature açai bowls, featuring the super antioxidant berry, organic granola and organic honey, and will be offering free tastings from 9 to 11 a.m Sunday and 8:30 to 11 a.m. Monday. Bowls otherwise will sell for $6.95 to $11.95. Look for it in the Nordstrom wing. Call 949-080.

You can follow Ala Moana at www.twitter.com/alamoanacenter for updates on sales and events, for instance, an Ann Taylor Labor Day Sale with up to 60 percent off original prices on select styles, and an A|X Armani Exchange end of summer sale with an additional 25 percent off already reduced merchandise.

>> “Fashion + Music = Art” add up from 8 p.m. Sunday to 4 a.m. Monday (you have the day off, right?). The event will feature an 11 p.m. fashion show by Urban Nomad, sponsored by DisFunkshion magazine, with live street graffiti artist, an art gallery by local artists and photographers, body artistry by Flaunt Makeovers and the music of DJ Euphorik. Cover is free. At Ala Moana Center, 3rd floor, Ho’okipa Terrace. For more info, visit www.pearlhawaii.com.

Honolulu Academy of Arts

Also, check out the gift shop at Honolulu Academy of Arts, which has introduced a line of handblown glass jewelry by L.A. artist Jenny Gaynor, who studied in Murano, Italy. Call 532-8703.

While you have the time, some may want to enter Avon Books’ Model Photo contest that ties in to the release of Carol Alt’s new book, “The Year’s Model”? Up for grabs is a prize of a professional photo shoot, a meet-and-greet with a modeling agency, a wardrobe and the possibility of gracing the cover of Carol Alt’s next book. Just upload your lovely mug online through Nov. 21, 2008 at http://www.harpercollins.com/Imprints/Avon/Sweeps.aspx

Aveda photo

It’s natural to let go of some of our upkeep during the summer months when it’s hot, you feel a little lazy and there’s not as much going on as during the fall and spring months.

But fall is coming on fast and if your locks need a touchup, Aveda Lifestyle Salon & Spa at Ala Moana Center may be able to help. The salon is hosting its annual Cut-a-thon tomorrow, Aug. 27, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. The cost for shampoo, conditioner and haircut (no blow dry or styling), will be $35 (cash only).

Limited appointments; reserve at 947-6141.

Michael Phelps’ Olympic accomplishment was phenomenal and the press follow-ups begin, but this S.I. poster makes me wonder, what were they thinking?

At first glance, the arrangement of the gold medals looks like a belly dancer’s halter top. I mean, I’m all for men being in touch with their feminine side, but this seems disrespectful to me because any visual designer would have known what the impact would be.

We tend to consider dance more in terms of performing than visual arts, but there’s a fashionable element connected to costume design, which takes creativity and construction expertise. It’s not that easy, as evidenced by this week’s drag queen episode of “Project Runway.”

Out of all the creative occupations, I’d consider a dancer’s life the toughest because of limited opportunities combined with a short shelf life, so I’d imagine you’d find a lot of tough, can-do attitudes in dance. That seems to characterize the mindset of Cheryl Flaharty, artistic director for Iona Contemporary Dance Theatre, who’s busily imagining all manner of creatures for the troupe’s Oct. 4, 2008, fundraiser, “Atlantika.”

While she envisions a human fountain with arms continuously spouting water, and an Octopussy making her arrival by popping out of the center of a table and spreading her arms across dinner plates, Flaharty has no idea how they’ll be constructed. She only knows it’ll be done.

Eight weeks ahead of the party, it’s make it work time!

Tables are $3,000 to $10,000 for 10. Call 262-0110.

Ran the list of fall trends, as identified by Neiman Marcus, last week, but for those who need more visual aids, the store hosted a mini fashion show on Saturday, highlighting the trends. The event also marked the start of the Hawaii store’s 10th anniversary celebration. More details to come. How time flies!

The store has been very good for Hawaii’s fashion fans in that their arrival has also provided dozens of designers with a reason to come out this way to talk story and share their work. I’ve met and interviewed some incredible people along the way including Vivienne Tam, Anna Sui, Marc Carmen Valvo, Laura Mercier, Kelly Gray, Sue Wong, and so many more over the decade.

I’m waiting for the day they bring in Marc Jacobs or Philip Lim. Next five, maybe?

Nadine Kam photos
Philip Rickard has opened a new store at Ala Moana Center on the third level just outside Nordstrom. The jeweler was there with his marketing rep Liz Lerner to greet guests and talk about his jewelry.

Philip Rickard opened its doors with a blessing on the third level of Ala Moana Center’s new expansion Thursday, Aug. 14, close to the Nordstrom entrance.

Those who attended had the opportunity to see jewelers at work engraving bracelets and finishing pendants from behind a glassed room. There will always be jewelers there to work on custom pieces for buyers. Much of the Hawaiian jewelry orders are customized due to the personalization aspect of adding names, initials and sizing the pieces.

One showcase is devoted to designs created for Gwen Stefani’s L.A.M.B. fashion shows.

One of Philip’s most famous customers is Gwen Stefani who, he said, always admired Hawaiian jewelry when she traveled to Hawaii as a young girl, but could never afford it. Of course, times change and when she was able to place her first order with Rickard, she bought seven bracelets.

Since then, he’s sat down with her to design pieces for her fashion shows and describes her as being a person “on fire.”

“You can feel the energy around her, and she’s so creative,” he said. One of the things she had asked for were large bangles that the company had never offered. Since then, he’s found there’s a lot of demand for large pieces.

If you have any doubts about the labor that goes into this jewelry, you can watch work being done on the premises. Here, a large bangle is being engraved.

It was fun to try on other pieces, feel the weight of the gold and see the artistry behind the engraving. I was like, “I want to try that!” I did take a jewelry making class once, and enjoyed creating designs in wax involved in lost-wax casting, but I couldn’t take the heat involved in working with metal. Every time it came to polishing rings, the pieces would get so hot I couldn’t stand it and they would go flying out of my hand and pinging around the room. They probably could have taken someone’s eye out, so it’s safer that I just look and admire, and that means I have great respect and admiration for jewelers. Anyone creative, really.

Philip Rickard will be among a handful of Hawaii luxury companies featured during a September installment of E! News Extra.

Philip Rickard photo
These bracelets were created by Hawaii jeweler Philip Rickard for Gwen Stefani’s Spring 2008  L.A.M.B. runway show during the Mercedes Benz New York Fashion Week.