"Goodwill Goes Glam!"

Aloha Slendees! I am a huge fan of thrift and consignment shopping so when I heard about "Goodwill Goes Glam!" I was immediately intrigued! Goodwill Hawaii has created a four day event that not only celebrates fashion but also highlights all of the great things Goodwill does for the community such as providing skills training, employment counseling, job placement and support services. This year's event will be held at the Neal S. Blaisdell Exhibition Hall September 19th-22nd, 2013. 

The opening night of "Goodwill Goes Glam!" is The Gala Evening, which includes a fashion show styled with clothing and accessories all from Goodwill. I was able to attend the final model casting for the fashion show this past Saturday and met many of the models that will be walking in the show. The models varied in heights and ages but what they all had in common was a love for Goodwill. That love for Goodwill is what Amanda Stevens, producer of the fashion show, looked for when she booked the models.

Randie Lunn & I with a few of the models outside Hawaii Fashion Incubator

I chatted with Amanda prior to the casting and we talked about how models are often referred to as "hangers." I don't know if it bothers you, but we both dislike the term and agreed that models are much more than hangers.

Hangers are for hanging clothes. 

Models bring out the essence of clothes. 

At the casting, Amanda shared this same insight with her models. To avoid feeling like hangers, Amanda encouraged her models to think of one word to portray as they walked the runway. This one word would encompass everything about the outfit the model would be wearing on the runway. I demonstrated my walk first and because I was wearing a long, aloha print dress chose the word "Aloha" to portray. I then worked with each of the models on their walks and shared with them some runway tips and tricks to help prepare them for their show. By the end of our practice inhibitions had melted away and the models had a newfound confidence :)

Amanda's suggestion of picking one word to envision and portray works great! It really focuses you as a model and gives you a purpose on the runway. Try it the next time you're in a fashion show!

2012 Goodwill Goes Glam! "The Elements of Goodwill" Fashion Show

If you will be in Hawaii in September make sure you support this great fashion event! Also, if you are participating in a fashion event with a great cause let me know! I'd love to share about it on the blog :)

May the fierce be with you!

xoxo*j

2013 Summer Issue Countdown in Hawaii

Aloha Slendees! This week I've been counting down the days til the release of our 2013 summer issue by visiting some of my favorite spots on Oahu. I grew up here on the island of Oahu on the Windward side of the island in Kailua but my family moved to the Leeward side of the island to Kapolei when I was a junior in high school. No matter where I've lived since leaving the islands, Hawaii has and always will be my home.

The Slenderbread Magazine 

2013 Summer Issue Countdown

5.....

Monday I ventured to Kailua with my brother and found a bustling town of new stores and upgraded buildings along side several long time businesses I remember from my childhood. Our first stop was Island Snow - a surf shop that also sells the best shave ice in Kailua. It's so good even President Obama's been there! I ordered a li hing mui lilikoi shave ice with azuki beans and ice cream. (Suggestion: when ordering shave ice in Hawaii definitely request azuki beans and ice cream. It may sound weird but it is so incredibly fantastic!) We took our shave ice to Kailua Beach just down the road to enjoy. It was a perfect day to be at the beach as the water was calm and the sun was brilliant. Tourists and locals alike were kayaking, paddle boarding, sun bathing and splashing around in the water. It brought back so many wonderful memories of my childhood I could not stop smiling :)

4....
Tuesday my brother and I visited the Pali Lookout which overlooks the Ko'olau Mountains and the Windward side of the island. At over a thousand feet above the coastline, the Pali Lookout is usually quite windy, but to my disappointment it was only mildly windy on Tuesday. The lookout didn't completely disappoint though as the view was spectacular. Tourists flock to the Pali Lookout not only for its breathtaking views but also because of its deep historical significance. The Battle of Nuuanu took place at what is now the Pali Lookout in 1795 and was won by King Kamehameha I who eventually united the Hawaiian islands into one royal kingdom in 1810.

3...

Wednesday my brother and I took an early drive out to the North Shore to visit Pipeline at dawn. Pipeline is a popular surf spot for top professional surfers from around the world (which makes people watching there a sport in itself! ;)). Competitions like Pipe Masters are held there annually and are amazing to watch. The waves can get really, and I mean really, big there but we ended up there on a completely flat day. Without the waves and with only a handful of people on the beach, Pipeline was serene and peaceful, a nice change to what I'm used to there.

2..
Thursday I decided I wanted to visit the Blowhole and took my brother along with me again. I remember being so amazed by the Blowhole as a child and to this day it still excites me. Basically, when waves crash against that part of the shore, they are pushed through lava tubes and then sprayed high into the air. It's so cool to see in person! Just around the corner of the Blowhole is Sandy Beach where we also stopped so my brother could get in some boogie boarding and I could work on my tan ;)

1.

Today I figured I needed to do something super cool and chose jumping off the Rock at Waimea Bay to conclude my countdown around the island. The Rock at its highest point is about 25 feet high making the jump into the ocean truly exhilarating. I am kinda clumsy and have an interesting history of ER visits, but figured I had a 90% chance of being just fine. It can be confirmed that I survived the jump in one piece ;)

Make sure you visit the Slenderbread Magazine website to order your copy of the summer issue out June 1st!

May the fierce be with you!

xoxo*j

**A special mahalo to my brother Andrew who traveled with me around the island and took all my photos! 

MAMO Wearable Art Show at The Hawaii Theatre

Keone Nunes

Wahine Toa

Lauwa'e

Puamana Crabbe

Manuheali'i

Hina

Marques Marzan

Aloha Slendees! Wednesday night I attended the 8th Annual MAMO Wearable Art Show at The Hawaii Theatre. This Maoli Arts Month fashion show was a nearly sold out event that showcased eight Native Hawaiian designers.

The stage was beautifully adorned with tall, fresh flower arrangements that anchored a wide runway. Attendees were clothed in a mix of traditional and modern Polynesian attire, many also draped with sweet smelling lei. The Historic Hawaii Theatre was truly a grand setting for the fashion show.

What I loved most about the show was how much each designer was inspired by the Hawaiian culture. Whether the inspiration came through the beauty of the land, the Hawaiian language or through dance, these Hawaii designers demonstrated a deep passion for their culture that transpired through their designs.

I also loved that each designer used models of different shapes, sizes and ages on the runway. Real people in real designs. It was refreshing and inspiring! Dolce and Gabbana brands their company in a similar fashion using models of a variety of ages and sizes in their advertisements and runway shows to convey life like scenarios.

The MAMO fashion show opened with Keone Nunes, a Native Hawaiian tattoo artist. Chanting and the beat of the ipu transcended the audience to the days of old as Keone's models displayed traditional Hawaiian tattoos accentuated by plain, traditional (and revealing!) attire. Half way through, the show transitioned to a more modern display of Keone's tattoos with the upbeat singing of Alicia Key's "Girl Is On Fire" sung in Hawaiian.

Wahine Toa designed by Nita Pilago was next up on the runway. Her colorful designs were complemented with accessories by Lufi Luteru and Momi Greene. Moku O Keawe sang live Hawaiian music as couples walked the runway displaying a variety of Hawaiian and Tahitian inspired outfits. This popular brand sold out completely at the trunk show/after party. I was lucky enough to snag the last aloha print shirt for my husband, a teal silk button up that he will look ravishing in :)

Lauwa'e, designed by Laurie Nalani Downing, was a Tahitian inspired collection full of large patterns and vibrant colors. The style of the clothing reminded me of the many different ways Tahitians tie their pareos (sarongs). Looks were comfortable with a touch of sensuality and I loved the low back details especially on the jumpsuits!

Puamana Crabbe described her collection as "stylized business attire with a hint of culture." Prints were whimsical and not so traditional but accessorized with unique Hawaiian style accessories, one of my favorites being a woven fedora. Puamana Crabbe was the only designer to show a bridal gown. I would love to see more bridal from her!

After the intermission, Manuheali'i took my breath away as the opening of their show featured one of my favorite Hawaiian musicians Aaron Sala on a grand piano rising from the orchestra pit opposite a couple nestled in a French Bistro setting. Manuheali'i, designed by Danene Lunn, revealed their Mosaic Kukui Collection which was enhanced with accessories by Urban Sand designed by Randie Lunn. The women's designs were fresh and modern as Manuheali'i wasn't afraid to mix modern prints with their original Hawaiian prints. They also featured some great cover ups for the summer. I am anxiously awaiting the release of this line and think it will set a new trend for Hawaiian designs.

Maile Andrade is a Native Hawaiian visual artist and was the 2013 MAMO awardee. Her designs are currently being exhibited at the Bishop Museum through October. She designed elegant textiles that are hand dyed, printed, stamped and silk screened. She says, "when you wear a Maile Andrade Collection you have beauty on your side."

Hina, designed by Kanani Miner, was inspired by Hina the Hawaiian goddess of the moon. The collection shown was Hina Ulu Ohi'a inspired by the Lehua flower, "a choice flower that never fades." Kanani is a young designer and 2007 graduate of the Honolulu Community College Fashion Technology Program. All prints are hand drawn by Kanani herself. Another one of my favorite Hawaiian musicians Natalie Ai performed live and a few of the models even danced hula on their way down the runway.

Marques Marzan was the closing designer and the most artistic of the eight designers showcased. Everyone was at the edge of their seats as each completely unique design emerged. Marques focused his collection of the use of line and color. He says, "a line is movement, color is sensual and light." His intricate and delicate designers were a perfect way to end the night.

For more information about MAMO visit www.maoliartsmonth.org.

May the fierce be with you!

xoxo*j

A special Mahalo Nui Loa to Kawehilani Unga who accompanied me to photograph the event!