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!

Honolulu Night Market Fashion Show by Tyson Joines

Aloha Slendees! Last night I saw a fashion show styled by Tyson Joines at the Honolulu Night Market. I was ecstatic to be able to attend a fashion show in Hawaii and was throughly impressed with the talent I saw. The models here are so diverse and exotic it is intoxicating. I will be profiling a few of the models I met at the show in the upcoming weeks so stay tuned!

Tyson showcased a total of 40 looks that were inspired by Alexander Wang's SS2013 show, which if you might remember was one of my favorite shows last September. What impressed me most about last nights show was Tyson's clear attention to detail. The color palette for the show was strictly black and white with seldom pops of neon accessories. The absence of colors and patterns emphasized the sleek and sophisticated silhouettes. Makeup for the models was refreshingly natural and hair was parted down the center and wrapped in a low pony which kept the looks refined and unified.

Some of my favorite pieces from the show included high waisted black leather leggings, which is currently at top of my 'Have-To-Have' list, and a neon triangle clutch, which was so different and amazing I was drooling.  There were also different types of visors, my favorite being one that was a complete shield over the model's face. Loved it!

Tyson fell in love with fashion, like many of us have, through fashion magazines like Vogue and W. He has worked for companies such as DISfunkshion Magazine and Wilhelmina Hawaii and eventually plans to move to New York City where I think he will be warmly welcomed.

Hawaii has much to offer the fashion industry and last nights fashion show proved that. I look forward to discovering and sharing with all of you more of the talent there is here in the islands.

May the fierce be with you!

xoxo*j

H&M's Spring 2013 Campaign: The New Icons

Hey Slendees! Jeneka K. here to bring you a slice of the iconic model life :) H&M launched their Spring 2013 Campaign last month featuring four of the industry's newest fashion icons. These top models have graced covers of fashion magazines around the world, been in campaigns and on catwalks for some of the best designers, and yet when you watch their interviews with Derek Blasberg they seem just like [beautifully sculpted] regular women. They are down to earth, humble, hard workers and deeply passionate about what they do. Check out their portfolios from their various agencies and be inspired by these four diverse women who are making their mark in the fashion industry today.

Daphne Groeneveld

Birthday December 24, 1994

Nationality Dutch

Birthplace The Netherlands

Height 5'10.5"

Measurements 31-24-35

Agencies: New York - Supreme Management, Paris - Women Paris, Milan - Women Milan, London - Select Model Management, Copenhagen - Scoop Models, Los Angeles - PhotoGenics

Watch Daphne's interview with Derek Blasberg here

Joan Smalls

Birthday July 11, 1988

Nationality Puerto Rican

Hometown Hatillo, Puerto Rico

Height 5'10.5"

Measurements 32.5-24-34

Agencies: New York - IMG, London - IMG London

Watch Joan's interview with Derek Blasberg here

Lindsey Wixson

Birthday April 11, 1994

Hometown Wichita, Kansas

Height 5'10"

Measurements 32-23-34

Agencies: New York - The Society Management, Paris - Elite, Milan - d'management group, London - Storm Model Management, Los Angeles - Vision LA

Watch Lindsey's interview with Derek Blasberg here

Liu Wen

Birthday January 27, 1988

Nationality Chinese

Birthplace Youngzhou, China

Height 5'11"

Measurements 33-23.5-34.5

Agencies: New York - Marilyn Model Management, Paris - Marilyn Agency, Milan - d'management group, London - Select Model Management

Watch Liu Wen's interview with Derek Blasberg here

May the fierce be with you!

xoxo*j

Models Night Out! At The 2013 Met Gala

Hey Slendees!

Jeneka K. here to share with you a slice of the red carpet model life :) Last night The Metropolitan Museum of Art held their annual Met Gala! This year's theme "Punk: Chaos to Couture" welcomed a very interesting parade of outfits on the red carpet. We saw a lot of black, leather, smokey eyes, dark lips and spikes galore!

Many of the industry's top models arrived primped and punked out this year and I've got my haute picks just for you!

The 2013 Met Gala's Haute Models 

Karlie Kloss in Louis Vuitton.

Jessica Hart in Alia.

Brooklyn Decker in Peter Pilotto.

Doutzen Kroes in Theyskens' Theory.

Liya Kebede in Alberta Ferretti.

Alexa Chung in Erdem Fall 2013.

The Hottest of the Hautes

My personal favorite models of the night

Joan Smalls in Tom Ford. One word: Delectable.

Miranda Kerr in Michael Kors with the perfect lip and perfect clutch! 

Constance Jablonski in Wes Gordon. 

The gold and the harness make this dress a little nice and a little naughty ;)

Chanel Iman in J. Mendel.

How fun are her pink tips? Pink is the new punk!

Coco Rocha in Emanuel Ungaro by Fausto Puglisi.

Not mad at the bangs Coco! Rawr!

All hail Cara Delevingne in this spiked Burberry dress!

My #1 Hautie: Rosie Huntington-Whiteley in Gucci Fall 2013.

A perfect fit for Rosie and for the occasion!

I'd love to hear your thoughts about this year's Met Gala! Comment below!!

May the fierce be with you!

xoxo*j

Redken All Punked Out at the MET Gala!

May 7th, 2013 (New York, New York) - The first expression of youthful rebellion through personal style almost always begins with the hair, at any period in time. But the raw, spiky, wildly cut, do-it-yourself hair associated with “punk” style played an especially integral part in defining the movement’s style as it emerged in the 1970’s, which is also when world renowned hairstylist and Redken Creative Consultant Guido was just starting his career. Coming to age in the era of punk in London in the 1970’s, Guido says it was a very important influence for him; and like many of today’s great fashion designers, he’s since referenced the visual message of anarchy, chaos, and disregard that is everything punk in some way in almost every step of his career. 

Last night’s 2013 Costume Institute Benefit at The Metropolitan Museum of Art celebrated the exhibition, PUNK: Chaos to Couture, which opens this Thursday. Drawing from the way punk has always inspired him, Guido conceptualized the hairstyles for the 50 living and breathing punks (25 male and 25 female models) who lined the Met’s grand staircase as guests entered the gala. The 50 individual hairstyles he created truly completed each look, setting up the theme of the unforgettable event with a distinctly punk presentation. 

“Playing with punk's classic codes--the streetwise swagger, the gritty glamour--Guido has created a tribe of 50 outrageous rebels who feel modern, authentic, and most importantly, cool,” said Sarah Brown, Beauty Director of Vogue Magazine. 

In addition to his work for the Gala, Guido created an essential part of the looks in the Met’s upcoming PUNK: Chaos to Couture exhibition, deconstructing 1,500 wigs to create exaggerated, mask-like versions of punk reality for each of the 110 styles on display. Guido strove to bring these looks to life at last night’s gala, using the opportunity to create a real-life interpretation of the wildly punk headpieces he created for the exhibition. 

Guido’s Gala styles were thus an embodiment of the exhibition’s message, serving as proof of punk’s enduring longevity: “The look on the models at the Gala tonight is 100% punk, but not overly retrospective nor a pastiche of punk. It’s a more modern interpretation. I wanted to show how the energy and feeling of punk begins to develop, and so this is how I envision a young girl might start expressing her rebellious side, with a punk haircut she did herself,” Guido said. 

The 25 female models all wore wigs colored platinum blonde, red, or black that Guido then hand-cut and styled to each model, creating 25 one-of-a-kind looks in true punk fashion. He created a spiky, cone-shaped look using Redken rough paste 12 working material and generous amounts of Redken’s new high-hold control addict 28 high control hairspray. Next up, two different short, ragged, and rebellious ear-length bobs with short bangs: the first was all about huge, horizontal volume and created with hot sets 22 thermal setting mist and control addict 28 hairspray, while the second was less about volume and all about tough texture, styled with plenty of with Redken powder grip 03 mattifying hair powder. The fourth choppy, roughed-up, DIY-style look Guido created with Redken rewind 06 pliable styling paste and forceful 23 super strength finishing spray. 

Redken professional color was used to color the wigs the models sported: new Redken Flash Lift bleach was used to create the platinum blonde wig, the bright red was created with a double process – first new Redken Flash Lift Bleach and then Redken Shades EQ in shade 06AA, and the inky black was created with Redken Shades EQ in shade 01B. 

The 25 male looks were created using the models’ natural hair, most of whom had Mohawk-ready hair, and those who did not sported chunky punk-perfect styles which Guido created with rough paste 12. The Mohawks were created using control addict 28, sprayed on layer by layer and focused on the tips, resulting in those razor-sharp finishes. 

“Punk was everywhere when I was in my teens and it’s always been a source of inspiration for me. So when I was asked to style the Gala and create the headpieces for the exhibition, it was an era, and a style, that I already felt close to. I’ve always put a little punk in my work… whether it’s an energy, a feeling, or an actual element of the look.” 

-Guido, Redken Creative Consultant 

About PUNK: Chaos to Couture: 

The spring 2013 exhibition organized by The Costume Institute at The Metropolitan Museum of Art will be PUNK: Chaos to Couture. The exhibition, on view from May 9 through August 14, examines punk’s impact on high fashion from the movement’s birth in the 1970s through its continuing influence today. All mannequin head treatments and masks were designed by Redken Creative Consultant Guido, who also created treatments for Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty and last year’s Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations. 

About Redken: 

For 50 years Redken’s foundation has been based on extensive scientific knowledge and the belief in, and support of, the expertise of salon professionals. Redken provides salon professionals with innovative products, inspiring education and exclusive salon programs to be as successful and profitable as possible. Located in New York, Redken is also at the forefront of trends and has created a strong relationship with the fashion world. As a result, Redken has become a leader in backstage beauty, creating the runway looks for the industry’s most prestigious designers. A unique mix of fashion, science and inspiration, Redken provides salon professionals and consumers the ultimate professional edge. 

To locate a Redken salon please log on to redken.com. Follow on twitter at @redken5thave.

Modeling Tip Of The Day: Do A Little Dance!

Hey Slendees!

Jeneka K. here to bring you a slice of the pop and lockin' model life :) Ever been on a shoot and got stuck trying to figure out your next pose? Or, feel like you're always doing the same poses and need something new to do with your hands or feet? I've experienced this same mental block before and the one thing that always seems to inspire me is MUSIC!

When I hear music I can't help but move. My shoulders sway, my head bobs, I start to bounce a little and before you know it, I feel like I'm one of Beyonce's back up dancers! ;) I probably wouldn't make the cut on So You Think You Can Dance, but I do have a good amount of dance experience. Dancing has really helped me feel more comfortable with movement, extending, stretching and just feeling comfortable in my own skin. Now when I shoot, I think of posing more as dancing! Fluid movements from head to toe.

Fun fact: I danced full-time at the Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show at Walt Disney World for 6 years.

photo by: photographybymaka.blogspot.com

I've discovered that many of my favorite models also have previous dance experience! In a recent cover shoot for Vogue Austraila, Karlie Kloss dished a little about her experience as a ballet dancer. If you're a Karlie fan you know that girl can move!

Click here for a behind the scenes video of Karlie's cover shoot!

The Face's Coco Rocha also has a dance background as an Irish dancer. How cool is that? Fun fact: Coco has been known to do 50 different poses in 30 seconds! Any model out there up for the challenge?? 

Watch this clip of Coco Rocha which includes her Irish dancing down the runway for Jean Paul Gaultier!

So to all you aspiring models out there and even the veterans as well, whether you have dancing experience or not, let music inspire you to move in ways you haven't before! Try taking a dance class at a local dance studio. Or, head to the gym with some friends and try a Zumba or Sh'Bam class! It's a great way to have fun, get in a good workout and loosen yourself up for your next photo shoot.

Karlie Kloss photographed by Mario Testino for Vogue US July 2012

The hand-on-the-hip poses just don't cut it anymore models. In order to get really great shots you have to learn how to MOVE!

Read more about Coco Rocha the Irish dancer turned supermodel

May the fierce be with you!

xoxo*j

Model Turned Movie Star: Cara Delevingne in The Great Gatsby

Hey Slendees!

Jeneka K. here to share with you a slice of the model life :) I've been cuddled up with Vogue's May 2013 issue all week devouring all the articles about the soon to be released film The Great Gatsby. Directed by Baz Luhrmann (Romeo + Juliet and Moulin Rouge!) and starring Carey Mulligan, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Toby Maguire, this version of Gatsby is sure to be nothing short of spectacular.

Vogue - May 2013 Cover

I first saw the trailer for Gatsby early fall of last year and immediately read the book as the movie was set to be released in December. Well, December came and went and there was no Gatsby to be seen :(

Finally the date is set for next Friday, May 10th! I, of course, will be in attendance dressed in my own 1920s inspired fit which I probably should start planning now! ;)

Besides the costumes (designed by Cathrine Martin) and the soundtrack (produced by Jay-Z!), I'm also looking forward to seeing one of the hottest and most sought after models in the industry right now, Cara Delevingne, on the big screen.

Vogue - May 2013

Vogue - May 2013

You probably recognize Cara from campaigns shes done with DKNY or Chanel, just to name a few.

Or you might have seen Cara's signature strut on the runways in Milan, New York, Paris or London. With a quirky spunk that's a little awkward but amazing all at the same time, Cara is powerful and unforgettable on the runway. Cara was even listed the #3 First Face for the Fall/Winter 2013-2014 runway shows by fashiontv.

First Face #3 Cara Delevingne - Fall/Winter 2013-2014

Named BFA's Model of the Year in the fall of 2012, this British superstar is repped by some of the top agencies in the world. Storm Model Management is Cara's mother agency in London, but she is also represented by Women Model Management in New York, Elite in Paris, Fashion in Milan, Scoop Models in Copenhagen, Mega Model Agency in Hamburg and Elite Stockholm.

For behind the scenes fun and lots of funny faces, you can follow Cara on Instagram @caradelevingne and on Twitter @caradelevingne

May the fierce be with you!

xoxo*j