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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Friday, June 19, 2009

Stylish togs, discounts at Fresh event


By Paula Rath
Advertiser Staff Writer

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Designs by Allison Izu, who specializes in denim, will be part of tomorrow's Fresh event.

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Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser
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Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Miche bags in aloha print will be available later this summer.

ANDREW SHIMABUKU | The Honolulu Advertiser

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Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser
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Here's another innovative opportunity for those seeking fresh new local fashions: Fashionista's Market presents the shopping event Fresh from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. tomorrow in the Blaisdell Center's Hawai'i Suite.

In addition to discount designer brands from Fashionista's Market, there will be booths by Omnia, Lovely Peace, Ginger 13, Roberta Oaks, Allison Izu, CLOTH and Sola 2, among others. Crystal Pancipanci of Panci Styles will be available for on-site styling, and Ulupono Academy will provide complimentary hair, makeup and nail services.

Admission at the door: $10. A portion of the ticket sales benefits the Women Speaking Out Foundation.

Information: www.fashionistasmarket.com.

MISA IN OPRAH

Another local girl has hit the pages of O, Oprah Winfrey's magazine. Ocean-inspired pieces by Misa Hamamoto of Misa Jewelry were featured in the May issue in a summer fashion spread. Hamamoto, a Punahou grad, grew up in Honolulu and now lives in Los Angeles.

THE BELLA PROJECT

The Bella Project provides new and virtually new formal attire and accessories free to underprivileged high school students in Hawai'i who might not otherwise be able to go to prom. The organization is funded through in-kind contributions, fundraising events, and individual and corporate donations. From 7 to 11 p.m. tomorrow night at Pearl in Ala Moana Center, Bella Notte, Prom 2009 will raise funds for The Bella Project. Prom attire encouraged but not required. Tickets: $50 (includes pupu, cocktails and "prom" photos).

RSVP: www.thebellaprojecthawaii.org or buy tickets at the door.

AN ENGAGING EVENT

For those planning a wedding, there's help this weekend as The Wedding Ring Shop hosts An Engaging Event, a free wedding show featuring high-end products and services.

At noon Saturday, Morgan Childs, owner of Moana Events, will offer a complimentary wedding seminar, "Creating the Wedding of Your Dreams."

From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, The Wedding Ring Shop will host a boutique bridal vendor showcase featuring Halekulani, Visionary Photography and Bradley & Lily Fine Stationary. RSVP: nicole@weddingringshop.com or 945-7766.

MORE MICHE

A news release from the Miche bag distributor on the Big Island, Ken Buckwalter, was in the mail as I was writing my story about Miche bags last week. In fact, Buckwalter was the first Hawai'i distributor for Miche bags — and he is the exclusive distributor of Miche bags to retailers.

Hawai'i shoppers can expect to see Miche bags in retail stores on O'ahu in the near future, Buckwalter said.

Buckwalter also works with representatives who will take a home-party approach to selling Miche bags, in the manner of Tupperware parties.

This aloha print Miche bag is a prototype of a style that will be available later this summer. Buckwalter is encouraging the Utah-based company to introduce a collection of Hawai'i-inspired prints.

For more information: www.michebagofhawaii.com.

Michael Pechinski, a native New Englander, grew up with traditional American quilts; then his passion for hula and love for Hawai'i led him to design a contemporary collection of Island- inspired quilts, Kapa Mua. His Bay Area kumu hula, Patrick Makuakane, encouraged the textile designer to turn his talents in this new direction.

"I wanted to modernize the Hawaiian interpretation of the quilt and to go for something more graphic and masculine," Pechinski explained in a phone interview from San Francisco, where he lives.

Kapa Mua quilts are sewn in the traditional Hawaiian way, entirely by hand by Pechinski and sewers in the Bay Area. The collection is inspired by shells, flowers, and cultural expressions such as tattoos, kapa and feather capes.

You can see several Kapa Mua quilts at Place, an Atelier by Mary Philpotts, 40 S. School St. Information: 275-3075 or www.kapamua.com.