introducing vakker blomst

considering my styling skills are woeful at best, the throwback hair pieces created by vakker blomst are wooing me with the possibility of adorning my strands with an old world, romantic reminder of the age of innocence. curious about the origins of hair fascinators, a quick google revealed that they began as an alternative to the fancy and pricey offerings of milliners with variations of feathered ornamentation decorating the hair of ladies through the centuries from royal courtesans to flirty flappers before falling out of favor with the arrival of the beat generation.

lucky for the modern island coquette, april, the maui stylist who launched vakker blomst on a whim, began making tropical confections for herself and friends after finding herself underwhelmed by the selection of available accoutrements. before long strangers were approaching her in hopes of purchasing the plumage straight off her head. with ladylike fashion making a comeback of late, the addition of a few strategically placed feathers, seashells, and petals seem like the most delightful way to dress up an artfully askew, thoughtfully mussed side 'do.

or perhaps it's the influence of the one new show deemed worthy enough to be added to my watch list this fall.

each design is handmade from pieces to pin in your hair to extravagant feathered headbands to slip on when you find yourself in a style pinch. pieces are priced from $20-$50 for ready-to-wear looks while custom styles embellished with fancy jewels can go up to $350.

the latest offerings can be found in the online shop while maui readers can find vakker blomst stocked at karina in lahaina and sophia grace at the grand wailea (and opening soon in paia).

p.s. click over to vb's facebook to see fascinators styled on devoted fans.

{via sophia grace maui}

project runway recap: the finale, part 2

andy south spring/summer 2011

now that everyone has had a few days to process the unexpected upset of the project runway finale and heaps of candy to medicate any regrets, let's review local designer andy south's spring/summer 2011 collection and send happy congratulations his way on being hawaii's very first PR-finalist to show at new york fashion week!

on the small chance that the show is still lingering on your dvr, i'll resist sharing the big reveal until after the jump where you can peek the finale runway looks, show links, and the dreaded spoiler.

hooray andy!

after presenting a gorgeous mix of provocative styles episode after episode, andy opted for a refined, ladylike look much to the consternation of the judges. and, while only a few pieces matched my personal aesthetic, the collection as a whole looked quite polished and wearable for a certain style set.

despite the judges concerns over the surprising lack of warrior chic in his collection (which resulted in an immediate dismissal to the ranks of the previously auf'd), can we all agree that the fashion gods will continue to smile down upon andy? i predict his much adored, edgy frocks will be happily rocked by the beautiful people around town while his elegant separates are style perfection for asian sophisticates from hawaii to hong kong.

with the interweb's collective shudder at gretchen's win, it seems quite telling that the tally from the seenon sale (now over if you missed the mention in friday's scoop) broke down to mondo's offerings selling out, andy scoring sold out banners on half his looks, and the winning collection selling the fewest styles.

{insert innocent whistle here}

before we bid aloha to S8, enjoy the final behind-the-scenes peeks from the show.

andy: make it work! | judgement day | video diary | designers dish | S8 highlight reel

and, for my fellow team mondo fans - were you also baffled by nina & michael's rationalization in favor of gretchen's all knowing crystal ball o' fashion?

p.s. mahalo nui to all the readers who stopped by to chat during the season! it was great fun for me, and hopefully i will learn the magic trick of wooing more of you (and you and you!) to shake off your anonymous reading habit and click over to comment and meet new friends.

{photo credit: barbara nitke, lifetime television}

aloha friday scoop

hele over to the shop toast storefront to scoop up last minute halloween treats now marked down 50% off!

• when: sat, oct 30th - 12p to 6p
• where: 3434 waialae avenue, suite 3, kaimuki
• secret code: boonanza (whisper at checkout)
• fyi: while supplies last (in-store only)

a few blocks away, lily lotus will be passing out sweets which will unveil a surprise discount on your entire purchase at checkout.

p.s. & click over to ideeli which is hosting the local yoga line's flash sale (50% off!) this weekend.

• when: sat, oct 30th & sun, oct 31st - 10a to 5p
• where: 1127 12th avenue, kaimuki
• fyi: one per customer; not combinable with other offers

on sunday, mu'umu'u heaven will be offering 20% off all bamboo frocks.

• when: sun, oct 31st - 11a to 4p
• where: 767 kailua road, kailua

Click to read more ...

tamara catz 2010 sample sale

with sequins shimmying off the disco floor and onto fall 2010's must have style list, maui designer tamara catz is providing a few variations to woo closets hoping to acquire a hint of shimmer this season. new sequined arrivals include something for one and all from jaunty nautical stripes, minimalist racerbacks, and flirty minis.

although it's unlikely the new looks will pop up in this weekend's sample sale, pieces from the always lovely bridal collection will be in the mix. only in-stock merchandise is up for grabs so hele over early for first dibs!

10% of proceeds will be donated to the hawaii chapter of the susan g. komen foundation.

• when: fri, oct 29th - 9a to 7:30p | sat, oct 30th - 10a to 7:30p | sun, oct 31st - 10a to 6p
• where: 83 hana hwy, paia

isle style: designs by lo

boutique week seems so long ago but tahiti from green with envi continues to make me swoon with her beautifully photographed shop updates. one of my recent favorites are the upcycled leather clutches handcrafted by kamuela designer laurie edwards who hunts local rummage sales and consignment shops for material to remake into charming leather accessories.

everything from no longer loved leather jackets to discarded upholstery are fair game while the addition of rock-n-roll studs salvaged from cast aside belts transform the bits and pieces into crushworthy carryalls. and, since secondhand discoveries are reworked into new-to-you loveliness, no worries on crossing paths with the dreaded design dopplegänger!

clutches vary in style and color but are all priced at $60.

big island readers can scout designs by lo's recycled leather offerings at green with envi's waimea shop while off island friends are welcome to contact laurie via email to order direct. (fyi: leather earrings and cuffs are also available and priced from $36 and up).

{photo credit: 1+3/tahiti huetter}