project runway recap: the finale, part 1

andy south finale preview

in case you missed the first part of the project runway finale, here's a tardy peek of the three outfits oahu designer andy south presented to make his case as to why he deserved to compete at fashion week. the pleating details of his eleventh look (no. 2 above) was certainly impressive . . . especially considering it was whipped up in a jiffy during the not-quite-a-surprise final challenge.

and, were you just as delighted to see tim gunn make the drive out to the country to visit andy at his mom's home in waianae? (although, a note to the editors: the north shore signage leading into the segment was a bit bewildering considering the westside can claim its very own iconic stretch of sand. tsk. tsk.) with only six weeks to craft ten looks, half of which was spent waiting for handwoven custom silk textiles to arrive from laos, andy had mostly sketches to share during tim's home visit and just two weeks to prepare his entire collection before returning to nyc.

oh my.

alas, andy's bikini got no love from the judges who took the remaining four designers to task for failing to present a cohesive overview of the collections they hoped to show at fashion week. i'll await your comments to dish on the finale but will say that i am delighted to have correctly predicted the final three on facebook!

andy: make it work! | judgement day | video diary

click over to the designers dish for the long awaited introduction of the mutual admiration society.

of the trio of looks presented in the pre-finale, which designers piqued your curiosity enough to send on to fashion week?

{photo credit: barbara nitke, lifetime television}

aloha friday scoop

cross a few things off your soha living wishlist during this weekend's pre-holiday sale! knock 20% off all regular-priced merch, including malie organics and bradley & lily letterpress, in-store & and online.

• when: fri, oct 22nd to sun, oct 24th
• where: soha living, kahala mall
• shop hours: mon to sat, 10a to 9p & sun, 10a to 5p

• secret code: preholiday
• expires: sun, oct 24th

gather up your gently worn party finery, glam accessories, and cosmetics (still sealed, natch) and drop them off during the bella project's dress donation drive to give local girls a red carpet moment during the upcoming prom season.

• when: sat, oct 23rd - 10a to 1p
• where: hawaii self storage, 2909 waialae avenue, kaimuki

split obsession hosts an afternoon of cuteness with trunk shows featuring mi cielo's felt appliquéd keiki wearables plus super good tees (fyi: free gift with $25 sg purchase).

• when: sat, oct 23rd - 1p to 4p
• where: split obsession, ala moana (second level by neiman marcus)

Click to read more ...

shop toast: tricks & treats

jax treat bags

does anyone else feel like 2010 is slipping away faster than you can say boo? with halloween lurking around the corner, how about we take a peek into the shop toast workshop to see the newest treats designed to add a little cuteness to next weekend's creepy costumed celebration.

if you are feeling particularly crunched on time, skip the line at longs and scoop up a few jax treat bags, wee pumpkin colored muslin delights pre-filled with an assortment of sweets for just $1.50 a pop. the halloween edition boo!zu boys have also returned (currently on clearance for $2) and have brought along a few friends to help scare away the rain on a daily basis.

toast's woodland warriors have proven to be popular and have welcomed a few new additions to its 'ohana from birch wood postcards ($4) to cotton totes ($15) with five different greetings and designs to choose from.

woodland warriors postcards & totes

and, lovebirds and holiday hostesses have a pretty new semi-custom favor option with the arrival of the diy tying the knot fabric wrap bags. the cotton hanky sets are a simple way to doll up those tokens of appreciation and can be ordered in rainbow of colors to coordinate with your bash's decor.

you can find all the new goods both in-store and stocked in the online shop. and, if you are hoping to wish away the drizzle with the latest boo!zu boys weather charm ($6; available in 7 colors), remember to mention h|h and the shop toast 'ohana will knock $2 off the going price!

• where: 3434 waialae avenue, suite 3, kaimuki
• shop hours: m / w / f / sat - 12p to 6p

{mahalo jeremy & michelle!}

aloha friday scoop

the smart magazine 'ohana have just launched SMARTdeals, a crowdsourced bargain bonanza with a focus on local style, beauty finds, & island bites.

p.s. there's still time to scoop up the debut deal which gets you $40 to spend at the fighting eel flagship for $20.

• expires: sun, oct 17th - 12p hst
• fyi: one per person; vouchers good 'til jan 2011

if you are strolling the chinatown arts district for slow art friday, pop by fashionista's market which invites one and all to its 5.1 anniversary celebration with sips and sweets plus 20% off storewide.

• when: fri, oct 15th - 5p to 10p
• where: 1185 bethel street, chinatown

it's all about medieval times at the october edition of family sunday at the academy of arts. cheer for your favorite knight, watch yarn being spun, chain mail being made, and slip on costumes inspired by the middle ages.

• when: sun, oct 17th - 11a to 5p
• where: 900 south beretania street
• tix: free! (donations welcome)

online, liana from mixed plate is shuttering punk-n-pie, her online keiki shop which means savings up to 50% off on tiny togs and accessories.

• fyi: while supplies last

happy weekend!

project runway: we're in a new york state of mind

new york, new york! was the inspiration for the final project runway challenge. local designer andy south explored central park and sent a chic and edgy little black dress down the runway. textured panels stood in for both the park's architecture and cityscape hovering above the tree line while meandering pathways were reinterpretated into a sheer peekaboo back.

(although when gretchen described andy's dress as having a hint of madam, hotel street's disreputable past did pop into my mind briefly.)

on the upside, andy's technical talent continued to impress the judges although a few seemed to question the design connection to the great outdoors. mum's the word on the four designers who still have a chance to make it to the official fashion week roster, so hit the comments to dish on whether you agree with the judges' almost final elimination this week.

andy: make it work! | judgement day | christian siriano's take | video diary

click over to the designers dish for the inside scoop off the runway.

{photo credit: barbara nitke, lifetime television}