Last week my friend, artist and professor Marcia Morse invited me to a luncheon of professional university women leaders at Oahu Country Club. The audience was a fascinating group of bright, ambitious women with lots to say around the luncheon table.
The speaker was Amos Kotomori, who is a fashion and jewelry designer as well as a lecturer at Honolulu Community College, where he teaches the fashion show production class. Amos is also a stylist extraordinaire and has worked on many TV programs and movies here and on the Mainland. He has a great eye!
So it was fun to get his take on what a professional woman should think about when getting dressed. It was quite different from my own presentations on the subject.
He approaches fashion by talking about keeping in mind all five senses, as they all contribute to first impressions:
Sound: Your shoes make a sound, such as the clip clip of heels or the slap slap of slippers. He also discussed the importance of voice and how it is perceived - fast, slow, monotonous or excited.
Sight: It's all about proportion and he gave a mini-seminar on proportion by taking a woman from the audience and dividing up her figure. He encouraged attendees to take the time to stand in front of a mirror, naked, and take a critical look at their body from four directions. "Accept where your body is NOW" he said with emphasis.
Smell: Scent is important and should not be so strong that it lingers in the elevator. It should be just enough to stay with you and make a statement without remaining in the air around you.
Touch: Textures are so important, especially with today's styles. Layering is a study in making different textures work together.
Taste: Well, he didn't really go into this one, as it's a stretch for a fashion-related subject. With the fragrances that are popular right now - vanilla, cinnamon, lavender - it's hard to separate smell and taste when applied to our bodies.
Amos will be working with the HCC students on their upcoming graduation fashion show. I highly recommend attending it. After all, that's where Jay Nicolas Sario got his start and now he's a style star on Project Runway.
I don't watch a lot of TV, so it's exciting when I discover a new channel (at least new to me) that's worth watching. Yesterday I was on the treadmill and while channel surfing I came upon a show about Zandra Rhodes, an iconic English designer I have loved since the '60s.
The show is "Drop Dead Design" and it's on Ovation TV, which is #608 on my TV. I watched a bit of it again today (while on the treadmill, of course) and it was on the architect I.M. Pei. Great programming with lots of insight into the designers and their design process.
I first discovered Zandra Rhodes when I was living in London in 1967-68. It was a fabulous time for fashion in London, what with Twiggy, Mary Quant, Biba Boutique, Carnaby Sreet, the King's Road and Portobello Road all swinging to the tunes of the Beatles and the Rolling Stones.
Zandra Rhodes was at the heart of the London fashion scene. Mind you, she was quite misunderstood by many. She was way ahead of her time in so many ways. She did safety-pinned dresses decades before Versace. She was actually the precursor of punk, even before Vivienne Westwood.
Rhodes does prints like no one else, Etro and Pucci included. Her drawings and designs are usually inspired by her travels. You'll see reminiscences of Mexico (where she has a peacock-like museum of fashion and textiles that's as colorful as she is), the Masai tribe, Morocco, India...wherever she roams. She interprets ethnic textiles and cultural elements, interpreting them and making them modern - and making them her own.
I lusted after a Zandra Rhodes butterfly dress in 1968 but of course, as a student, there was no way I could afford it. Instead, I went to Biba and bought a butterfly dress that was clearly inspired by her. I wore it until it fell apart.
In 2001, when I visited London with a group of UH fashion students, we had the good fortune to spend time in Rhodes' studio and she even came and met with us. She still has her amazing pink hair and Cleopatra makeup - and her highly personal vision of how she sees the world. She is always her own unique peacock of a person. She was gracious and kind and open to answering questions. Seeing her garments from previous decades, as well as her exquisite prints inspired by recent travels to Egypt, was an inspiration to everyone in the group. She even let us try on her clothes!
A Zandra Rhodes design is a tranformative garment. It makes you feel cocooned and protected from a world less lovely.
When asked on "Drop Dead Design" if she planned to retire from fashion, Rhodes replied: "I'm gonna go on 'til I drop." You go, girl!
If you ever see a wonderful Zandra Rhodes dress - particularly a butterfly dress - for sale in a vintage shop or online - would you please please please let me know?
• Celebrating Valentine’s Day at home because you’re on a tight budget? Papa John’s heart–shaped pizza special gets you a large pizza,
Cinnapie and a long-stemmed rose for $20.99 from Friday, Feb. 12 to Sunday, Feb. 14. Pop in a romantic DVD and you’re all set. Order online at papajohns.com or call 979-7272.
Tea at the Veranda: fancy!
• If you skip the chocolates and jewelry on Valentine’s Day, you might be able to afford to treat each other to a day of pampering and afternoon tea at the Moana Surfrider. Say “I love you!” with a gift for two at the Moana Lani Spa: a buy one, get one half off deal, from Thursday, Feb. 11 to Monday, Feb. 15. For reservations call 237-2535, or visit moanalanispa.com for pricing. Mention the offer when you book to receive the discount. After the spa, head to the Veranda for a “First Lady Tea Service,” including a fragrant sandalwood fan, afternoon tea service, a plate of fresh berries with crème fraiche, and a glass of rosé, at $48 per person; that fancy cake and dainty tea service will make you feel like princess for a day. For reservations call 921-4600, or email TDRC.waikiki@starwoodhotels.com.
• Need a gift for your guy? Visit T&C Surf Designs at Pearlridge and get a free T-shirt worth $20 with any $40 purchase of men’s Volcom apparel.
T-shirt designs include the Islands,and reggae prints. Visit www.tcsurf.com for more store locations.
• Fashionista’s Market has a sale going on Monday, Feb. 8, through Wednesday, Feb. 10, with 20 percent off all regular-priced dresses. Find the shop at 1183 Bethel St.; 537-1115, www.fashionistasmarket.com.
• Love is in the air at Let’s Party Hawaii. Check out their goodies; heart shaped boxes of chocolates, heart shaped roses and candies and plush teddy bears. Valentine’s Day cards are 99 cents. Let’s Party Hawaii, Windward Mall; 247-7000, www.windwardmall.com.
• Have a heart and give back at Aeropostale’s Teens for Jeans program, through Feb. 14. Bring in any brand of gently worn jeans to your local Aeropostale store, and Aeropostale and DoSomething.org will donate the jeans to a local shelter or charity. In appreciation, Aéropostale will give you an additional 25 percent off your next pair of jeans. Aeropostale, Windward Mall, 236-0658; Ala Moana Center, 947-7173. www.aeropostale.com.
• Feeling lucky? From now until Feb. 14, enter-to-win Windward Mall’s Valentine’s Day Staycation Giveaway. Two winners will get a two-night stay at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa. Drop off entries at the mall’s Center Court; www.WindwardMall.com. — Amanda Stevens. Read Sales & Bargains first right here, at Hawaii's Fahion Forum blog. Have a sales or bargain tip? Hit us up at salesandbargaintips@gmail.com.
Paula Begoun, who is also referred to as "The Cosmetics Cop," is a trusted source for information on makeup and skin care. She has spent decades researching the field and has written the definitive books "Don't go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me," which get updated year after year.
I receive her beauty bulletins, www.cosmeticscop.com, and also subscribe to her online reference guide, www.beautypedia.com. I learn a great deal from her about what to try and what to avoid in makeup and skin care. Here's her latest report.
- Paula Rath
We have done several special reports and lists of the best products you can buy at the drugstore, department store, infomercial, spas, and so on. We thought it was time to flip the coin and offer a list of the worst products you should avoid! The list below consists of the worst makeup products at the drugstore.
So, without further ado, here are our picks for the worst makeup products at the drugstore, so you know which items to definitely pass on the next time you’re strolling the drugstore cosmetic aisles. By the way, these aren’t the only worst products, there are many others, so we will start doing these types of lists more often just to help keep your skin and makeup looking beautiful all the time and your budget in shape as well. Of course, you can always visit Beautypedia.com to find comprehensive reviews and lists of the best and worst products.
1. Neutrogena Healthy Skin Cream Powder Makeup SPF 20
Why it’s worst: This antiquated formula fails to provide sufficient UVA protection, has an unpleasant texture, and not a single shade looks like any woman’s skin color anywhere in the world.
2. Cover Girl Clean Makeup
Why it’s worst: A dated formula that spreads unevenly and looks pasty on the skin. It comes in mostly terrible colors and contains several potent irritants that give it a strong, medicinal fragrance.
3. Physicians Formula CoverTox Ten50 Wrinkle Therapy Concealer
Why it’s worst: Where to begin? From the over-the-top claims to the needle-like packaging to the spotty coverage and matte finishes that somehow manages to creep into every large pore and wrinkle, this is simply awful.
4. Cover Girl Cheekers Blush
Why it’s worst: This powder blush has a terribly dry flaky texture that applies unevenly, creating a blotchy appearance and the fragrance, oh my goodness!
5. Boots No7 Perfect Light Pressed Powder
Why it’s worst: With a texture that feels dry and waxy at the same time, this difficult-to-apply powder looks heavy on skin and the shades are mostly too pink or peach.
6. Maybelline New York Shadow Stylist Loose Powder
Why it’s worst: Despite clever packaging and a smooth application, this loose powder eyeshadow tends to flake endlessly even if you dab off the excess from the sponge applicator (which isn’t a good way to apply powder eyeshadow anyway).
7. Rimmel Professional Liquid Eye Liner
Why it’s worst: The long brush makes application trickier than usual but the real Achilles heel is the formula: it takes far too long to dry and smears easily.
8. Wet ‘n’ Wild Eyeliner Pencils
Why it’s worst: For less than one dollar, these need-sharpening pencils are the rare cosmetic instance where you really do get what you pay for. The creamy texture stays that way, which invites smudging and smearing all day long.
9. N.Y.C.(New York Color) Lippin’ Large Lip Plumper
Why it’s worst: Quite possibly the world’s most irritating lip plumper, this shimmer-infused lip gloss plumps lips with several potent irritants, including cinnamon, peppermint, and a menthol derivative. Ouch!
10. Rimmel Volum’ Eyes 5X Volume Comb Mascara
Why it’s worst: We generally praise Rimmel’s mascaras and their best ones are beauty steals—but not this one. The comb applicator deposits way too much mascara and trying to smooth out the globs results in a huge mess. Who wants clumpy, spiked lashes?
Don Marco Salon & Spa is celebrating its second anniversary, with specials all day Friday, Feb. 5. Here's the invite:
You're Invited. BRING A GUEST
Amazing prize giveaways will commence every half hour on the hour. Join us for some tasty food and CHAMPAGNE. This Friday February 5, 2010 All Day.......
Our entire team would like to extend our gratitude to everyone who has supported us. It is an honor for us to reach two years. We are committed to continually providing each of our guests with quality treatments and products for your mind, body and beauty.
CLIENT APPRECIATION DAY
Prepare for the season of Love. On Friday February 5, 2010, Don Marco Salon & Spa will be celebrating our 2 Year Anniversary from 10am - 7pm. All products and services will be specially priced at 20% off non specials only. Simply Sublime and much more. Enjoy free Mini Facials, Free 10 min Massages, or Book A Spa or Salon Special.
• Chocolate Lovers Spa Package. 50min Facial, 50min Massage & foot scrub, finished with a chocolate truffle & Champagne $100
You're most likely to see us around town at shopping and fashion events. On the weekends, we love to browse for beauty and bargains. We are passionate about style.
