An Island wardrobe for the Obamas — got any ideas?
By Paula Rath
Advertiser Staff Writer
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Did you notice that Barack and Michelle Obama never wore aloha attire during their O'ahu vacation? Advertiser reader Merilyn Gray of Kailua did; she called to ask why some savvy aloha wear manufacturers didn't give them appropriate aloha wear. Well, why not? Obama was born and raised here, after all. Shouldn't he have some aloha shirts in his wardrobe?
Gray's call got me thinking. What would work for the power couple as they head into the final months of the campaign? What might they wear to honor his Hawai'i heritage that would not look out of place on the Mainland campaign trail?
We think a Tori Richard silk aloha shirt in the Tapa Work print from fall 2008 would look great on Barack. For a less-dressy occasion, perhaps a print by Avi Kiriaty for Tori Richard. As for Michelle, Mamo's bold, sophisticated Ulu print blouse in red on black would work well, paired with a black pencil skirt. For a mu'umu'u-like look, how about Princess Kaiulani Fashions' style 9481 in the green-and-white maile print?
Dale Hope of Kahala Sportswear could see Barack in a long-sleeved cotton shirt — from Kahala, natch. The author of "The Aloha Shirt: Spirit of the Islands" said this solution would work well on the Mainland and would suit the sartorially conservative senator's style.
What do you think? We'd love to hear from readers about what Island styles you would choose for Barack and Michelle Obama. Comment on this story online at www.honoluluadvertiser.com, or e-mail paularath@aol.com.
TREND EVENT AT NEIMAN MARCUS
This is the final weekend of the Trend Event at Neiman Marcus, featuring fall 2008 head-to-toe looks. Among the events throughout the Ala Moana store:
MOOPILAND AT SHASA EMPORIUM
Moopiland is a cutesy, feminine line created by the Honolulu husband-and-wife team of Keiko and Arne Knudson. Named after their nickname for their daughter, Moopi, the line consists of dresses for women and girls, bags, totes and accessories. The handbags feature anime inspired characters such as Lulu, Katsu (a pig, of course) and Cat. All are handmade in Honolulu. Keiko will be showcasing lots of new fall items during a trunk show from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. tomorrow at Shasa Emporium in Kahala Mall.
For more information, call Shasa Emporium at 735-5122.
BERNARD FOONG INTRODUCES WEDDING LINE
Maui fashion designer Bernard Foong has just introduced two wedding collections he calls Romantique and Elegance. The Romantique dresses are formal wedding gowns with lavish details such as beads and embroidery. The Elegance collection consists of dresses with simpler silhouettes for a more casual, beachy wedding. The Wailea-based designer can be reached via e-mail at bernard@bernardfoong.com or by phone in his studio at 808-875-9920.
FERRAGAMO GOES GREEN
Italian luxury-wear company Salvatore Ferragamo has joined the green gang with a new undyed, eco-friendly line of handbags. It's called Natura, and the bags are made from the bark of the wild Mutuba fig tree. The patented process provides a material that is supple and workable. No chemicals or machinery are used to produce this unique fabric. The Natura line is available in the Ferragamo stores at the Royal Hawaiian Center and Ala Moana Center.
FASHIONISTA'S MARKET RETURNS
Fashionista's Market will present a "Fierce and Fabulous Summer Sale" from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. tomorrow in the Honolulu Design Center's Cupola Theater. The Style Sisters have reloaded their inventory with styles from T Bags, Tokidoki, Harajuku Lovers, Jully Kang Black Label and Hale Bob Paris, to name a few. In addition to the shopping bargains, Hifi, the Hawai'i Fashion Incubator, will have a membership and information table at the event.
Reach Paula Rath at paularath@aol.com.
