Nadine Kam photos
Jewelry designer Sheryl Lowe dropped into Neiman Marcus for a Mother's Day trunk show.

For all the gem lovers who turned up at Neiman Marcus May 4, jewelry from Sheryl Lowe Designs was just one of the main attractions for Mother's Day shopping. The other was the chance opportunity of also meeting Sheryl's husband, actor Rob Lowe.

Sheryl was slated to be on the jewelry floor from noon, though Rob was flying in that day and wasn't due at the store until about 2 p.m. I didn't arrive until about 2:30 because I was working on a feature on Gatsby-style hair to coincide with the opening of Baz Luhrmann's "The Greaty Gatsby," and creating the look is not a quick process.

By then, the Lowes had headed to lunch, which meant I had some time to check out Sheryl's designs before they were due back.

Sheryl has been a Hollywood makeup artist for more than 20 years, and married to Rob just as long.

Sheryl's multi-colored, multi-textured collections are versatile enough to be mixed, matched, worn singly or stacked.

In 2007, inspired by her world travels—and years of acquiring treasures from the Seychelles, North Africa, India and the Middle East—she created jewelry for a small group of friends. Due to the enthusiastic response and advice from longtime friend Maria Shriver, she formalized her jewelry line, Sheryl Lowe Designs, donating a portion of sales to women's and children's charities.

On her return from her lunch break, Sheryl said she loves the idea of mixing metals with earth, "the texturing, the layering, the mixing of color with metal. I just love the mix."

There is such a wide range of materials incorporated into her designs, that at first, it's overwhelming to see an array of Yemen black coral beads, next to displays of rose-cut diamonds from India, sandalwood beads, baroque pearls, and even bracelets and necklaces strung with discs of upcycled, colored vinyl records.

And yet, as a busy woman herself, she said the pieces are designed to be versatile and stackable, so a woman can buy one piece this year, add a totally different piece next year, wear them day or evening, together or separately, and have them mesh well.

In person, Kami Jennings, one of Sheryl's assistants dressed in her jewelry, is a ringer for Jennifer Lawrence, which she hears all the time.

"It's all one story," she said, though for her, the story is more involved.

"The jewelry remind me of where I went, of the topography of the land, the colors and what women wore. When I think of Sardinia, I think of the blues, the corals and greens. In London, gray, and in Paris, the golds."

Prior to starting her business, the beads sat at home in bowls around the house, and Sheryl said it was never a problem because Rob also appreciated them. Among her collections is a men's line simply called Rob. All her collections are named after her friends.

"He loves that I'm passionate about creating. He wears my designs all the time and he has a great eye. He especially loves the sandalwood and Yemen coral."

Although Rob didn't go back to the jewelry counter, some people insisted I go and stalk him in the men's department, where he was doing some shopping. As it happened, he was coming down the escalator while I was going up, so he graciously agreed to a photo. He's holding a batch of his wife's jewelry, from the Rob collection created for men, but just as easily worn by women.

Antique Yemen black coral beads, studded with silver inlays, can pair with many a contemporary outfit.

These colorful bracelet discs are cut from old vinyl records.

Cameron Diaz owns one of Sheryl Lowe's ohm meditative necklaces.

One of Sheryl's collaborations is the Her collection of leather bracelets incorporating leather from Hermès.

Nadine Kam photos
Nordstrom shoppers were invited to "Mix and Mingle with Rebecca Minkoff" on March 26.

Rebecca Minkoff fans don't know how close they came to missing her work because the designer almost gave up on her design dream in 2005.

Minkoff was at Nordstrom Honolulu—one of only four stores she'd visit on this trip (the others are in California and Chicago)—on March 26 to introduce her Spring/Summer 2013 collection of clothing and handbag designs, and I had 10 minutes to get her to tell all.

She got her start designing clothing, but considering she's best known for her handbags, so I asked whether she was surprised to discover her affinity for designing bags and how quickly her career took off because of it.

"It shocked me, because I was about to give up when it caught on and I said, 'Omigod, there is a God,' " she said. "Really, I was trying to do everything by myself all the time, I had run out of money and didn't know what to do next. To me it was a sign to keep going."

The “Morning After Bag,” or the “M.A.B.” ignited Rebecca’s career in 2005 and inspired the “downtown romantic” designs that now define her work.

From left, Nordstrom's Maria Bernardo, Rebecca Minkoff and stylist Crystal Pancipanci.

Although she said she tries to keep her own needs in mind when designing bags, she really thinks about her clients and has created a niche by thinking about life's firsts, from a girl's first date, to first love, her first job and first experience with motherhood.

I see her Craig Camera crossbody bag ($195) in my future after spotting it on the Nordstrom floor, with cool lines and the depth of a hard leather vintage camera case. She explained the crossbody came about from her observation of bloggers and how they're constantly fumbling with cameras in their hands and notetaking. "I thought I'd give them a place to put their camera, that's also stylish."

Nordstrom.com
Rebecca Minkoff's Craig crossbody camera bag.

After four years of designing statement-making handbags and accessories with her trademark leathers, studs and edgy hardware, Rebecca returned to her roots and introduced her first ready-to-wear collection in 2009.

Nordstrom is carrying her Spring 2013 collection, inspired by the photographer Slim Aarons, known for his glamorous and iconic 1960s and '70s photographs of socialites, jet-setters and celebrities as they lounged poolside.

Minkoff’s latest collection that evokes that same carefree, beach-like spirit, and looking at the ombre floral print of Minkoff's silk jumpsuit or Couric top, it's easy to imagine a bit of Hawaii in the ease of wear and color combinations,

It turns out that Rebecca has fond childhood memories of vacationing in Kona since she was 2 years old, when her father brought the family to the islands to stay while he competed in Ironman triathlons.

Hawaii remains a special place to her family. Her brother got married in Kailua in 2005. She had considered marrying here as well, but said, "When your brother does something, you have to do something different." So she held her wedding in Italy in 2009.

Although she said she always loved fashion and received her first Vogue subscription at 8 years old, because she grew up in an athletic family, wearing her brother's hand-me-down clothing, she still considers herself a tomboy and defines her style as "sexy tomboy," which resonates with the attitude and active lifestyles of women today.

Fans wait in line to meet Rebecca Minkoff, near a display of her classic M.A.C. shoulder bags and M.A.B. leather totes.

Minkoff in her own Spring 2013 silk floral print jumpsuit, with Ki-ele jewelry designer Marylea Conrad.

Minkoff eyewear on display.

Savannah Tatreau tries on a pair of the designer's new Carmine sunglasses with blonde tortoise finish, $220.

Near the store's cosmetic department entrance, a display of Minkoff apparel and handbags.

Amy Davis illustration
Margeaux in a Maui Girl bikini, Ki-ele and Q-pot. jewelry, with Happy Haleiwa shopping bag and Sanuk footwear.

I have styled my fair share of magazine pictorials, but a lunch meetup with former isle resident, Paper fashion illustrator, musician, actress, and, well, all-around artiste Amy Davis led to a first, a Hawaii collaboration for her new fashion + food blog, Yummy Dress.

I write about fashion + food, so we're simpatico, though she wasn't working the food angle when we formally met a few years ago when she was back in town as a guest artist for Le Sportsac, for whom she'd created four prints over two years.

This time around, she was back in town from Santa Fe, with longtime partner in art and life, Jon Moritsugu, before heading on to the Chicago Underground Film Festival for the March 8 world premiere of their new film, "Pig Death Machine." The dynamic duo also picked up the fest's Lifetime Achievement Award.

Of course, Hawaii is full of yummy clothes, so when it came to dressing Margeaux, I suggested a few Hawaii brands and was happy to see some of them on Margeaux. Of course the best part about dressing an illustration, there was no running around picking up and droppig off merchandise, and no heavy lifting. Love it!

Nadine Kam photo
Amy Davis and Jon Mortisugu at Taste Table, when Margeaux was still a line drawing and vision in Amy's head.

A trio of Amy's Style Fiends from Paper magazine.

Nadine Kam photos
At Kahala Mall's "Unlock Your Style" event, Tyson Joines was emcee and stylist for models Michelle Baillie, left, and Janna Fong. Michelle is in a caftan from 33 Butterflies, and Janna's dress is from Ralph Lauren for Macy's. Michelle's necklace is from Cinnamon Girl.

Kahala Mall launched its spring season March 9 during its “Unlock Your Style” event that had shoppers lining up earlyat the mall's Center Court to recieve one of 250 keys that made them eligible for shopping deals and discounts, prizes and access to a VIP lounge for consultations with stylists and makeup pros, and a candy bar featuring sweets in spring colors.

Anyone in the mall could watch breezy 20-minute Trend Sessions at Center Court, during which fashion professionals shared the latest in hair and makeup, and ways to incorporate the season’s trends into one’s wardrobe.

Although many people think of getting dressed up as an arduous endeavor, it was great for people to see how easy it is to transform a look from casual to dressy in a mere 5 minutes.

While there, I ran into stylist Allie Lee, who I haven't seen in ages. Checking out my mini Tory Burch Amanda crossbody bag in teal, she goes, "I guess we both got the memo," referring to her own mini crossbody bag. Most people can't believe how we can cram life's essentials into those small bags, but I'd rather have a small bag that allows me to travel light and forces me to empty it at the end of the day, than a giant tote that becomes a museum for ancient artifacts.

The lineup.

The keys, attached to passports directing shoppers to stores offering discounts of 20 to 30 percent.

Inside the VIP Lounge, a candy bar offered sweet treats in spring trend colors.

A model in a season's basic striped dress shows how the look goes from casual, to dressy below, by swapping the denim jacket for a vivid yellow blazer from Macy's. The belt goes over the jacket, and an orange satchel adds another pop of spring color. One of four style transformations by Brie Thalmann and Stacey Makiya, including two more below.

After the event, the key can become a fashion statement, as Morgan Childs, founder of Moana Events, demonstrates.

(more...)

Nadine Kam photos
Maui manager Misty was in town to help with the grand opening of Ross Dress for Less's new King Street store on March 8. She was handing out free shopping bags to all, while supplies lasted.

Two new Ross Dress for Less stores opened their doors March 8 at the Laulani Village Shopping Center in Ewa, and in Honolulu, where Longs used to be in Moiliili.

True to form, at the Honolulu store it seemed everyone's uncle and auntie was already there shopping by the time I got there at midday. It's as if there's nothing to do in Honolulu except charge the next big retail opening. It's funny how people try to save $—prices at Ross are regularly 20 to 60 percent off department store prices—by spending $! But, if you were going to shop for a new spring wardrobe, baby luau gift, housewares or luggage, etc., anyway, it all makes sense.

It was crazy trying to get in, when the parking lot was jammed with people arriving, and people leaving with their purchases.

Inside, I spotted a lot of men gathered around the watch counter, and people congregated around the specialty foods and housewares aisles. There were also plenty of women shopping for new shoes and handbags. Just as at other Ross stores, there are luggage, infant, kids, beauty and accessories departments as well. No doubt some of the assortment has been spurred by new competition that has entered the market since the company opened its last store here, and more competition makes consumers the winners.

Spring trend items were abundant, and in coming weeks, Ross will be launching a Shoe Madness promotion, giving shoppers the opportunity to win a $100 gift card each week for four weeks.

As a warm-up act, Ross is sending me a $25 gift card and want one of Hawaii's fashion tribe to go shopping with $25, which goes a lot further at Ross than most other stores! (If you're reading from somewhere else, sorry but this contest is for Hawaii readers only.)

Just let me know if you're interested in winning a $25 gift card and I'll add your name to a drawing and pull the winner on St. Patrick's Day.
_______

The new stores are at:

>> Laulani Village Shopping Center, 91-1085 Keaunui Drive, Ewa Beach, 808.685.0966
>> 2220 S. King S., Honolulu, 808.941.1033

Hours are:
9:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mondays to Saturdays
9 a.m.  to 10:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays
9:30 a.m.  to 9:30 p.m. Sundays

Kim Delos Santos shows a lace skirt priced at $12.99. Lace is one of the trends for spring 2013.

A designer handbags section rivals that of another recent entry to the discount retail market.

More handbags in variations of spring's green/blue trend.

Shoppers try on hats. (Easter's around the corner for those in need of spring bonnets.)

Collar-style and clear necklaces in the jewelry counter at the front of the Honolulu store.

Colorful dresses for little girls.

Infant blankets.

Stripes are another spring trend. Parked next to the rack is one woman's full cart.

Wedges in spring colors. The strappy orange pair on the right are $18.99.

Beauty products are also very reasonably priced.

Order at the checkout counter.