project runway recap: a look in the line

i suspect most, if not all, of the project runway fans have watched last week's episode which challenged the remaining six designers to whip up an activewear look for heidi klum's debut collection for new balance. a twist soon came a-calling and, with the addition of two more looks, designers from episodes past returned to lend a hand.

onscreen, andy south stayed away from the inevitable sewing room drama between ivy higa and her S8 nemesis michael c., and focused his energy on producing light, modern pieces appropriate for both athletics and lounging about town.

hknb collection

as promised, the three winning looks andy presented on the runway found their way into the hknb collection and can be purchased on amazon in a handful of colorways (available sizes: s-xl). the fabrication is a cozy tencel/cotton/cashmere blend, although the hoodie design appears to have undergone a modification (too similar to lululemon's logo, perhaps?).

price point for andy's hknb offerings range from $98 to $168.

andy: make it work! | judgement day | norma kamali's take | video diary

and, click over to the designers dish for their take on this week's runway happenings.

did any of andy's hknb looks make it to your wishlist?

{photo credit: barbara nitke, lifetime television}

aloha friday scoop

final days to knock 20% off all special orders &/or your favorite in-stock item during pacific home's fall event.

• when: now to mon, oct 11th
• where: 420 ward avenue
• shop hours: mon to sat, 10a to 7p & sun, 10a to 5p

mu'umu'u heaven celebrates the debut of ny artist tony shortway's striking glass paintings to the in-store gallery with live music, tasty sips by josh welch of onopops, and bites cooked up by the always delicious town.

• when: sat, oct 9th - 4p to 8p
• where: 767 kailua road, kailua
• show dates: sat, oct 9th to sun, nov 14th

scoop up screenprinted delights by ccdoodle when designer christy chung stops by split obsession for an afternoon trunk show.

• when: sat, oct 9th - 1p to 4p
• where: split obsession, ala moana (second level by neiman marcus)
• fyi: purchases over $30 will take home a small surprise.

Click to read more ...

introducing acacia swimwear

naia

a recent facebook query made me realize that not everyone shares my preference for more modest swimwear silhouettes. then i happened upon the bikini bird blog (a maui-based must read for those on the lookout for pretty beach looks) and discovered the very ooh la la offerings by acacia swimwear which just may convince even the most demure among us to consider a cheeky backside.

the line was started by maui girl naomi newirth whose passion for homemade bikinis eventually led to a fashion degree at fidm. upon the launch of the debut collection from bali last year, naomi's friend lyndie irons (andy's missus who now calls kauai home) joined the acacia 'ohana in designing the most fetching bikinis and one pieces that would appeal to the readership of both vogue and the sports illustrated swimsuit issue.

acacia is all about wearable details and naomi and lyndie effortlessly employ bohemian fringe, sweet ruffles and coquettish crochet throughout their 2010 collection. all the pieces are designed for their "gypsetter" lifestyle with the very flirty bottoms inspired by the sexy cuts found in italy and brazil.

sage * quinn * olly

pretty linings * nihoa

marley * luka * missy

with fabric sourced from italy and custom printed linings sewn inside for a sweet surprise, expect to pay $176 for a bikini and $187 for a one piece.

order up your favorite style in acacia's online shop or pop into your neighborhood stockist (including guava shop in haleiwa and ginger & koi in kona) for a peek.

{mahalo bikini bird!}

photo.phile: jyoti mau

the drizzly skies hovering over my neighborhood today seemed to brighten while gathering up images for today's photo.phile. i recently became reacquainted with the work of jyoti mau, and found myself blissfully intrigued by the most magical peeks underwater. (fyi: a mu'umu'u heaven invite deserves credit for the introduction.) the oahu photographer also captures the most evocative settings from her travels, and her hollywood series is resonating with me at the moment with its cotton candy skies combined with the twinkle of lights spread far across the city.

i hope you enjoy these glimpses of jyoti's work . . . after all, they were filed away for a rainy day!

{photo.phile notes}

what inspired you to pick up a camera and start clicking?
i can't remember, although i do recall being quite young and feeling something glorious every time i went to longs to pick up my prints. the anticipation was great because i adored looking at these tiny rectangles of wonder. they always gave me more to think about and the surprise of what i was about to behold was purely fun. i loved seeing people and things in photographs, and i appreciated how i could be taken back into specific experiences and moments in a finer way.

with time i developed a sensitivity towards the act of framing a photo and i also found myself becoming more critical of composition. photography seems to have always been a natural extension of innate desires and i continue to be grateful for the satisfaction that i'm given from this simple act.

photography muses that spark your imagination?
years ago i worked for a kind photographer named paul chesley. he has taken hundreds of thousands of images in his career - all prior to our digital era. he worked extensively for national geographic for the past four decades and his images of the pacific and asia in particular are so beautiful. i am very thankful for the time we spent together where i was able to learn, merely through looking at his hundreds of thousands of slides, what can make an image last in one's mind.

also i am always impressed by the work of mario testino. i find his work truly compelling, and it has brought new ideas into my life that i am very thankful for.

kelly [condor]'s work is so carefully thought out and so unique. i have always been inspired by her since the first moment we met several years ago. she's a dear friend and an honest artist. she creates beauty all around her and im always moved to think higher when i see what she's up to.

my sweet mother has an amazing eye. she is naturally gifted in effortlessly seeing things in nature that seem to appear to only her. i truly adore her photographs of our islands. her work makes me appreciate hawaii even more.

favorite island moment caught on "film"?
there are many, but all seem to be of my godchildren at different beaches. probably because for 9 years they have been my most fanciful of subjects here in the islands. a particular image that stands out is from an afternoon where my twin god daughters couldn't stop running their happy little bodies around the vast beach of polihale. their dark skin and hair against the golds of the sand and the whites of the 'ehukai made some beautiful moments.

which camera stays close by for everyday shooting?
my well loved and well used yashica. the one i have now is so magical. thank you keith.

pay it forward with the best photography advice shared with you:
keep taking pictures.

local delights that are a must in your beach picnic basket?
a govinda's guava juice and some apple bananas.

mahalo jyoti!

project runway recap: there's a pattern here

{fyi: if you are more than an episode behind stop reading now or risk spoiling your PR-marathon}

textile design returned for another project runway challenge and the enthusiasm in the workroom always makes me wonder if the designers are unaware of spoonflower? now that andy south is the last hawaii designer this season, he not only got to create his own fabric (based on a memory, natch) which would be used to produce this week's look, but enjoyed a happy surprise in this two hanky episode.

alas, unintended consequences soon followed. let's discuss in the comments section, shall we?

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

and, the remaining seven contestants gather round for this week's designers dish.

p.s. if you are missing big island girl ivy higa, take a peek at tim gunn's exit chat with the local designer which was missing from the last recap.

{photo credit: barbara nitke, lifetime television}