Island Style
French Festival in town
| • | Going for cheap and cheerful |
By Paula Rath
Advertiser Staff Writer
The French have a phrase for it: Je ne sais quoi. It's that certain something that says: Style! And they've got it in spades.
Jeff Widener • The Honolulu Advertiser
Although Hawai'i is 13,000 miles from Paris, upscale boutiques and the annual French Festival keep us up to date with French fashion and culture.
The leg is model Jamie Cook's. The shoe is a ballet-inspired nosebleed-high Chanel stiletto.
If you're craving a dose of French style and fashion, you're in luck. Whether you're a diehard fashionista or not, there's a lot to do and see in Waikiki and Ala Moana this week. And much of it is free. Here is a potpourri.
• "Comment dit on ..." How do you say "How much does it cost" in French? How about "May I please have a cup of coffee?"
Learn these phrases — and more — at French lessons courtesy of the Alliance Francaise at Neiman Marcus, second floor. Today from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., the subject is shopping. Saturday from 2 to 3 p.m. is all about how to order in a French restaurant. "Pommes frites s'il vous plait?"
• Saddle up! A group of 10 art students (selected from a field of 50) will vie for the honors of who can best customize a blue denim saddle bag. You can watch this artistic showdown through the windows of the Dior Ala Moana boutique. The winner, to be announced Nov. 1, receives a scholarship to Paris, of course.
• What's a Hermes Kelly bag? Watch Jocelyne Zerbib craft one of the orange alligator bags this week. It will be auctioned off at the Fashion Ball later in the week.
• Tell me a story ... "In an old house in Paris that was covered with vines ..." begins the French children's classic "Madeleine." The indomitable child, along with Babar and "Goodnight Moon," will be part of a French/English storytelling program presented by Iolani School students Saturday from 11 a.m. to noon, followed by puppet shows and other activities until 3 p.m. in Children's World at Neiman Marcus.
From Minister to Merchant is the theme of "Les Destinees Sentimentales," a French film presented at the Honolulu Academy of Arts theater at 7:30 p.m. today and tomorrow. Admission: $3 for members, $5 general.
• The collections. Experience what you normally only see on the pages of fashion magazines the likes of W, Harper's Bazaar and Vogue. French designer trunk shows include: ballet-inspired cruise 2002 at Chanel on Thursday from noon to 4 p.m. in Ala Moana, Friday from 5 to 9 p.m. in Waikiki and Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. on Maui. At Neiman Marcus: Cruise and spring 2002 collections from Christian Lacroix will be shown Wednesday and Thursday. And all week long, in the Neiman Marcus men's department, men can learn a thing or two about the French way of dressing.
Jeff Widener • The Honolulu Advertiser
Watch for special-edition items created for the French Festival in Hawai'i: Christian Dior: "Malice Sparkle" tank-style watch, French Festival pins in red, blue and black and exclusive color combinations of John Galliano's "Chris '47" watch. Hermes: a set of limited-edition mugs and the "Sac a Cabas," and a mini canvas bag in Hermes orange. Celine: a blue embossed suede handbag and wallet with a placard reading "French Festival Hawaii 2001." Chanel: exclusive silk mousseline scarf of red, white and blue and the launch of "Ciel d'Amour" ring and necklace.
Jamie Cook, a Punahou student and Advertiser fashion forum member, demonstrates a hair bow in the style of Coco Chanel.
• Makeup magic. Experiment with a new look at cosmetic events at Dior, Sephora, DFS Galleria, Chanel and Neiman Marcus. Smoky eyes and heavy eyebrows with light lips or natural eyes with va-va-voom fuchsia lips?
• Journey through time. Louis Vuitton Waikiki is presenting a free historical exhibition showcasing four patterns dating from 1854 through 1901. Talk about traveling in customized style — there's the Noe, a case intended for a French champagne producer to carry five of his finest bottles.
• TECHnique MODErne. What did Nicole Kidman wear to the premier of her film "The Others"? Chanel, bien sur. A sure hit that is scheduled to make an appearance at the French Festival Fashion Ball 2001 on Saturday.
Haute couture is so exclusive that only 1,500 people (from all over the world) are invited to the Paris showings. And seldom would there be more than one designer on the same runway. Yet Honolulu will host this gala event featuring haute couture by Chanel and Christian Lacroix and pret a porter by Christian Dior.
To add to the exclusivity, this year Dior is unveiling part of the spring 2002 collection for the first time anywhere. Not even the international fashion press will see these clothes before they are presented in Honolulu.
What will the haute couture fashions be like? Chanel will show pants of every persuasion for every hour of the day or night, from slim chiffon to full tweed. Lacroix gives a nod to the nomad with corseted busts over long stem-like legs sheathed in pants and layered with tiny skirts and rumpled petticoats.
Need to know more about festival events? Visit the French Festival 2001 Web site.
