Ladies who think pink

By Paula Rath
Advertiser Staff Writer

Left: Raena Cassidy models a Carmen Marc Valvo dress. Center: Ann Waid shows off a Sue Wong beaded floral silk gown. Right: Model Jamie Cook, who is also an Advertiser fashion forum member, takes a Christian LaCroix flirty silk dress for a spin in front of the audience at the recent Neiman Marcus fashion show. Photos by Deborah Booker • The Honolulu Advertiser

This MiuMiu bag is in vogue, having shown up on the Milan fashion runway and at a Honolulu showing.

Spring styles at the mall A sampling of trends we spotted around Honolulu: Softly draped and layered skirts inspired by the ballet, at Guess, Arden B. and Chanel Fruity shades of lemon, lime, tangerine, watermelon and papaya, at Banana Republic, Rafael and Forever 21 Polka dots and paisleys at Macy's and Ann Taylor Lingerie looks with satin ribbon trim and lots of ruffles at Arden B. and Macy's Unusual shades of green, from peridot to emerald, lime and turquoise, at MaxMara and Rafael Feminine crisp '50s-style dresses with ribbons at the waist at White House/Black Market and Neiman Marcus

The most talked-about accessory was Elizabeth Lacy's arm cast and sling.

Lacy, who is chairing Contempo, the April 24 sold-out fund-raiser for the Contemporary Museum to be held at Neiman Marcus, was injured when "a novice surfer spun out and came across my board and caught me in my left arm, breaking the interial radial forearm" at her favorite break, Canoes.

Lacy now has a stainless-steel plate with seven eight-inch screws to hold her arm together, permanently. For now, her sling is an institutional blue and white, but she has commissioned artist/designer Joey Caldarone to paint and embellish it to match her gown for the black-tie event.

She'll be wearing pink — the color of the season — in a Melinda Eng gown from Neiman Marcus with a Grecian influence, draping gracefully from shoulder to bodice, floating down to an asymmetrical hem.

Honolulu's social set

The fashion show, put on by Neiman Marcus for the women who support the Contemporary Museum, offered a glimpse into the Who's Who of Honolulu's social set.

Dressed in feminine skirts and sweater sets, chic linen pants suits and a dazzling array of diamonds, women enjoyed a show that captured the feminine, flirtatious spirit of spring 2004.

Neiman Marcus served a bite-size brunch on pastel plates embellished with fashion sketches.

The show opened with athletically inspired looks in brights and white: flat-front pants with shrunken jackets and Pucci tops.They're technical designs in luxurious fabrics — it's body-conscious urban sportswear with a tropical twist.

Accessories are as colorful and exciting as the clothes: turquoise strappy sandals, pale pink stilettos embellished with bows, handbags with details, details and more details.

Evening looks were also body-conscious, but in a ladylike, flowing way. Layers of chiffon, a plethora of pleats and details such as gaudets and ruffles added to the allure.

Every shade of pink, from a whisper-soft ballet pink to a sizzling hot pink, was on the runway. Other colors included sky blue, peach, lime green, lemon yellow and tangerine. A little black was in evidence, a nod to our local love affair with black after five.

Polka dots, paisleys, Pucci prints and even a smattering of Marimmeko-inspired '60s mod graphics replaced the usual sedate monochromatic palette.

The Grecian look of a softly pleated, sculptural bodice was featured in several gowns and elicited ahhhhhs from the audience. This is a figure-forgiving drape, often appreciated by women past 35.

Many of the tops were corseted, cinched and boned, almost lingerie-like on top, while skirts were gently constructed with multiple seams and layers to add grace and movement.

A show-stopper was the BCBG pink rabbit-fur bolero jacket paired with a lace-beaded ball skirt by Chetta B. Eliciting applause was a blush gown with pleated top and tiered skirt by Victoria Royale; from each tier hung a mini-chandelier of seed pearls and beads.

Down to reality

As is often the case when the runway meets reality, several women opined there was nothing for them in the show.

Overheard was the comment: "I don't know what I'm going to wear, but I can't wear what those tiny models wear. I need sleeves!"

Others, however, went shopping. Georgiana Lagoria, executive director of the Contemporary Museum, tried on a layered black silk chiffon gown with a flowing white scarf affixed to the shoulder. Cherye Pierce fell in love with an Issey Miyake gown, while Vi Loo was scouring the second-floor Galleria hoping to find the perfect dress.

Whether shopping for prom or a black-tie affair, this is the season to be prim and proper. It's all about femininity with a flourish. After all, even Madonna has traded in her torpedo bra for a tweed suit.