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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Friday, October 19, 2007

Exotic finds coming to Turkish bazaar

By Paula Rath
Advertiser Staff Writer

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

The Chinatown Turkish Bazaar will feature hats from Kyrgyzstan.

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Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Mizuki

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Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Maggie Coulombe

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Back from a three-month shopping trip in Turkey, Cynthia Ucarer, the Maui-based owner of import business Global Caravan, just opened a warehouse space in Ha'iku and will bring her newest collection to Ho-nolulu for a pre-Christmas sale.

Her exotic finds hail from all over Central Asia. In addition to Turkish carpets, kilims and camel bags, she collected carpets and textiles from Afghanistan and Azerbaijan and silver from Uzbekistan.

This was Ucarer's 10th Turkey trip, and her favorite find was folk art crafted from wool felt by a Kyrgyzstan tribal women's village cooperative. Look for fanciful mermaids, angels and animals that make great Christmas ornaments, as well as hats with a touch of whimsy.

Tribal and modern jewelry, hand-painted ceramics, pashminas and shawls, belly dance scarves, belts and perfume oils are among the other treasures Ucarer will sell at her fifth annual Chinatown Turkish Bazaar. This year it will be held at a new venue, the Louis Pohl Gallery, which will be open daily, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., from Monday through Nov. 3. Information: cynthia@globalcaravan.com or 808-281-5171.

MIZUKI JEWELRY SHOW

New York-based jewelry designer Mizuki was born in Japan, raised in New York and studied sculpture at the School of Visual Arts. She makes her first Honolulu appearance from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and tomorrow at Neiman Marcus.

The store carries her SoHo Collection, crafted from braided leather, Tahitian pearls and black diamonds. She also makes bead bracelets of wood, onyx, alabaster and turquoise. She'll present a trunk show of 10-karat gold pieces from her couture collection.

MAGGIE IN CHINATOWN

Hollywood celebs such as Teri Hatcher, Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie wear the silk and cotton frocks of Lahaina's Maggie Coulombe, but O'ahu fashionistas have had to go to Maui to find her high-end line. Until now.

Coulombe has just opened a by-appointment showroom in Chinatown. True to her philosophy of individual service and fittings for her clients, she has hired stylist Blaine Ashley to oversee the Honolulu operation. At any given time, Coulombe offers about 30 styles in 15 colors.

Minimum order: five-pieces, with prices running from $250 to $500 per piece. This is investment dressing.

Maggie Coulombe showroom: 1111 Nu'uanu Ave., second floor. To make an appointment, e-mail promotions@blaineashley.com, beginning Monday.

ALLISON IZU DENIM

Honolulu designer Allison Izu made a strong (some might say shocking) fashion statement during Honolulu Fashion Week at Urban Pacific at NextDoor. Her models came out wearing her sleek, chic denim jeans (designed specially for petite women), skirts and Bermuda shorts — and practically nothing else (unless you count a few perilous pasties and long strings of pearls and chains). The anticipated denim line is part of Izu's spring 2008 collection and won't be available until early 2008, when Rockabella will carry it. For an advance peek at samples, visit Rockabella from 2 to 6 p.m. tomorrow.

HEATHER KRATY SHOW

Cottage by the Sea in Ward Warehouse is hosting a trunk show of Heather Kraty's jewelry this weekend. She will be at the store from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. tomorrow and Sunday. Among her latest designs is Friends of the Ocean, a bracelet that celebrates Hawai'i's coastline and marine life. Information: 347-3878.

ROBERTA OAKS SHOW

Roberta Oaks will unveil her fall and holiday looks at a fashion show at 11 p.m. tomorrow. It's part of a Skyline event at the Sheraton Waikiki's Hanohano Room.

Oaks' feminine frocks will be accessorized with Fresh Jewelry and hair and makeup by Urban Life. Information: info@robertaoaks.com.

FACE OF NU'UANU

The FACE of Nu'uanu fashion shows on Saturday featured the work of nearly 30 up-and-coming fashion designers. Participants ranged in age (9 to 86) and experience. Some showed off extreme sewing skills while others deconstructed vintage garments and pinned them back together.

The crowd didn't add up to last year's 10,000 viewers, but the spectacle rewarded the stalwart. Chinatown boutique Bad Sushi offered exotic entertainment, while New York designer Michael Kaye presented his Island-inspired evening gowns.

Design competition winners: Day Wear, first place, Andrew Southiphong; runner-up, Min-young Moisa Nica. Hawaiian Wear, first place, Kini Zamora; runner-up, A'ima McManus. Resort Wear, first place, Katrina Bodnyk; runner-up, Allan Carrell. Evening Wear, first place, Sebastian Keanu Toulouse; runner-up, Frieda Hulse. Most promising, first place, Ron Kayano; runner-up, Christina Viernes. Pamela Young Designer Award, Allan Carrell.

Reach Paula Rath at paularath@aol.com.