"Self expression through b-boying is my way of soul searching and my way of life," says Waikiki b-boy Derek Lopez, who will perform at the Hawai'i premiere of Philly-raised, UH-educated Benson Lee's "Planet B-Boy" as part of the Island Independent Film Festival today. Benson captures that b-boy dedication on a global scale in his first documentary, following crews in Korea, France, Japan and the U.S., ending up at the ultimate dance-off — the Battle of the Year in, uh, Braunschweig, Germany. Lee's first feature, "Miss Monday," won the Sundance Film Festival Special Grand Jury Prize for best actor in 1998, and "Planet B-Boy" screened at this year's Tribeca Film Festival. What did he learn from making his debut doc? "It's not just a bunch of kids trying to make money," says Lee. "It's an art form and a culture."

"Planet B-Boy": 8 p.m., NextDoor 43 N. Hotel St.; after party 9 p.m.-2 a.m. includes exhibition by the Waikiki B-boys, with the Nocturnal Sound Krew on turntables; $10.

— Lacy Matsumoto

OPENINGS

MODELS ARE SO OVER

The future of fashion — or at least fashion shows — debuted Tuesday at Manhattan's Grand Central Station. Target, which will open two stores on O'ahu in 2009, staged a model-free fashion show, featuring high-definition, faceless holograms wearing its new holiday offerings. Without live models, the show began on time and with little hubbub — unheard of with the typical runway show. The clothes all fit and there were no hair and makeup mishaps, either. "A show like this spreads the mission statement that fashion should be democratic," said Isaac Mizrahi, who designs for Target. "It allows someone to see the clothes and envision themselves in it. Models can be intimidating."

— Samantha Critchell, Associated Press

CULT COCOA

New York has a litany of food icons — blistered pizza from Lombardi's, pastrami sandwich at Katz's, the porterhouse at Peter Luger's and the Frrrozen Hot Chocolate at Serendipity 3. Now O'ahuans can make the cult dessert favorite, made with 14 kinds of chocolate, at home — Blush (739-6200) at Kahala Mall just started carrying the restaurant's line of mixes and chocolate bars. A single packet is $5, or get the gift box (includes two drink mixes, a goblet, two straws and a spoon) for $25. At the NYC restaurant, where celebs — including Sofia Coppola and Warren Beatty — stop in for sweet fixes, the icy yet velvety confection is served in a big goblet and topped with whipped cream. See how decadent you can make yours.

— Lesa Griffith

TEXTILE MESSAGE

Looking for ideas for their T-shirt company Wear Hawaii, partners Terri Dux and Karl Miyashiro turned to their children — who turned out to be a gold mine. The result is idkwhat2wear, a line of T-shirts bearing text-message speak. "It started as a joke," says Dux, who with Miyashiro has a day job at Homeworld. "Karl's youngest daughter said that we should come up with a design that said idk, and we said, 'What is that?' And she said 'I don't know.' And we said, 'But what is it?' " (For the terminally analog, it means "I don't know.") Aimed at young adults, the T-shirts also are attracting adults. The duo periodically round up the kids — Garrin Miyashiro, 20, Darci Miyashiro, 18, Kelli Miyashiro, 16 and Laura Dux, 13 — for a brainstorming session. "We make a little party out of it," says Dux. You can find idk at the Islandwide Craft Fair at Blaisdell Nov. 23-25. www.idkwhat2wear.com.

— Lesa Griffith

SO VERY APOTHECARY

When Bernard Fahimian and his wife recently moved to Hawai'i, they didn't come empty-handed. They closed their Los Angeles shop, Bernard's, to open Bernard's of Hawai'i Beauty & Apothecary at Waikiki Beach Walk. Their target: Waikikians weary of trekking to Ala Moana for beauty products and Cali-chic sportswear. Visitors and locals flock to Bernard's for exclusive cosmetics from Australian make-up mogul Napoleon Perdis and luxe skin care from Decléor, Bliss, Carita and Dr. Brandt. Along with the wall o' beauty you'll find play clothes such as Rich & Skinny denim, Scoop NYC ballet flats and attitude-drenched duds from Da-Nang and Kitson LA.

Waikiki Beach Walk, 226 Lewers St., second floor, 923-0356.

— Melissa May White

SALES & BARGAINS