ISLAND LIFE SHORTS
Call it Noho
Advertiser Staff
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Amid the cheong sams and mu'umu'u of Chinatown, you now can find clothes from Belgian designers Raf Simon and Dries van Noten — two of the labels that MixMix carries. Running the new boutique is Maria Garrido Gabaldón, who has an eye for clean, contemporary lines. From Spain, she was at fashion school in Italy where she made a Japanese friend, who in turn introduced her to MixMix owner Fumihiro Nakamura. The retailer and designer hired her to open his white-box boutique, which reeks with chic, down to the reproduction Mies van der Rohe furniture. On the racks is men's and women's wear from Vogue names such as Kris van Assche (he's also Dior's artistic director), Rick Owens and Veronique Branquinho. Accessories come in the form of Cula bags from Japan (only 100 of each model are made) and Brazilian Herchcovitch, or Alexandre plastic sandals. Coming this spring: Marc by Marc Jacobs and Alexander McQueen. The DJ station will be in full use on First Friday.
MixMix: 1133 Bethel St., across from Hawai'i Theatre, 544-0011; 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays.
— Lesa Griffith
SALES & BARGAINS
— Pualana Lemelle
RELEASES
REALITY BEETS
If you're a fan of NBC's "The Office," you know the Oct. 18 episode saw the show expand its real-life online presence. The show has already launched www.dundermifflininfinity.com, the site of its fictional paper company. The recent episode featured office nerd Dwight Schrute (Rainn Wilson, left) and his beet farm cum agrotourism spot ("it's much more than a bed and breakfast"), along with repeated references to reviews of the farm on TripAdvisor. And lo, there really is an entry for "Schrute Farms," in Honesdale, Pa. The listing includes photographs and "reviews." Go to www.tripadvisor.com and do a search for "Schrute Farms" to post your own comments. As one reviewer raves, "it's unbeetable!"
— Ava Gacser, (East Brunswick, N.J.) Home News Tribune
ANNIE GET YOUR SONGS
Annie Lennox, the queen of new-wave cool, is back with "Songs of Mass Destruction" (Arista/Sony BMG). At 52, her voice is as emotive and soulful as it was when she sang in the '80s synth-pop duo Eurythmics. On this classy effort, Lennox is in commanding form. "Songs of Mass Destruction" is only her third album of new solo material in 15 years, but one listen will take you back to the glory days of "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)" and "Here Comes the Rain Again." Lennox burns the torch at both ends on the intense rocker "Love Is Blind," delivering a bravura performance as she pleads, "Oh lover make me yours again/Even though your thrill is gone."
— Martin Bandyke, Detroit Free Press
THE NIGHT SPA
Want a manicure with your martini? The "beauty bar" concept — mixing salon treatments with a night out — is hot in L.A. and New York, and is now glamorizing nightcrawlers in Hawai'i. Megan Mayhem started the monthly Beauty Bar at Mercury Bar, where you can order a facial, massage, makeup touch-up, manicure, or pedicure with your cosmo. "My favorite service is the facial — it's a scrub, a mask, and a facial massage," says Maymen. Although she created the event to pamper women, "Honestly, the majority of clients are men," she says. Treatment prices range from $10 to $30 and all include a cocktail. Beauty Bar is open first Mondays of the month from 8 to 11 p.m.
Mercury Bar: 1154 Fort Street Mall, entrance on Chaplain Lane, 521-2519.
— Lacy Matsumoto
ARM CANDY
Local designer Leslee Giovale-Texeira's one-of-a-kind bags reveal her artist's eye for color. Made of sturdy felted wool, with embellishments like handmade ceramic buttons and crocheted details, the sturdy Tropical Crush purses come in Crayola combos that make them look good enough to eat. Giovale-Texeira also invites you to design your own. The bags sell for $29 to $120 (sometimes more for special orders). Find them at: Pacific Handcrafters Guild fairs (the next one's on Dec. 8 and 9), Hualalai Gift Shop on the Big Island and at www.tropicalcrush.com.
— Paula Rath
WHAT'S ON YOUR IPOD?
Vegas Mike, DJ at NextDoor's Acid Wash Wednesday
1. "Bonafide Lovin' " Chromeo
2. "Sound Like That" Phunk Sinatra
3. "Stronger Remix" A-Trak
4. "Thou Shalt Always Kill" Dan Le Sac vs Scroobius Pip
5. "Love Like Blood" Killing Joke
