'Kamalei' line inspired by hula dancer
By Paula Rath
Advertiser Staff Writer
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The hula style of dancer Sarah Kamalei Noyle inspired a new women's line from Iolani Sportswear called "Kamalei." As a muse and consultant for the line, Noyle assisted with style, fit and fabric choices. Throughout the design process she worked closely with Grace Tsutahara, an Iolani designer. Kamalei is created to move with the body, capturing the beauty and grace of the contemporary hula dancer. Fabrics include rayon rattan and rayon modal. Prints include contemporary takes on Island flora such as "Hapa Monstera," "Lady Mum" and "Shadow Palm."
As it launches this week, Kamalei consists of five styles, ranging from sophisticated, contemporary and chic to the more traditional "kupuna" style with a high neck, three-quarter sleeves and a flowing silhouette. Each is offered in a choice of two fabrics, with a total of 10 options. Kamalei will launch exclusively in the DFS Galleria (on the first floor, which is open to the public) but will expand to other stores soon.
Prices range from $140 to $175. Noyle will be in the DFS Waikiki store from 8 to 10 p.m. tomorrow dancing, modeling and signing photographs.
INEXPENSIVE, STYLISH ITEMS AT BROKE2GEAR
Broke2Gear offers a selection of street-smart clothing and accessories for men, women and keiki, including signature Broke2Gear shirts (long and short sleeved), hats, bags and limited-edition dogtags.
Owner and CEO Thomas Marshall says under $25 is the rule of thumb here.
Find the store at 1218 Waimanu St., 'ewa of Ala Moana Center, next door to Sweet Nothings Bakery.
ON OUR RADAR
For the past two years, perfumer Kate Growney of Saffron James has been working to perfect a fragrance based on the scent of pikake. Inspired by Hawai'i's last crown princess, Princess Ka'iulani, the Island-born Growney was determined to get it right. The result is Nani, a fragrance with what she calls "an olfactory homage to the pikake flower. A stunning scent with notes of pikake, pink plumeria, mimosa, lily and ylang ylang."
To us, it smells like a pikake flower right after the rain, before it's been picked from the bush. Quite different from the much sweeter versions created by other perfume companies. Perhaps that's because Growney hired a French perfumer who specializes in jasmine scents.
As with all Saffron James perfumes, Nani has a little history included in the packaging. Growney, formerly a beauty writer with magazines such as Elle, Harper's Bazaar and Lucky, enjoys delving into Hawaiian history (she is part Hawaiian). Nani tells the story of Princess Ka'iulani's love for her peacocks and how the peacocks became so inconsolable after her death at the age of 23 that their screams could be heard all around O'ahu.
Nani is available at Nordstrom or online at www.saffronjames.com; $85.
Reach Paula Rath at paularath@aol.com.