Magical Voodoo Attraction at Sephora

 Like my Indian pouf ottoman? Ross!

Phytocitrus Color Protect Radiance Mask, Elizabeth and James Nirvana Black Rollerball, Alterna Cavier CC Cream

I'm not the first victim of Sephora madness, a.k.a., when you walk in Sephora to purchase one thing, but come out with more than what you expected. This is why I've tried not to walk into Sephora when I'm at the mall. My boyfriend has been very grateful that I've been resisting the urges as he usually waits for 20+ minutes while I browse (HAHAHA). This time, a bunch of unexpected things led me into Sephora to buy some sort of oil/cream for my colored hair. Whatever, it was meant to be!

Instead of buying an Alterna hair product that I had in mind, a sales associate suggested the Phyto hair mask that is especially for color treated hair.  I had read good things about Phyto before so I opted for the suggested product. Before all that, I went to my favorite section in Sephora, which is fragrances! I eneded up with an Elizabeth and James Nirvana Black rollerball perfume. I'm tempted to buy the full size bottle when my tax returns come in, but I'm torn between Nirvana Black or the new Maison Martin Margiela Replica perfumes. Those are so divine but are a whopping $125 per bottle.

At the register, I traded in 100 points for the Alterna Caiver CC cream sample. This was what I was going to buy in the first place so I'm excited to see how it works for me before I invest again on hair products.

Food in Fashion

When the f/w 2014 collections came out I didn't think I'd utter the words, "I'm hungry". You see, fashion people are always hungry for more, whether it's clothes, jewelry, handbags, shoes, etc. Most times, our literal hunger for food is not satisfied (we're too busy to eat/drink!). This time, both cravings were satisfied (somewhat). With Karl Lagerfeld leading the forefront for an army of fashion foodies to a Chanel supermarket/fashion show, many other designers too, found inspiration in food as well. Here are my favorite examples:

Chanel - accessories are Chanel bags in poultry wrap and chain detailed carrying carts

 Moschino - came out strong with McDonald's inspired pieces and ended with junk food packaging

Anya Hindmarch - Kellog's, detergent, and overall household brand inspired handbags

All images from outside sources

Dior DFS Waikiki Reopening - J'adore J'adore!

Last week, DFS Galleria Waikiki reopened their Dior boutique, which went through an expansion of an added 50 percent to its original size. By grace of the fashion gods, I was able to attend the grand opening and see what the new store had to offer.

Judging from the fact that the subject in most of my photos are all shoes, you can tell already that I absolutely loved the selection of shoes in Dior. If you know me personally, then it's safe to say you know that I'm a shoe addict. From clear heels to ombre pumps, to a backwards comma shoe, temptation lurked in every brightly lit shelf. Colors that I usually stay away from, enticed me. I'm completely not resisting the voodoo magic that's going on between me and Raf Simons anymore.

For more information on the Dior boutique reopening, check out the piece by Amanda Stevens at Nonstop Honolulu.

Go to Sleep, I Dream Versace

Inspired by the song "Versace", it dawned on me, how little I knew about the brand and its famed designer, Gianni Versace. Besides knowing how to mispronounce the brand's name (thanks Showgirls), I forever knew of Versace for their sexy, body fitting styles and their well recognized Medusa head, until now. 

In history, Gianni Versace broke down boundaries and connected theater, music, and advertising together. Withstanding time and new trends, Versace is kept fresh with Donatella at the reigns. With Lady Gaga as the newest face, and with artists like 2 Chains to Grimes, donning baroque prints and Medusa heads, Versace couldn't be more relevant today. 

Founder: Gianni Versace (1947-1997)

Known for: Baroque screen prints, mixing high art and pop culture

Logo: Medusa head “he thought that whoever falls in love with the Medusa can’t flee from her.”

You may not know...

• Presented the first Gianni Versace collection on the runway at the Permanente Art Gallery in Milan

• Actor Sean Penn wore an off-the-rack Versace suit when he married Madonna

• Created costumes for Richard Strauss’s Capriccio at the San Francisco Opera

• Had his first couture runway presentation held at the Ritz in Paris

• The designer recieved a Woolmark Award “for challenging men’s fashion standards through brilliant color, imaginative fabric, and dramatic silhouette

• Outfited David Bowie for the "Tin Machine" tour

• Designed Sylvester Stallone's Judge Dredd costume 

• Designed costumes and album cover for Elton John’s world tour

• Accepted the CFDA International Award in 1993

Versace 2014 Spring/Summer

Versace - Migos

Preferred Drake version

Versace Must Haves: 

I've Got the Gold by sceniqueroute featuring hoop earrings

Black shoes / Red handbag / MeDusa hoop earrings / Checkered belt / Versus | M.I.A x Versus - Shop the Look | Versace Official US Online... / Versace Haas Brothers Compact Mirror | Men's Accessories | Official US... / Versace JJ Sunglass Black | Women's Sunglasses | Official US Online...

Spring/Summer Haute Couture 2014 Pt. 1

I don't know why I aim to make life difficult by choosing favorites. Spring Haute Couture, in fashion category, is my favorite! Taken to another level in terms of theatrics and glamour, haute couture isn't in alignment with pieces you'll see on the street, aka, Isabel Marant or Alexander Wang RTW. This is intricate, hand sewn brilliance you'll wonder where has gone after the models walk their final step on the runway.

Although I "tried" to cut it down to three collections that stirred my spirits, as you can tell, that failed and I ended up with five. Nevertheless, I'm anxious to voice my opinion on what pieces made it to my category of wonderment/exploding fantasy/fabulosity (yes, that is a single category). Here they are...

Ulyana Sergeenko

Based on the back story of a woman borrowing clothes from a man she met on her travels, and mixing them in with pieces from her own wardrobe, elements of masculinity are infused with clothing fit to dress a rich madame.

Valentino

Opera was the theme that swept fifty-five looks from Valentino's collection. Tulle, lace, feathers, and a sheer bustier with leaf-like gem embellishments in earth tones left me satisfied. It almost rectified the hideous rock stud bags that bubbled up from primordial ooze in hell. (yes, I hate them)

Armani Prive

Never thought I could be convinced to love navy as much as I do now. Oh, and that dress on the far left? My future wedding gown. It's done.

Alexis Mabille 

If Mariah Carey wasn't front row at this show, I don't know WTF she could have been doing that was more important. Butterflies were overwhelmingly plastered on walls and on model's faces for a very ladylike showing of Greco-Roman inspired pieces.

Christian Dior

All photos from www.style.com/

My apologies for the all white choices. Honestly, I wasn't sure if I was going to like Raf Simon's designs for Dior. I'm a die hard Galliano fan girl all the way. The immense amount of detail, flowers, punched-out dots (sounds crass but I don't know how else to describe it), milky plastic layers (sorry again) has convinced me of his minimalist teachings. It's the embodiment of Spring. 

SPRING/SUMMER HAUTE COUTURE 2014 PT. 2

COMING SOON!

Show Day - La Revolution 2013

Eleven fashion segments in one spectacular night. Hula's Bar and Lei Stand in Waikiki was the place to be last Saturday night. La Revolution, a fashion benefit for the Life Foundation, which was produced by Olotania Alalamua, included stylists, designers, DIY artists and more, with different creative perspectives. Most of the participants were either students from the University of Hawaii at Manoa or Honolulu Community college, having been through a fashion program provided by both colleges. It was great to see what kind of talent exists in the community and experience the level of skill that each person brought to the stage.

At the end of the night, we ended up raising $1,400+ for the Life Foundation, which is a non-profit dedicated to stopping the spread of HIV and to assisting people who are living with AIDS and HIV.

I'm so proud to say that I played a role in this event. Not only did I get to style a segment, I met some amazing people who love fashion just as much as I do. This benefit brought us together to collaborate as artists, make new friends, and also help a foundation that does so much good.

Speaking of good, a big mahalo to Goodwill Hawaii who provided me with the clothing and accessories needed to style my Bollywood inspired segment. Goodwill Hawaii helps people with employment barriers to reach their full potential and become self- sufficient. Also, thank you to Camille Mori of Tsubaki Hime, who allowed me to use pieces from her collection in my segment. Her collection consists of clothing from thrift stores, which, she upcycles and creates into "new" garments and accessories. Check her Etsy shop out here.

You can read/see more about La Revolution on Nonstop Honolulu.

Photos by Troi Orias and Lyle Amine

Styling by Amy Azada

La Revolution

I'm so excited and proud to support my friend Olo (Mysticlove808), who is producing "La Revolution", a fashion benefit for life foundation. If you live, breathe, and speak fashion, come down to Hula's for a night of fashion the way only we know how to do it!

Some of the fashion segments will be directed by some of my friends from our previous project, Goodwill Goes GLAM! Here's to a creative reunion and no more fashion withdrawals!

For Immediate release:

La Revolution 2013 - A Fashion Benefit for the Life Foundation (21+ Event)

Contact:      Dyan,

                   Olotania Alalamua, (808)489-7307

When:         Saturday, November 16, 2013

                   8:00 pm, doors open.

                   8:30 pm, fashion show starts

Where:        Hula’s Bar & Lei Stand

                   134 Kapahulu Avenue

                   Honolulu, Hawaii 96815

Tickets:       $10 - Individual Tickets,

                   $50 - Tables, both available online at

                   http://hulas.com/news-events/la-revolution-fashion-benefit

We invite you to La Revolution, a fashion benefit for Life Foundation that unites Hawaii's Fashion Designers, Stylists, Accessory Aces, DIY Gurus, Models and Hair/Makeup Artists for a great cause. With a total of twelve fashion runway presentations, each individual artist or collaborative group will show their interpretations of style.

Between the beautiful gowns, avant garde clothes, accessories and jewelry, there will be live performances, and Erin Roxy as MC.  All attendees are invited to snap photos and share on social media networks using the hashtags #LaRevolution2013 and #HulasWaikiki.

We Cheer to Life, We Cheer to Fashion, We Cheer to You. Come and be a part of our fashion revolution with proceeds going to Life Foundation.

Thank you and Mahalo.