FL MORRIS / FMORRIS@STARBULLETIN.COM
A 19th-century Tibetan monastery panel inspired the Anne Namba print used in this men's shirt of vibrant red silk.
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Themes from a
Tibetan temple
DURING buying trips to southern China, Wendell Wo and Brad Harris, division manager for C.S. Wo, often stopped to admire a 12-pillar Tibetan temple that was for sale.
They joked about bringing it back to Hawaii, but seriously, how many people could actually find use for a temple?
CS WO
The inspirational panel made of Himalayan softwood, features its original paint, with a dragon motif. It is on view at the C.S. Wo Gallery, where seven of Namba's creations will be displayed through Feb. 28.
'YEAR OF THE DOG'
Tibet-inspired art work by Kelly Sueda and fashion designs by Anne Namba:
On view: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekends, through Feb. 28
Place: C.S. Wo Gallery, 702 S. Beretania St.
Admission: Free
Call: 543-5388
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There were many more reasons to leave it behind than go through the time and expense of moving it. Even so, the temple's muted colors, earthy reds and greens, and the patina of age were unforgettable.
"I thought it looked great," said Wo, vice president for C.S. Wo. After seeing it a third time, "I felt we could make it the centerpiece for our showroom."
The pillars now reach to the ceiling of his family's furniture gallery, bringing a monumental touch to the showroom. Response has been enthusiastic, such that Wo has had offers from people who want just a couple of pillars, to those who want to purchase the temple.
"Usually they're building or remodeling and want to incorporate it into their redesign," he said. "What's nice about the temple is the colors are muted so it can go into almost any setting, but for now, I think it's going to stay in the store."
FL MORRIS / FMORRIS@STARBULLETIN.COM
Couture designs by Anne Namba, above and below, feature a Tibet-inspired mix of colors and textures. The necklaces are by Gillian Armour.
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The temple and a 19th-century Tibetan monastery panel with a dragon motif provided the theme for the family's annual Chinese New Year celebration Saturday night, during which friends, family members and business associates were invited to view Tibet-inspired art by Kelly Sueda, fashions by Anne Namba and jewelry by Gillian Armour.
Using a photograph of the panel, Namba worked with a textile artist to create a vibrant red print that she used on two kinds of silk to create shirts for men and separates for women, which will be available, respectively, at Neiman Marcus and Macy's beginning in April. Prices will be about $195 for the men's shirt and $160 to $300 for women's pieces.
Namba also showed couture gowns and separates inspired by Tibetan colors and Tibetans' style of layering and mixing textures, including an A-line ikat-style skirt paired with a patchwork corset top.
It was plain good fortune that brought Armour into the mix. Namba said that during a charity event, she had bid on a dinner hosted last month at Armour's Gallery, where she saw Gillian's jewelry displayed.
"When I saw it I was blown away," Namba said of Armour's dramatic and whimsical creations. "Her jewelry is contemporary yet she uses old pieces. It was perfect for my collection, which mixes the old with the new."
Seven of Namba's garments and Sueda's works will remain on view at C.S. Wo Gallery through Feb. 28.