By Craig T. Kojima, Star-Bulletin
The Chinese influence is evident in Tocca outfits.

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Chinese touches
flavor fashion world

Entrepreneurs have eyed China eagerly for decades, trying to fathom just what kind of widget or trinket can be sold to millions of Chinese consumers.

The smartest entrepreneurs have done the obvious, selling back to us our fascination with the emerging world power.

Chinese-influenced garb hit the runways and a handful of stores a year ago. But holiday shoppers can't miss the red and black brocade looks, whether real or printed or polyester, at every price point. A sampling:

Body & Soul in King's Village has embroidered acetate skirt ($175) and top ($225) sets from Tocca. The tops, in bone or pale blue, have faux-fur collars for an update of the Chinese style. The Malia Outrigger Hotel location has silk brocade sheath dresses from China for about $150.

Christian Dior's designer John Galliano serves up chinoiserie as interpreted for modern empresses. A burgundy silk jacquard jacket and matching skirt sells for $3,700. A jacket in navy or black silk with 34 buttons has a mandarin collar embellished with two mink pompoms ($2,700).

Rafael has dragon-print tops ($150) in stretchy nylon mesh by Vivenne Tam in lucky red. A dress of the same fabric in red or black sells for $264.

Liberty House has platform shoes ($55 to $100) in red and black, embroidered with gold dragons.

Ever Blue Casuals has a selection of brocade-look polyester dresses for about $20 and Jackie O-style jackets with collars of faux fur, at $40.99 with matching skirt.

And let's not forget some of the perennial purveyors of these goods. In Chinatown's Maunakea Marketplace, Tea Hut Hearts & Gifts has embroidered house slippers for $4. At Ha Fashion at 1010 Maunakea, cheong-sam in beaded and sequined velvet sell for $160. Queen Imports at 25 N. King has unlined silk brocade jackets starting at $29.

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Nadine Kam, Star-Bulletin.