Does the thought of walking into a Chanel or Christian Dior boutique make your knees wobble out of fear of the dreaded stink eye? Saddle up for
Where and when
French festivalStar-Bulletin
Lesser sales personnel have been known to make poor, penniless you feel about a foot tall, but that's no reason to become a retail coward. The staffers at such high-end boutiques are perfectly sweet. It's a matter of manners and having the graciousness to treating everyone as if they are the kings or queens of the world.
Besides, show up in the next two weeks and you won't be alone as crowds gather at these boutiques and other sites to celebrate the French Festival.
The Dior boutique at Ala Moana Center will even get messy as it hosts art students from the University of Hawai'i Art Department, finalists in a competition to come up with a design for one of Dior designer John Galliano's signature saddlebags.
The original pale blue denim and leather-trimmed bag is embellished with buttons, appliques and screenprinted hearts and grafitti, and sells for $1,400.There were 56 students who submitted drawings, and 10 finalists were chosen yesterday to turn an unadorned saddlebag, which sells for $550, into a 3D version of their drawings, using paint, glitter, applique and quilting techniques.
Two students a day, beginning Saturday, will be working on their designs in the store from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. As an incentive to do their best, students will be able to keep their bags, and the winner will receive $5,000 to be used toward tuition and art supplies.
Among the finalists are Shae Chartrand's "Beauty Within," which has the purse punctured by even rows of nuts and bolts, the bolts portruding like spikes from the purse; Ayako Iwasaki's festival-themed "French Kiss," in which the purse is painted red, a giant cloth tongue portruding from the lip's opening (shades of the Rolling Stones), and tiny lip charms suspended from the shoulder strap; and Bradley Capello's eye-catching, unnamed grafitti bag, painted in orange day-glo with sooty graphics and safety pins.
The finished works will be displayed in the boutique through the end of the festival, which runs through Nov. 4 at shops, restaurants and hotels throughout Oahu. Most events are free. For information call, toll-free, (877) 843-3378 or visit the Web site, www.frenchfesthawaii.com. View the calendar on D-3.
Here is the calendar of events for the French Festival: French Festival of Hawaii
Friday
Francois Nars: Makeup artists will recreate looks from the designer's book, "Makeup Your Mind," today and tomorrow at Neiman Marcus.
Saturday
Immersion Day: Alliance Française offers a chance to practice conversational French, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Krauss Hall, University of Hawai'i-Manoa. Registration, 8:30 a.m.; brown-bag lunch follows event. Cost is $7.50; $6 Alliance Française members; $3 students. Call 395-8643.Chanel Model Search casting call: 1 to 3 p.m., Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center, 942-5555.
PIGALLE!: The festival's kick-off celebration recreates a Parisian festival of music, ballet performances, clowns, stilt walkers, set around a 30-foot replica of the Eiffel Tower and a cascading grand staircase, 5 to 9 p.m., Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center, 922-2299.
French toast demonstrations and tastings: Chef Eric Leterc will prepare variations on French toast, 9 a.m. to noon, Pacific Beach Hotel lobby, 921-8338. Free samples.
Children's fashion show: Christian Lacroix's Fall Collection featured at 11 a.m. in Children's World at Neiman Marcus.
French gourmet foods VIP wine tasting: Meet Jaclyne Recchiuti of Confections by Michael Recchiuti and sample chocolates from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Neiman Marcus. Repeats Sunday.
Sunday
Drop-in French lessons: By Alliance Francaise, 2 to 3 p.m., Neiman Marcus Ala Moana, 951-8887. Repeats Nov. 3."Under the Sand": French Film, 4 p.m., Honolulu Academy of Arts Theatre, $5, 532-8700. Repeats 7:30 p.m. Monday.
Tuesday
Drop-in French lessons: By Alliance Francaise, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., Neiman Marcus Ala Moana, 951-8887."Les Distinees Sentimentale": French Film, 7:30 p.m., Academy Theater, 532-8701.
Wednesday
Chanel Model Search finale and reception: 5 to 7 p.m. Chanel Waikiki Boutique, 942-5555."The Child and the Enchantment": Hawaii Opera Theatre and the Contemporary Museum present the comic one-act opera, 6 and 8 p.m., First Presbyterian Church. Tickets $10; $5 children. Call 596-7372.
"Les Distinees Sentimentale": French Film, 7:30 p.m., Academy Theater, $5, 532-8700. 532-8701.
Christian Lacroix Cruise and Spring 2002 collection: Trunk show at Neiman Marcus through Nov. 3. Also featuring collections from Jean Paul Gaultier, Thierry Mugler, John Galliano and other French designers.
Nov. 1
Cruise 2002 Ready-to-Wear Collection Trunk Show: Noon to 4 p.m., Chanel Ala Moana Boutique, 942-5555."Les Distinees Sentimentale": French Film, 7:30 p.m., Academy Theater, $5, 532-8700. 532-8701.
Parisian marketplace: With street artisans, musicians, stalls offering cheese tastings, exhibits, demonstrations, performances by Iona Pear Dance Troupe, 6:30 to 10 p.m., Ala Moana Center, 946-2811. Some events by invitation only.
Cinderella search: Women may try on Cinderella's slipper, created by Christian Dior. A perfect fit makes you a finalist; winner receives a fashion and makeover package, two tickets to French Festival Fashion Ball, a Dior gown to wear to the ball and the slippers to keep. 7 to 9 p.m., DFS Galleria Waikiki, 931-2700. Winner announced at 9:15 p.m.
French tastings: Chef George Mavrothalassitis from Chef Mavro's will be demonstrting vichysoisse with wasabi tobiko garnish from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at Neiman Marcus. Also: Men's Clothing will feature French-inspired dressing. Home Décor will present French-themed table settings and displays of Lalique, Baccarat and Daum crystal, as well as Bernardaud and Haviland china. Enjoy a French-inspired prix fixe menu in Mariposa restaurant.
Nov. 2
French Festival tour and tea: Refreshments, music, tour of French art holdings, 2 to 4 p.m., Honolulu Academy of Arts, 532-8701.
Cruise 2002 Ready-to-Wear Collection Trunk Show: 5 to 9 p.m., Chanel Waikiki Boutique
Fete Du Village: Parisian street fair with food, music, wine, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., Tapa Bar, Hilton Hawaiian Village, 949-4321.
Nov. 3
Storytelling by Madeline: Appearance by the storybook character, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Neiman Marcus Ala Moana, 951-8887.
Technique Moderne: Fashion Ball 2001 features collections from Chanel, Christian Dior and Christian Lacroix, 6 to 10:30 p.m., Hilton Hawaiian Village Coral Ballroom. Marcel Marceau will be guest of honor. Formal attire. Tickets are $300 to $1,000, in a benefit for Sept. 11 Fund. Call toll-free (877) 843-3378, Option 3.
Nov. 4
Cruise 2002 Ready-to-Wear Collection Trunk Show: 1 to 4 p.m., Chanel Maui Boutique
French Festival Ko Olina Golf Tournament: Each four-person team will include a "Konsihiki Ami," or local celebrity. Entry fee is $250 per person, to benefit the Konishiki Kids Foundation. Registration, 10 a.m., with 11 a.m. shotgun start and 4:30 p.m. awards reception, Ko Olina Resort & Marina. Call 680-7680 , fax 680-7690 or email kora@koolina.com.
Continuing events
DFS Galleria Boutique: Free head-to-toe makeovers including make-up applications, massage, hair-styling and nail care, 7 to 10 p.m. Monday to Nov. 3. Also, "Dior Spirit" makeup consultations, by appointment, 931-2700.
Hermès: Leathercraft classes teach how an orange crocodile Kelly bag is made, Wednesday to Nov. 3, 922-5780.
Neiman Marcus: 951-8887
>> Complimentary makeovers and samplings from Laura Mercier, Frederic Fekkai, Chantecaille, Lancome and YSL.
>> Christian Lacroix Spring 2002 trunk show: Noon to 2 p.m. and 5:30 to 7:30 daily, Wednesday to Nov. 3.
>> Children's fashion show, 11 a.m. daily, Saturday through Nov. 4.
University of Hawai'i Art Gallery: Théâtre de la Mode, an exhibition of miniature French fashion mannequins that toured Europe and the America in 1946, is on display through Dec. 21. Call 956-6888.
Click for online
calendars and events.
