NADINE KAM / NKAM@STARBULLETIN.COM
At left is Celine's beaded, sequined minidress worn by Heather Locklear to the 2002 Golden Globes award ceremony. The black chiffon dress, with its lace detail, was worn by Sarah Jessica Parker. Both are part of an exhibition at Celine, Ala Moana.
Punahou alum returns
to Oahu with trend-setting
apparel show
David Au can talk about marketing and distribution strategies as well as any CEO, but the former Punahou graduate who is now international communications director for Celine took the long route into the business world.
As a matter of fact, during his first year of studying business -- Dad's orders -- at the University of Southern California, he realized, "I hated it. I'd sneak off to art classes and print-making, which I loved so much."
At a certain point he realized he could earn a living through art and design, so he moved to Pratt Institute to study graphic design and art direction, then to Rome to study art history and, after working as an art director for a few years, moved on to Bloomingdale's and into the realm of high fashion.
NADINE KAM / NKAM@STARBULLETIN.COM
David Au, international communications director for Celine in Paris and a Punahou graduate, brought an exhibition of Celine Celebrity Style to town. The trench coat behind him was worn by Sharon Stone.
He returned for a few days last week to introduce the "Celine Celebrity Style" collection as part of Ala Moana's World Festival -- a week of luxury retail trunk shows, fashion shows, celebrity appearances and product releases, with main events taking place Friday through Sunday.
The Celine Celebrity Style collection will be on view at the boutique through Sunday, featuring garments designed for Heather Locklear, Gwyneth Paltrow, Kate Hudson, Sharon Stone and other celebs for red-carpet appearances, premieres and general paparazzi moments.
"This is the first time the collection has left Paris. We had created it for Hollywood executives after dressing Renee Russo in 'The Thomas Crown Affair,' and wanted to talk to them about the possibilities of working on another film," Au said.
All the clothing in the exhibition has been worn by celebrities, he said, and believe it or not, as beautiful as the garments are, they are able to give them up at the end of their soirees. Stars, after all, cannot be photographed in the same old thing twice. That would seem gauche.
Returned garments are packed in tissue, boxed and archived, a procedure that began only after Michael Kors started designing for the nearly 60-year-old design house in 1997.
At Celine, Au's many jobs include advertising, visual merchandising and event planning, and he was here to make sure the garments are presented in the best light possible. Each would cost thousands of dollars if price tags were attached, but at this level the dresses are not for sale. Instead, if you want/can afford it, another is customized with personal details to suit both your body and personality.
"We modify it, make adjustments to give the wearer a look entirely her own," Au said.
The look on Honolulu's streets is far from couture, but Au said he remembers hanging out at Ala Moana Center nearly every day as a teen. He said the center has changed to include many more luxury brands than when he moved away 30 years ago, and exposure is important to young designers.
Fashion students from Honolulu Community College were among his audience at a preview of Celine's collection Thursday. As far as Hawaii is from such fashion centers as Paris, Milan and New York, Au was encouraging as he spoke about the merits of starting in Hawaii, where "people are genuine and supportive." He left the students with the advice: "Dream big!"
World Festival
Ala Moana Center's second World Festival, through Sunday, is a collaboration of luxury retail houses, including Baccarat, Chanel, Christian Dior, Hermes, Burberry, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co., Fendi, Loewe, Bulgari and Celine.
Highlights
-- Exclusive merchandise available only in Hawaii during the event, such as a $78,000 Birken Bag by Hermes with diamonds in its locket (only six orders will be taken).-- Japan supermodel Kanda Uno makes appearances beginning at 4 p.m. Thursday at Louis Vuitton, Loewe and Celine.
-- New York makeup artist Vincent Longo greets fans, 5:30 p.m. Thursday at Sephora
For more information, inquire at the various boutiques.
Click for online
calendars and events.
