This week’s Happenings 3.23- 3.30

It’s almost the end of March, and as the Cherry Blossoms start blooming, we can start whipping out our Spring/Summer ensembles.  If our closets need a little help, this week’s Happenings can help us out in that area, from an Allison Izu release event to the launch of NAMI’s new online store.  Additionally, if you are more the book-worm type, feel free to peruse the collections for something to wear on your way to DC’s SAALT leadership event.

Nordstrom Hawaii to host Allison Izu Release Event

When: Saturday, March 24, 2012
Where: Ala Moana Nordstrom 11am – 3pm

Calling all petites! Allison Izu will be holding a release event at the Ala Moana Nordstrom on March 24, Saturday from 11am – 3pm in Hawaii to help customers find the perfect pair of Allison Izu jeans.

Allison Izu is a unique clothing company which designs and creates clothing for petite women, so they can realize their true beauty comes in a “smaller package”!
During the event, customers who buy any pair of Allison Izu jeans will receive a FREE Allison Izu top (assorted styles and sizes, while supplies last).  Also, come down to enter a giveaway for a pair of Allison Izu jeans and top (winner to be pulled at the end of the event).

NAMI to Launch New Online Store

What: Full collection for Spring/Summer 2012

When: Now

Where: www.onnami.com/shop

At the SXSW Style X fashion portion of the Austin, TX festival, NAMI announced the launch of its new online store to offer the full collection from Spring|Summer wear for 2012.

NAMI is a brand based out of Los Angeles, started by the multi-talented Korean-American designer Sarah Nami Ahn.

Rise Up! SAALT Young Leaders Institute

When: May 6-8; applications due by March 23, 2012

Where: Washington, DC

If you a South Asian American college student who wants to change your campus and community, then considering applying to the Rise Up! SAALT Young Leaders Institute to be held in Washington DC the week of May 6-8.

Rise Up! is a four-day gathering of fellow students who are looking to build better skills and strategies, create change and be more effective leaders in their respective campuses and communities.

THE RAID: REDEMPTION

When: Opens March 23, 2012
Where: NY, LA, DC, SF, and Chicago

The Raid: Redemption is an Indonesian martial arts action film directed by Gareth Evans and starring Iko Uwais.  After its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), critics and audience alike hailed the The Raid as one of the best action films in years.

So, here’s the thing.

I’ve maybe worn denim maybe … twice … in the last year. Call it denim overload. Call it denim backlash. I once lived in a CNN of denim — all denim, all the time. And I got sick of it. And denim was banished to the back of my closet.

But denim is back. And not in the same way. Denim jackets, denim vests, even denim on denim.

Now, I’m not gonna go rushing back to the 24-hour cycle of jean dressing. There are just too many alternatives out there to stick to one fabric or look all the time. But given my denim hiatus, I have to say, the material is looking kinda fresh once again.

Perfect timing for Allison Izu Song. The Japanese American (married to a Korean, hence the last name) has come out with the perfect denim line. (Check out our profile on her in our Fall 2010 issue.)

Sure, Allison Izu is made for the petite woman. (Song herself boasts a respectable 5-foot-2.) But at 5-foot-6 (and a devotee of heels no less than four inches), her “UK” zipped capri fits me pretty perfectly. Perfectly skinny, perfectly dark, with the coolest bold gold zipper, but with a secret stretchy panel for those of us who enjoy a good meal or two. Read: no muffin top.

Suddenly, denim is looking refreshingly new. Now if only I can get that denim-on-denim thing right.