aloha friday scoop

petites (5'6" and under) will want to find their way to split obsession this weekend when denim designer allison izu will be in-store offering personal fittings and hosting a fall fashion workshop. jeans will be priced from $65 to $75 and you'll score 20% off one regular priced top from the shop's stock with an ai denim purchase.

• when: sat, aug 7th - 1p to 3p
• where: split obsession, ala moana

alliway is in the midst of a moving sale and offering 30% off almost everything in-store!

• when: now to sun, aug 15th
• where: ward warehouse, 1050 ala moana blvd, suite 1620
• shop hours: mon to sat, 10a to 8p & sun, 10a to 6p

Click to read more ...

project runway recap: larger than life

round 2: andy south & ivy higa

this week's project runway challenge tempted our designers, andy south & ivy higa, with the chance to have the winning look featured on a billboard in times square (fyi: click the link to stream the episode).

designer sketchpad

andy: make it work! | video diary

ivy: make it work! | video diary

and, of course, watch the always entertaining designers dish for the backstage take on the competition.

did you love the marie claire-inspired looks designed by andy and ivy?

{photo credit: barbara nitke, lifetime television}

boutique week: pueo

pueo boutique

boutique week is heading back to the big island to peek inside pueo which just greeted its very first customers last month. after establishing her jewelry line kona bead girl at local craft fairs and on etsy, local girl amy sheffield dreamt of having a brick and mortar shop to showcase her handmade designs along with indie style made in the islands. her sweetie signed on for the new adventure and together they poured their heart and sweat equity into transforming a former art gallery into pueo's charming new space.

inspired by the shop local movement, pueo's racks are a one stop island style hop starting on the big island with amy's in-house jewelry designs and playful keiki wearables by bitty bambu. then it's on to maui for screenprinted loveliness by wings hawaii and flirty swimwear from posh pua before ending on oahu with upcycled fashion sewn by machinemachine & eco-friendly yoga apparel by lily lotus. 

handmade prettiness by kona bead girl

screenprinted shop mascot!

other local labels stocked by pueo include amigas de annika bikinis, gaya, (ha) organic clothing, huluwuwu and island essence. you can also scoop up buddha balm, clothing from scrapbook, and bags from big buddha and harvey's (made from discarded seat belts).

upcoming arrivals: roberta oaks and nina kuna designs!

• where: 75-5695 ali'i drive, kailua-kona
• shop hours: mon to sat, 10a to 6p

boutique week: bungalow 9

modern island banners

boutique week is island hopping over to kaua'i today! good design shops are small in number even on oahu so you can imagine my absolute delight upon recently finding an introduction from bungalow 9 proprietor lisa leggett in my inbox. the poipu shop will be celebrating its one year anniversary in two weeks time, and the little emporium has become a favorite of local and faraway design fans for its mix of modern home goods and edited selection of stylish m's and w's wearables.

one of my happiest discoveries are these simple banners with an island spin on the vintage subway scrolls that have been popping up in decorated spaces lately. the typeface has been modernized with a sans serif font and are offered in a kaua'i edition printed on heavyweight canvas in a handful of colorways (orange, aqua and b&w).

the banners are exclusive to bungalow 9 and lisa also tipped me off that custom prints can be made allowing you to display the neighborhoods and island spots that are always in your heart (definitely on my wish list for our home). another idea that i am quite smitten with is listing all the places you have called home as a record of your life's journey so far.

the most delightful galvanized birdie!

if you are sharing my swoon for the island banners, just know that they are priced at $385 and can be ordered via email or phone if you are off-island.

in addition to modern furnishings from italy, bungalow 9 stocks designs from chilewich, thomas paul, lovely linens and tableware plus echo, three dots, hobo bags and sparkle from h|h friends nina kuna designs and misa jewelry. design services and special orders are also offered if you are searching for design perfection.

coming up: linen pillow editions of the garden island inspired banners!

• where: kukui'ula village, 2829 ala kalanikaumaka, suite g141, koloa
• shop hours: mon to sun, 11a to 9p

p.s. lisa also keeps a shop blog filled with design inspirations and shop updates.

boutique week: green with envi

welcome to boutique week! we may still be in the midst of the great recession but, with so many introductions arriving in my inbox, spring and summer have been filled with shop openings as rents fall and new dreams take flight. since trips home always include a little shopping to help stimulate the island economy, i gathered up the shops that most intrigued me for their commitment to stocking local labels, eco-friendly finds, and the always elusive design goodness.

this week's neighbor island edition kicks off on the big island with waimea's green with envi which stocks its storefront with sustainable style and other little finds that are light on mother earth. the hamakua coast is one of my favorite spots in all of hawaii and the mister and i always seem to find our way to nearby waimea town which makes this a happy discovery for me. from my own experience, shopping for ethical fashion can be a challenge so the chance to step inside a shop and actually try on denim made from upcycled cotton and organic wearables will be quite the treat.

recycled ruffles

shop proprietor tahiti huetter, who makes good use of her photography background to shoot gorgeous shop updates, is determined to prove that green fashion can turn heads for the right reasons. accordingly, the racks are stocked with island designers (ha) organic clothing, lala b, lilikini, okai jewelry and posh pua along with eco goods from alternative apparel, toggery and refind originals (who refashions leather handbags out of discarded jackets & upholstery).

coming up: expanding the style offerings for the fellas!

if you call the big island home, green with envi is currently offering 15% off all ocean-releated merch 'til the end of shark week.

• where: 64-1040 mamalahoa hwy, suite 102, waimea
• shop hours: tue to sat, 10a to 5p

p.s. click over to the green with envi shop blog and facebook to find out what's new in store.

{update | jan 2011: gwe has shuttered the mamalahoa shop with plans to reopen in a new location this spring}