The Butik marks 4th anniversary in style

Nadine Kam photos
The Butik partners Lan Chung, left, and Landy Cheung celebrate the 4th anniversary of their creation.

The Butik marked its fourth anniversary March 5 with the help of local designers who prayed for sun as they set up booths in the courtyard outside the 1067 Kapiolani Boulevard boutique. Luckily, though the skies were threatening, rain didn’t mar the event.

Their actual anniversary passed last fall, but that’s always such a busy time of year they postponed the celebration until spring, when it’s much more relaxed.

On hand for the mini fair were Lovelessizm, Ki-ele, Organik, Florencia Arias, Sas n Sol, and more. Butik fans received a 20 percent discount on in-store purchases, and vendors were offering discounts as well. Ki-ele’s Marylea Conrad was making way for her new collections by offering a clearance sale.

Kayo Master was there with her Mi Cielo applique T-shirt designs and equally adorable iPhone cases. I found it hard to resist the Cookie Monster. It was a good time for her to meet up with one of the Star-Advertiser American Girl winners to deliver her prize. We started the contest in early January to coincide with the release of the first Hawaiian American Doll ever, Kanani Akina. Young girls were to color an illustration we provided. Older girls were to design and draw an outfit.

We had only planned to have two winners in two age groups, but the work was so good, we expanded to four winners, announced Jan. 27, and Kayo, who helped us to judge, created her own “Thank You for Being Different” prize to present to 11-year-old ‘Aulani Oka. She was the only one to dress Kanani in a shave ice costume and it’s both our belief that originality should be rewarded.

‘Aulani was given her choice of one of Kayo’s T-shirts, but again, she had to be different, and wanted one of the San-X Mamegoma seal which Kayo created especially for her. (It’s another seal, the Hawaiian monk seal that figures prominently in Kanani’s life.)

For shoppers that day, the event was a great opportunity to meet the people who create their favorite designs.

Congrats Lan and Landy!

Kayo Master with ‘Aulani Oka and the T-shirt she won. Below, she tries on the Mamegoma design and also shown is the costume drawing that earned her the prize.

Kayo’s creations include adorable onesies and iPhone cases with various popular culture themes, from “Star Wars,” to “Smurfs,” “Mr. T” and “Alice in Wonderland.”

Wandering through the area without a clue as to what was going on, but looking stylish anyway, was Kuan Jung Lai and friendss Dick Page and Sarah Kunkel.

Florencia Arias was among the several vendors participating in the anniversary event.

Richie Miao was there with his Lovelessizm men’s collection with the promise of a women’s collection arriving soon. Initially, it was to have been designed by Andy South, but now Richie is helping Andy to produce his own line, while Kara Matsunaga, right, helps him with Lovelessizm’s women’s designs. Helping them with sales at The Butik event was Joy Furushima.

Hawaii Red Magazine’s Malie Moran, right, with Anne Tomita, artistic director for the 45th Annual University of Hawaii at Manoa Senior Fashion Show, “Paradox,” coming up May 1. There will be other events leading up to the show, beginning with the HIFI Pop-Up Resource Center March 21 to 25 at Ala Moana Center’s lower level, between Old Navy and Sam Goody.