Tory Burch drops into RHC

Nadine Kam photos
Tory Burch obliged dozens of fans, posing for photos during a private shopping event Jan. 18 at her Royal Hawaiian Center boutique to benefit the Honolulu Academy of Arts.

The crowd was overflowing upstairs and downstairs at the Tory Burch boutique at Royal Hawaiian Center Jan. 18, with everyone eager for a peek and photo op with Tory herself.

There was definitely less breathing room on the second floor, where Tory—company founder, designer and CEO—held court for two hours during a private sales event to benefit the Honolulu Academy of Arts. Twenty percent of sales proceeds will go to the museum, and there was another table of Shop for a Cause merchandise to benefit the Tory Burch Foundation, which supports disadvantaged women and female entrepreneurs with micro loans and business opportunities.

While here, Tory also met with young female entrepreneurs Tuesday night to share her story and offer encouragement and support.

Although the Tory Burch brand has been a fashion phenomenon, with 68 stand-alone boutiques and carried in more than a thousand specialty department stores and boutiques, many aren't aware she achieved this in eight short years! She attributes part of her success to coming up with the right idea at the right time, with accessible luxury that ties in to lifestyle for anyone who's constantly on the move and prizes comfort while looking professional and presentable at all times.

At the store, Tory gamely posed for what easily amounted to a thousand photos with fashion fans, and I took more than a dozen myself as she smiled her way through the afternoon. I swear she cannot take a bad picture and there must be some rule that says designers must be photogenic, not to mention telegenic these days.

My interview with the designer appears in today's paper.

Tory signs a magazine for Ashli Sower.

Valerie Joseph's Valerie Ragaza-Miao and Janette McKeone show their Tory Burch purses.

All profits from sales of select items from the Tory Burch collections benefit the Tory Burch Foundation, which helps to provide economic opportunities and micro loans to disadvantaged American female entrepreneurs and their families. Items range from an iPad case, small ($55) and medium ($75) cosmetic cases, Tory Burch Foundation candles ($45 for trio) and TBF studded leather logo cuffs ($95 each) in multiple colors, ranging from white to metallic. You can also shop online at ToryBurch.com, by clicking on "Shop for a cause."

Tory with Tory Burch manager of public relations, Kerry-Lynne Carrera.

The photogenic designer with Hemin Yoon and Ivan Lui. I don't think she can take a bad picture.

Tory with Danielle Cason, left, and Serena Karnagy.

Ground level at the Tory Burch store, where a lounging area provides a backdrop for some of her prints.

A display of Tory Burch Patent Prescott 3 ballet flats ($250 pair) in woven patent leather.

A display of Tory Burch's Spring 2012 designs.