POSHd by Valerie Joseph opens doors at Ward

Nadine Kam photos
Valerie Ragaza-Miao at the entrance to her new shop, POSH'd by Valerie Joseph, at Ward Village Shops, next to Bed Bath & Beyond.

Valerie Ragaza-Miao, founder of the Valerie Joseph boutique, celebrated Girl's Day March 3 with the grand opening of her new boutique concept at Ward Village, POSHd by Valerie Joseph.

"I consider it the older, socially conscious sister of Valerie Joseph," she said. "I've always been a big supporter of community and always wanted to expand awareness of socially conscious brands."

Beyond her visibility as a boutique owner, Ragaza-Miao has been a longtime supporter of community organizations such as Community Helping Schools, raising funds through her annual PINC (Partners Inspiring Nouvelle Concepts) events, and also staging events to boost girls' and womens' self-esteem.

Ragaza-Miao, whose motto has long been, "Life is short, buy cute clothes," still delivers the cuteness at her new boutique, but now features more garments sourced from microbusinesses that help support women in impoverished countries.

Valerie 's husband Joseph Miao, with the couple's toy poodle Sukoshi, who gives Bellini restaurant's Maile Sengoura a kiss. Maile catered the event.

Valerie 's husband Joseph Miao, with the couple's toy poodle Sukoshi, who gives Bellini restaurant's Maile Sengoura a kiss. Maile was serving up burger sliders for the event.

Among jewelry items are Greenie Bracelets that come wrapped around handmade, recycled paper embedded with seeds, allowing purchasers to plant trees with each purchase.

Ragaza-Miao also carries note-filled tins from Gratitude, a company that enlists artists to create products to promote social responsibility and help raise funds for education in at-risk populations. Each note bears a message to leave behind to brighten someone's day.

Also part of the lifestyle boutique are small home decor such as pillows, and Ragaza-Miao's Coco Java line of Hawaiian coffee, at $7.99 for 7 ounces, and gluten-free, candy sprinkle "confetti" studded coconut-flavored Hawaiian pancake mix ($9.99).

The boutique is next to Bed Bath & Beyond. For more information, call 942-5258 or visit POSHdHawaii.com.

Malie Moran, left, and Midweek style editor Yu Shing Ting in POSHd apparel.

Pastry chef Eddie Lopez was serving up pancakes made from Valerie's Coco Java gluten-free "Coconut Confetti" pancake mix. The mix includes candy sprinkles that offer a pop of color.

A closer look at the pancakes dotted with candy sprinkle "confetti."

The purchase of a Greenies bracelet allows buyer to plant a tree with the seed-embedded paper the bracelets come wrapped around.

Gratitude notes are filled with leave-behind notes bearing messages to brighten the day of friends, loved ones or even strangers.

For the POSHd home.

Beaded fringe collar.

Clear globe purse.

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Nadine Kam is Style Editor and staff restaurant critic at the Honolulu Star-Advertiser; her coverage is in print on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Contact her via email at nkam@staradvertiser.com and follow her on Twitter, Instagram and Rebel Mouse.