Nadine Kam photos
Models dressed in BLVQ, Matt Bruening's holiday collection.

If the world had ended Dec. 21,  Matt Bruening would have been happy knowing his work over the past few months had been for naught, as he closed the year with the showing of his BLVQ | MB Holiday Collection 2013, at The Republik.

So close to the holidays, I'm sure everyone had a million things to do, but it seems as if the entire fashion community was there to show their support for Matt, whose fashion show was also part of Christa Wittmier's "Last Ever" birthday party and fundraiser for the arts organization POW WOW HAWAI'I.

Luckily, the world didn't end, so it was neither goodbye to friends nor the end of birthdays for the woman about town, but she is saying goodbye to her blogging days while continuing her work with Young's Market Co. of Hawaii, and moving on to other projects.

And for Matt, the world's not ending means we can actually snatch up some of his latest designs with its perfect mix of casual sophistication. His minimalist, go-anywhere pieces can be dressed up or down, whether you're headed to a swanky soiree or just wanna curl up on the couch at home.

Many of the pieces will fit into any existing wardrobe, and I don't know if you can see in my video, but I'm particularly interested in a pair of comfy looking bloomers.

To purchase pieces, contact Matt—who's working out of a Chinatown studio—directly at mb@mattbruening.com

Designer Matt Bruening cuts up with Lindsey Higa, who, with fellow stylists Geremy Campos and Reise Kochi, helped with the show.


Non-flash video link

Matt Bruening's PVNCH arrives at Milk & Honey

Nadine Kam photos
Designer Matt Bruening with his models, from left, Ella Aki, Momoko Metzger and Casey Evans.


Following up on his December fashion show, Matt Bruening presented the debut of his Spring 2012 line, PVNCH, during First Friday at Milk & Honey, 1128 Smith St., where there was informal modeling and shoppers were treated to a 20 percent discount between 6 and 9 p.m.

If you missed it, not to worry, the boutique will be carrying the line, in addition to it's other brands, from House of Harlow to luxurious beauty products from Tokyo Milk.

I really love the House of Harlow headpieces they carry, but unfortunately I'm not young enough to be able to pull off the hippie-boho look like its creator, Nicole Richie, as in the photo below:

House of Harlow photo

While there, I ran into Julie Aragaki, who fixated on the necklace I was wearing. It's sort of an illusion necklace with three gold discs embedded with a varying number of diamonds, plus two small brilliant-cut diamonds on a gold chain. When it's worn, the pendants appear to form a constellation of varying lengths.

When I told her it was from Jade by Nikolai, she said she had to take a photo of it and send it to designer Nikolai Tsang, who has a knack for remembering who bought what.

I bought it for myself for Christmas of 2010, but sure enough, Nikolai knew I was there with Julie.

Milk & Honey co-owner Patricia Chang with the very comfortable-looking store mascot Mochi, who was a hit with shoppers.

Leesha Kubo in one of Matt's chevron design cropped tees. It has a sexy, butterfly back like the example below in case you don't know what that looks like:

Julie Ann Aragaki, right, with her daughter Arian. They made some quick rounds and were done with First Friday by 7:30 p.m.