new peeks: fighting eel spring 2012

bora bora * moorea * poipu

ahoy mateys! stripes continue to woo closets of all sizes and fighting eel's spring 2012 collection is filled with the prettiest nods to this delightful nautical trend. demure ruffles, girly racerbacks, and the oh-so-stylish cutaway hem (just a few of the variations on offer this season) combine with cheery colors to make a convincing argument that stripes are the new style staple.

if the mere thought of welcoming stripes aboard your look makes you shudder, do consider that modern day interpretations offer thoughtful placements designed to highlight your favorite features.

oh, and many of fe's gorgeous spring styles can also be yours in solids for those not quite ready to commit to stripes just yet.

shop spring 2012 online + in-store. (have a peek and share which spring look made your wishlist!)

p.s. windward lovelies no longer need to cross the pali and can now shop at fe's recently opened kailua outpost. the bright and airy space (just a few doors down from lily lotus and the soon-to-open whole foods) is filled with pretties from fe and a handful of local & faraway labels along with a tiny nook devoted to keiki cuteness.

fighting eel fall/resort 2011

parker * harper

i have been feeling a bit style deprived so let's spend the week admiring fall looks from a few of our favorite designers! last winter, fighting eel's fishie tote caught my eye so you can imagine my delight upon finding the whimsical pattern revived for lan & rona's resort 2011 collection. mixed in are vibrant tie-dyes issued in flowy tops and versatile tube dresses-slash-skirts along with gorgeous structured sheaths (dress camryn earns a special mention for its thoughtfully placed stripes) that promise to transition easily from 9-to-5 to date night.

since a fall 2011 peek is overdue, a few favorites have also been rounded up for your viewing pleasure. i can't quite decide between the bright pops of emerald or the elegant cream colored silhouettes . . . so sophisticated!

more to adore after the jump . . . plus details on this weekend's sample sale.

alexa * summer

camryn * tatum

moon x dara * irie x charlie * ti

moon x willow * anya * eryn

most fall & resort 2011 styles can be purchased in the online shop, at your neighborhood stockist, or hele down to fighting eel headquarters to shop the complete collection:

• where: 1133 bethel street, chinatown
• shop hours: mon to sat, 10a to 6p

p.s. scoop up past season styles at this saturday's sample sale. there are two entry times with all ticket proceeds benefitting the hawaii food bank. only 50 earlybird tickets are being offered which grants you an extra hour and a half to shop before the rush.

• when: sat, nov 12th - 9a & 10:30a
• where: the manifest, 32 north hotel street, chinatown
• tix: $20/early entry + $5/general admission (available at fe hq - see above for address)
• fyi: cash only so hit the atm before the sale; all sales final

aloha friday scoop

some of my happiest memories while growing up on oahu took place at the old timey movie houses when lines wrapped around the building on opening weekend and ushers did not mind if you stayed in your seat for the next screening. the balconies at the waikiki twins may be forever closed, but news of a grassroots group hoping to restore kaimuki's queen theatre is the most delightful discovery of the week. {mahalo reel hawaii!}

fighting eel hosts its annual sample sale so grab your wishlist and queue up early for first dibs.

• when: sat, jul 8th - 11a to 3p
• where: the manifest, 32 north hotel street, chinatown
• fyi: cash only & all sales final

say hello to heather brown when the north shore artist shares her latest creations with town and country collectors.

• when: sat, jul 9th - 3p to 7p
• where: wyland galleries, 66-250 kam hwy,haleiwa

• when: sun, jul 10th - 6p to 9p
• wyland galleries beach walk, 270 lewers street, waikiki

Click to read more ...

fighting eel spring 2011

hippie

by far my favorite red carpet moment on oscar night was the tie-dye ball gown designed by christian siriano discovered during the pre-show marathon. i was immediately reminded of fighting eel's spring 2011 collection filled with carefree bohemian loveliness rocking a modern day riff on the wardrobe staple found inside any good hippie's closet.

from a swoon-y goddess maxi to floaty tops, i just love how designers lan chung and rona bennett have put their spin on the tie-dye trend. the abstract swirls and artful splatters are grounded by this season's palette of smoky neutrals brightened by the occasional pop of color making each piece a striking complement when paired with the style essentials.

see if you agree with more of my favorite spring looks after the jump . . .

olsen

richie * taylor

spring 2011 has not yet arrived in the online shop, so hele over to your neighborhood stockist or fe's gorgeous chinatown flagship:

• where: 1133 bethel street, chinatown
• shop hours: mon to sat, 10a to 6p

rona marie jewelry

if you happened by fighting eel's charming new boutique in chinatown since its doors opened last fall, it's quite possible you found yourself instantly smitten with the display of jewelry surrounding the checkout stand as you waited to pay for your purchases. what you may not have realized is amongst the sparkle is a side line of adornment made by fe co-founder & designer rona bennett.

constructed in her off-time as a diversion from the demands of running a fashion label, the naturally gorgeous glam features geometric gemstones and tumbled crystals intuitively combined in the most modern arrangements. the stones are curated from around the globe with rona mixing and mingling elements until each piece feels just right.

the quartz and agate amulets are an especially lovely antidote to the daily stresses of life, wouldn't you agree?

druzy earrings

druzy ring

i pined for a few pieces when i popped into fe while home before the holidays, and only just discovered that most of the sparkle is one of a kind . . . never to be made in the exact same way again. an occasional exception is made for a handful of earring designs which may, at the discretion of the designer, be repeated. good to know, no?

remember that tip if you plan on heading down to first friday tomorrow night when the fighting eel flagship, the exclusive stockist of rona marie jewelry, hosts a trunk show of her newest concoctions. local psychic nichole myers will also be offering angel card readings if you seek a peek into your future.

• when: fri, feb 4th - 6:30p to 9:30p
• where: fighting eel, 1133 bethel street, chinatown

p.s. jewelry is priced from $24 to $154, however the collection is not offered online so faraway friends should consider contacting the shop directly to order.