Page 26 - MidWeek - Dec 14, 2022

26 MIDWEEK DECEMBER 14, 2022
VALIA
BY GINGER KELLER
PHOTOS BY LAWRENCE TABUDLO
LIVE NEWS UPDATES EVERYDAY @ 3 PM
Sponsored by
Camille Heung and Kea Peters first connected in the early days of the pandemic. As the owner of the Bethel Street boutique Valia Honolulu, Heung is
always on the hunt for local products to stock her shelves and fellow female entrepreneurs to work alongside.
“It was a really challenging time for the shop,” states Heung. “Our storefront was closed due to the pandemic, and it left us with a lot of time, that we had never previ- ously experienced, to connect with like-minded entre-
preneurs and just get to know new people.”
At first, she worked with Peters, the owner and il- lustrator behind Kākou Collective — a brand that in- corporates cultural values, traditions and communities of Hawaiʻi into its work and sells everything from vinyl stickers and wrapping paper to notepads and coasters — on custom products designed for the current times, like a button
pusher and door opener to prevent the spread of germs.
The ideas kept flowing, and through their conversations, the two realized they were both intrigued and inspired by modern
HONOLULU
a
a attire created for younger demographics.
Their vision was to create clothing with a floral pattern
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ue to Hawai‘i, and they decided on Kākou Collective’s popular pīkake pattern. According to the designers, the fra- grant pīkake flower is a symbol of romance and love, which was the exact feelings they wanted to evoke with their clothing line.
Pieces in the first collection — which include clothing, tea towels, tumblers, tote bags and more — are the Sanae Maxi Dress, named after Heung’s mother; the Naomi Jumpsuit, Heung’s personal fave; and the Mia Wrap Top, Heung’s first design. All three pieces are named after women who have inspired Heung on her journey as an entrepreneur and have helped her become who she is today.
Valia Honolulu is located at 1140 Bethel St. Its holiday hours are 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sundays. For more information, visit valiahonolulu.com or check out @valiahonolulu on Instagram.
Learn more about Kākou Collective by going online to kakoucollective.com or find @kakoucollective on Instagram.
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1. Naomi Jumpsuit in berry
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Model: Anela Omerod
2. Sanae Maxi Dress in peacock ($126)
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3. Sanae Maxi Dress in natural black ($126) and Large Clutch with Leather Strap in peacock ($55)
Model: Binnie Keum
4. Mia Wrap Top in peacock ($78) and CocoKealohi Aunty Hat ($60)
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