Get a Look at Valia Honolulu’s Chic New Bethel Street Shop

The local boutique joins up with the rest of your Downtown favorites.

October 16, 2018

Brie Thalmann,

PHOTOS: AARON K. YOSHINO

With its impressive roster of local labels, including Yireh, Khush, Vermili and more, womenswear boutique Valia Honolulu has been a go-to for downtown fashionistas since opening in 2016. Despite its covetable stock, however, its slightly off-the-stiletto’d-path location on Hotel Street made it easy to miss on the way to Chinatown’s busy boutique hub a few streets over.

That all changes this month as Valia finds a new home smack dab in the middle of the mix. The boutique has moved on over to a spot in Mark’s Garage on Bethel Street, on the corner diagonally across from Fighting Eel. “We’re excited to be closer to the Chinatown community,” says owner Camille Heung. “Being on Bethel there are so many awesome neighbors and everyone has come over to welcome us. We feel like we’re part of the neighborhood now.”

The new spot is just 100 square feet larger, but with its high ceiling, square layout (the old store was long and narrow) and generous span of floor-to-ceiling picture windows spilling in light, it feels much roomier and brighter. Heung carried over a few décor elements from the previous location, including its blue-gray paint color and white pipe fixtures, but totally revamped the walls with rustic stained-wood paneling and filled the space with upcycled thrifted cabinets and dressers. “Everything in the store I physically put together or designed, or found ways to reinvent,” she says.

Next to the shop’s two fitting rooms (a bump up from the one at the former space) Heung added a cute sitting area complete with vintage mirror and accent chairs that she reupholstered herself with plush curtain fabric. “It’s meant to be really relaxing when you come in,” she says. “You can try things on and hang out with your girlfriend. It’s a judgment free zone.”

Heung sees the extra room translating to bigger and more frequent in-store events—her pop-up shops, trunk shows and workshops are already popular. Mark your calendar for a pop-up on Oct. 26, from noon to 5 p.m., with local childrenswear label Ashley Rose.

It also means more must-have merchandise. Yireh’s new Phases of the Moon collection just hit the floor and Oct. 20 marks the launch of a fresh Umbrella Collective release—a range of the brand’s sold-out Midi Day Bag style featuring colorful lining combos exclusive to the boutique.

Valia Honolulu, Mark’s Garage, 1140 Bethel St., (808) 208-8585, open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., valiahonolulu.com.