La Muse Boutique in Downtown Honolulu

Eclectic Feel: La Muse boutique makes an artful entrance.

honolulu shops

Downtown’s burgeoning shopping district just added another feather to its cap. Next door to Human Imagination on Nuuanu, a stone’s throw from Owens & Co., the newly opened La Muse boutique offers a tightly edited mix of high-end swimwear, off-beat jewelry pieces, and quirky home and fashion accessories from around the globe.  

Owner Julia Chu curates the collection with a discerning eye, bringing in items only in tiny batches, and opting for the unique whenever possible. Here, Fifi Lapin goodies get taken up a notch with Swarovski crystal accents hand-applied by Chu herself. In place of plain, roll-up eco totes, La Muse’s Nonlife Zoo versions tuck neatly into backs of plush polar bears and lions. And her beach towels? No less than top-quality Fresco Towels made from ridiculously soft Turkish cotton.

All wares are artfully displayed—Italian-made bikinis by Emamo and Masquenada, along with sets by former Missoni designer Hanne Bloch hang in rows of ornate scrolled frames, dainty pendant necklaces dangle precariously from a giant moose antler and Steampunk-style rings sit among Eames miniatures.

You’ll also find racks of luxe beach cover-ups, raw-cut Naturalistics stone rings, wood crates filled with charming, handmade fabric dolls from Israel, and much more. 1156 Nuuanu Ave., 536-0818.