Trend Watch: The Owner of Honolulu-Based Label Pi Collection Shows Us How to Wear a Modern Slip Dress

Local jewelry designer Lauryn Gordines shows us how to rock the slinky ’90s staple and spills on her latest project—it’ll get your creative juices flowing.

November 18, 2019

Brie Thalmann, Photos by Aaron K. Yoshino,

Vince slip dress, $285, Neiman Marcus, Ala Moana Center, (808) 951-8887. Kenzo tee, $286, T Galleria by DFS, (808) 931-2700. Staud Mini Bisset bag, $325. Saks Fifth Avenue, (808) 600-2500. Mercedes Castillo Mildred mules, $350, Nordstrom, Ala Moana Center, (808) 953-6100. All jewelry, Pi Collection, thepicollection.com.

Gordines in the events room at Entrepreneurs Sandbox.

Nothing represents minimal ’90s fashion better than the slip dress. And per fall’s runways, the wisp of a garment is making a comeback, rocked here by Lauryn Gordines, a former ’90s kid who “lived in Bongo shorts and babydoll dresses” and idolized Beverly Hills 90210: “I wanted Kelly Taylor’s look so bad!” As designer of clean-lined jewelry label Pi Collection, Gordines knows a thing or two about styling minimal pieces in fun, fresh ways. Today, she updates the throwback with edgy tees, slouchy sweaters and animal-print accessories.

Vince slip dress, $285, Kenzo sweater, $445. Neiman Marcus, Ala Moana Center, (808) 951-8887. Clare V. waist bag, $299. Nordstrom, Ala Moana Center, (808) 953-6100. Superstar sneakers, $595. Golden Goose, Luxury Row, (808) 931-6060. All jewelry, Pi Collection, thepicollection.com.

Minimal is also an apt description for our setting, Entrepreneurs Sandbox, Honolulu’s sleek new coworking spot that has its grand opening in Kaka‘ako in October. The modern 13,500-square-foot building houses offices, meeting rooms and an events area that Gordines has filled several times over as community organizer for the recently launched Hawai‘i chapter of CreativeMornings, the breakfast lecture series designed for the creative set.

Already, CreativeMornings is drawing big talents: designer Matt Bruening; Vanguard Theory creative director Michelle Jaime; and October’s speaker Kamea Hadar, co-lead director of Pow! Wow! Worldwide. “The platform is inclusive and inviting, and it breaks down the barriers of competition within the community,” says Gordines. “We have the opportunity to connect creatives in all industries and inspire everyone to nurture their creative souls.”

creativemornings.com, sandboxhawaii.org