Fendi is on the move.
The Italian luxury brand said aloha to its Ala Moana shopping center location in Honolulu at the end of January and moved to the Royal Hawaiian Center nearby where it has a large 3,186-square-foot outpost carrying women’s and men’s ready-to-wear, shoes, leather goods and accessories.
The new store, which opened Friday, allowed the Italian fashion house to add some distinctive design features influenced by the tropical elements found in Hawaii. Among the venue’s distinguishing details are handmade concrete palm tiles on the facade that lend a three-dimensional effect to the exterior. Those palm tiles also adorn some of the store walls inside.
The second floor showcasing the women’s collection. Courtesy: Fendi
The first floor houses women’s leather goods and accessories in one room and the men’s collection in a second room decorated in green and camel tones. In addition, wooden and raffia elements add a warm hue to the men’s area.
A staircase made of Hawaiian acacia koa wood with a wall in striped travertine leads to the second floor where the women’s collection is located. The floors are covered by handmade agave fiber carpets in golden and copper shades, and the area is highlighted by handmade display tables in red travertine. Shoes are displayed on special marble shelves.
To add a comfortable feeling, the area is complemented with Fendi Casa furniture that blends in with the raffia and wood accented environment.
The first floor displays women’s shoes and accessories. Courtesy: Fendi
The Royal Hawaiian Center, an outdoor shopping venue, is very Hawaiian with its large stands of tall palm trees that tower over the area. Not far from Waikiki Beach, the center opened in 1979 with about 100 shops in three separate buildings. In 2007, it underwent a $100 million remodel and now houses numerous luxury brands, including Saint Laurent, Jimmy Choo and Kate Spade.
Fendi was established in Rome in 1923 by Adele and Edoardo Fendi, who established a fur and leather shop in the Italian capital. In 1946, the five Fendi sisters — Paola, Anna, Franca, Carla and Alda — joined the company as the second generation of the family-owned enterprise.
In 1966, Karl Lagerfeld joined the house as its designer for fur and womenswear, staying with the brand for more than 50 years. In 2001, LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton became a major stakeholder in the company. Kim Jones is the current creative director.
