Ka Leo O Hawaii

Issue date: 3/6/08 Section: Mixed Plate

For the first time ever, Hawai‘i's premiere designer sample sale, Fashionista's Market, will host The ULTIMATE Girl's Night Out this Friday along with its Super Saturday shopping event this weekend.

It will be held at the Ala Moana Hotel's Hibiscus Ballroom from 4 to 6 p.m. and offer a variety of activities fitting of a night out with the BFFs.

What style-conscious girl can resist makeovers and massages, Bacardi cocktails and Asti mini champagne splits, and shopping designer merchandise at 50 to 80 percent off retail price?

Malia Marks, an intern with Fashionista's Market, explained the idea behind UGNO.

"It came from the idea that shopping should be about having a great time with your girlfriends: ridiculously fun, enjoyable and relaxing!"

Started by Emi Hart and Alyssa Fung, Fashionista's Market was designed as a way for women to look and feel good about themselves by offering designer pieces - hand-picked by the self-proclaimed "picky" fashionistas Hart and Fung - for a fraction of the price. A portion of the proceeds from Fashionista's Market events is donated to various local charitable organizations.

Fashionista's Market is dedicated to empowering women. The UGNO will feature organizations like Chicks With Checks, Social Wahines, Hawai‘i Fashion Incubator and Leeward Domestic Abuse Shelter and will reveal the before-and-after transformation of two women selected from a handful of candidates from the battered women's shelter in "Project Makeover" (another Hart and Fung endeavor).

"We wanted to honor these women who had the courage to leave a bad situation and help them realize they are beautiful inside and out," said Fung, in a press release last week.

Super Saturday offers four more hours of discounted designer shopping at the Japanese Cultural Center's Mānoa Ballroom Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Along with designer brands like Tokidoki, Harajuku Lovers, Ed Hardy, True Religion, Paige, C & C California, Frenzii and Jully Kang, among others, both events will also feature independent local clothing and jewelry designers Roberta Oaks, Ginger 13, Muumuu Heaven, Tsang & Mai, Theo SF, Silpada Designs and more.

"I finally think fashion is making a statement in Hawai‘i, and it's fabulous!" Marks said. "I only hope that it will continue to expand and grow in the future."

Please be aware that dressing rooms are communal, no big bags are allowed at the events, and Friday's event is for the 21+ crowd only.

A portion of the proceeds from both events will go to Chicks With Checks. Bring a friend and check out this weekend's events.

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