Fighting Eel fans—the day has finally arrived! After months of teasing her brand’s fifth O‘ahu location, designer Lan Chung’s new Mānoa boutique will open this Friday, March. 7, from 5 to 9 p.m. After that, it will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The shop is located on East Mānoa Road in the two-story building that formerly housed Mānoa Gallery (you may remember it from its green and white facade) right next door to Feast. We stopped in for an early look—here’s what to expect.
Bright and airy, it’s good vibes from the moment you step through the door. Chung gave the space the Fighting Eel treatment, fitting its 1,200 square feet with fluted wood fixtures, arched details and textural lighting in neutral hues that allow the merch to really pop. And pop it does—there’s so much great eye candy, it’s hard to know where to start.
Head left and you’ll immediately hit our favorite rack, filled with fashions from Chung’s recent Black Label and Romance Capsule collections. Chung herself was rocking the Black Label Harlow dress, featuring a lovely green-and-pink anthurium print and flirty keyhole bodice. Wall cubbies contain a slew of home and lifestyle accessories—this is the largest selection of those categories that I’ve seen in any of the FE stores—from blankets and shower curtains to room fragrances, chopsticks and melamine plate sets.
Head right for swimwear, men’s shirts and shelves brimming with fashion accessories—think caps embroidered with local sayings, fish-print wallets, neoprene waist bags and more. Back near the fitting room and lounge zone, browse mini racks filled with keiki swimwear and clothing. New parents and those hunting for baby gifts will appreciate the cheery onesies, diaper changing pads, bib sets and swaddles…