La Vie en Rose

Kim Castellano’s (pictured) Tiare Rose 2,500-square-foot boutique is now open at The Shops at Mauna Lani (photos courtesy Tiare Rose).

When SoCal native Kim Castellano headed to the Big Island from Sun Valley, Idaho in 2020 during the height of the pandemic, there was something about the Islands that just felt right. So right that the consummate entrepreneur, along with her husband, decided to make their extended stay in Hawai‘i a more permanent one. And since Castellano already had a successful boutique, Tiare Rose, in the resort town of Sun Valley, she decided to put up a second location at another tony vacation destination — this time closer to her new Big Island address, at The Shops at Mauna Lani.

With a name like Tiare Rose, it seemed a Hawai‘i-based brick-and-mortar was fated to happen, which it did, in November last year. But unlike most of its shop neighbors, Tiare Rose operates as a multi-channel retail store, which means alongside the Sun Valley and Mauna Lani locations, it also has a full-fledged e-commerce site for anyone else who can’t make it into the boutiques. But the 2,500-square-foot Big Island shop has more than a few fun things in store to merit an in-person visit.

A welcome addition to the local retail scene, the store prides itself on its curated collection of sustainable-luxe goods — brands that have ethical practices, manufacture responsibly, and utilize natural components and fabrics as much as possible. From swimwear and kaftans to crisp poplin dresses and linen trousers, limited-run pieces come from local labels, emerging designers and more established brands who produce one-of-a-kind goods. Tiare Rose also boasts a selection of accessories, beauty and lifestyle products, so at the end of the day, the store truly is much more than the chic collection of clothes it houses. Add to the mix its Aloha Friday events — a kind of community and visitor meet-and-greet where guests can mingle with designers and learn more about a variety of beauty practices and products, who wouldn’t want to pop in?

And if you really can’t stop by, Tiare Rose’s new mobile retail service, Vacay Valet, is a great option for travelers, where you select items before arrival and the shop will send it straight to your accommodation. Try it on in your room, keep what you want, and they pick up everything else the next morning. Castellano says, “We want to create a memorable experience that visitors and residents alike can delight in, from discovering new local, sustainable and elevated brands to experiencing the convenience of Vacay Valet.”

tiarerose.com