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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Friday, February 1, 2008

In Kapolei, a day spa with retail therapy

By Paula Rath
Advertiser Staff Writer

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Tina Vines.

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Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser
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When Gloria Sterman began thinking about her day spa in the Kapolei Shopping Center, she imagined a place where women could go to luxuriate in all things feminine. Sure, there would be facials, massages and all manner of spa services. But she also wanted it to be a place where women could shop for their most feminine needs, such as lingerie and swimwear.

She named the spa Gialuchi, a made-up pseudo-Italian word for "beautiful woman." The boutique sells Cosabella lingerie, swimwear and day wear from Italy, as well as the fun, youth-oriented line Free People, from L.A.

Accessories include Brazilian handbags made of lambskin, goatskin and suede, as well as Brazilian bracelets. She also carries jewelry by localite Noelani, from the North Shore; 674-4424 or www.gialuchidayspa.com.

DON'T MISS OUR U MAG BLOGS

You don't have to wait until the spring issue of U mag, coming March 7, for your seasonal fashion fix. Just log on to our U mag blog, where you'll find the latest from Tina Vines in New York (working for Betsey Johnson), Amy DeFilippi somewhere in India (shopping, of course) or myself with news to use. (Yes, you can get that spaghetti stain out of your favorite blouse, and yes, we do have talent in Hawai'i that belongs on Project Runway.)

Fashion Forum members and I will be blogging regularly about everything from what we're reading and where we're shopping to the items we're lusting after right now. Just go to www.umaghawaii.com and click on blogs.

COOL KAILUA NIGHTS

Kailua's Uluniu and Aulike streets will take on street-fair flair from 4 to 9:30 p.m. tomorrow as Cool Kailua Nights takes over. The block party and health awareness event will benefit Castle Medical Center and the Ho'ola Cancer Exercise Wellness Program.

While the main focus is on food, with booths from many Kailua eateries (Lanikai Juice, Baci Bistro and Agnes Bakery, to name a few), there will also be a fashion presence. Global Village will have a booth with its Life is Good line of upbeat clothing, Hinano will sell its surf-inspired line, and there will be jewelry by Silpada, Twirled Creations, Bead It and Cynthia Originals. Magica artful wear and Lanikai Bath & Body will also have booths.

In the Social Wahines Lounge will be the Hawaii Fashion Incubator, to update the community on its progress, while Fashionista's Market will share its philosophy of shopping till you drop. Polygirl808 contemporary aloha wear will be under the tent, too. See www.CoolKailuaNights.com.

WI(RED) GLASS

After a foray into a multitude of other media, artist Kyle Ino has gone back to his roots, working with glass. His one-of-a-kind dichroic glass pieces, wrapped in sterling silver or 14K gold fill, have a bold, contemporary look.

Ino is the guest artist at the Gallery at Ward Center through Feb. 28. There will be an artist reception from 1 to 3 p.m. Feb. 9.

A portion of the proceeds from Ino's sales will be donated to the (red) campaign, a global fund supporting life-saving programs around the world, fighting AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.

Reach Paula Rath at paularath@aol.com.