Images by Jonas Maon
For years, rumors swirled of Urban Outfitters making its way to the middle of the Pacific. Finally, on November 29, those rumors were laid to rest with the opening of the new Urban Outfitters in Waikīkī—an event seven years in the making celebrated by Honolulu hipsters, urbanites, and lovers of fashion alike. We stopped in a day before its dramatic debut to browse the store and learn about the creativity behind Waikīkī’s newest landmark installation.
Like other Urban Outfitters in areas with burgeoning fashion scenes (Brooklyn, for example), the Waikīkī location carries products from local designers. In the Sun Shop, a section of the store dedicated to swimwear and beach accessories, we came upon a few happy surprises: items by local designers like A.Wattz Dezigns, Roam Hawaii, and Meleana Estes. A bright geometric mural by Kristin Farr of Pow! Wow! Hawaii took center stage behind the first-floor cash register, and her designs carried over onto the totes also available at the store.
The new Souvenir Shop section, which is exclusive to Hawai‘i, is a contemporary take on the traditional tchotchke, offering souvenirs like “aloha”-emblazoned mason jars, pins, beach towels, and Zippo lighters. Every aspect of the two-story, 13,000 square foot store was specially designed and constructed for this location, and in-house artists were given creative freedom to bring forth a unique experience. The space is full of natural light and in typical urban style, filled with funky industrial furniture made of repurposed wood, metal, and marble.
To keep the party going, the UO team will bring a bit of its bicoastal urban vibe to the islands on December 11 with a free event at the Republik featuring Twin Shadow.
Urban Outfitters Waikīkī is located on the ‘ewa end of the Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort, 2424 Kalakaua Ave. Parking validation not available.