WHEN local business entrepreneur Michelle Lin first fell in love with the word “Iridescent,” which means displaying a play of lustrous colors like those of the rainbow, she knew the word meant something special to her.
In almost a calling of destiny, “Iridescent,” is now the name of her new line of boutiques, with one set open this Sunday at the Joeten Hafa Adai Center at 11 a.m. and another to open this April on Kapiolani and Cooke Street in Honolulu, Hawaii.
“I have always loved that word, I think of a beautiful sheen of shimmering colors every time I hear it and that is what the boutiques stand for,” smiled Lin. “It has been a long, adventurous process, but with all the thought and planning put into it, our customers will benefit from it.”
“Iridescent” is a boutique that offers high fashion for affordable prices, from outfits to accessories, in a chic and comfortable atmosphere.
“When you walk into Iridescent, you will be taken to a different, special place. We would like for our customers to feel comfortable and would just want to hang out in our shop,” said Lin.
Iridescent also makes shopping very easy with all of the outfits and accessories organized by color.
“If you are looking for that perfect sun dress, you will know where to find it,” said Lin. “We also want to make it easy for our customers to keep up with the latest fashion trends by having a large selection of accessories.”
Anyone can update their wardrobe by just adding the right set of accessories from earrings, necklaces, bracelets, belts, scarves, shoes to handbags, says Lin.
“You will always have your ‘classics,’ your favorite clothes to wear or basic set, such as jeans or a black top. To dress it up, just add a beautiful necklace and heels and you’re good to go,” said Lin. “The hottest trend right now in Spring are bright colors.”
Lin’s Fiancée Peter Sablan collaborated with her to come up with the design for Iridescent’s logo, a butterfly and a chandelier, which five sit in the center of the Garapan shop.
“They are 3-D chandeliers and they make the room more like a home, so it is comfortable and inviting,” said Lin.
“Although the shop mostly carries women’s outfits and accessories, we are planning to add a line of men’s wear later on. Right now, we have Peter’s own sportswear line of ‘Choke Chain’ products,” she said. “He now has T-shirts, tank tops and board shorts.”
With her fiancée now in the clothing business, Lin has always been surrounded by fashion.
Right after graduating with a Bachelor of Science Arts Degree in Fashion Design and Merchandising from the University of Hawaii, Lin came back to Saipan and helped her mom, Mary, in their successful fashion shop, Pena House Boutique in Chalan Kanoa.
Soon, Lin learned the ropes of managing a business as well as keeping on top of the fashion world and decided to open her own retail chain.
“I hope to open another boutique in Guam next year. Iridescent is a place where you can express yourself through fashion. Each one of us is unique and colorful—all you have to do is translate that into your outfits,” Lin smiled.
Iridescent is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. from Monday to Sunday.