After years of living in Paris, New York and Los Angeles, longtime friends Annee Au and Aline Lam recently became business partners. Wanting to bring a little of the chic of those cities to the streets of Honolulu, the returning Island girls opened Annee Aline in Kaimuki on Wednesday.

"Honolulu doesn't have this kind of boutique," Au said. "We want to develop relationships with our customers so we can offer styling to help dress women. We want to get them into something they love and feel connected to. We want to get to where they trust us to help them choose."

The first designer they chose was 3.1 Philip Lim, a hot new talent who is getting lots of national fashion press. The friends had an in with Lim — Lam worked with him at United Colors of Benetton in California. They've also tapped Bliss Lau, a Punahou and Parsons graduate who designs her own line of handbags in New York.

Other lines they will feature are Immortality jeans, Issa dresses, Alisa Dunlop vintage swimwear designs and Jovovich-Hawk, the brainchild of models Milla Jovovich and Carmen Hawk.

Annee Aline: 3583B Wai'alae Ave. (off the parking lot in back of Big City Diner and Café Laufer, in the space formerly occupied by Shop Girl), Kaimuki; 737-2300.

ELLE FACE JEWELRY

Lori Anne Tomonari has launched Elle Face, a new jewelry line, which premiered at swimwear designer Melia Conrad's fashion show last week. Tomonari's delicate yet dramatic hoop earrings, woven bracelets and layered necklaces cost $60 to $300.

Riches Kahala and Tomonari will put on a trunk show of her work as part of the Viva la Diva events at the Kahala Mall, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. tomorrow in the Mode Lounge near Center Stage.

DIAMONDS ARE FOR NOW

Jewelry designer Philip Rickard is sponsoring a first Wedding & Diamond event at his Ala Moana Center store. Rickard himself will be on hand to consult with customers and help them customize their designs. In addition, diamond expert and distributor Moshe Hakemolo from Israel will answer questions, collaborate on designs and offer one-time wholesale discounts.

The event takes place during store hours today through Monday.

NEW KAHALA BOUTIQUE

Jina Watanabe and Chong Yamamoto have lots of years in retail between them, having worked with Ferragamo, Theory and DFS. Now they've decided to create a new venture as partners. It's called In My Closet, because, said Wata-nabe, "We wanted to create a dream walk-in closet for women."

Among the lines carried are Fetching, Tee-Party, Boy Meets Girl, Code Vintage and Sea of Tranquility. The store is near Center Court, next door to The Compleat Kitchen.

AVEDA STYLISTS IN MILAN

A team of stylists from Aveda Salon & Spa in Ala Moana Center is spending a week in Milan at Aveda's international Spring Master Jam. "It's an event designed to inspire Aveda stylists from all over the world," said Ala Moana store manager Lititia Thomas, in a statement.

The team will study the latest trends in color, cut and styling. Team members include leader Cherie Stamm-Roberts, Michelle Combs, Brandy Bennion and Naomi Sparrowhawk.

Reach Paula Rath at paularath@aol.com.