Emma Wo, 2008 Miss Hawaii Teen USA, is going to wow 'em in the pageant finals in the Bahamas in a fabulous butterfly dress by Alexander McQueen. She and her mother, Kitty Wo, were having tea in the Wynn hotel in Las Vegas with Wo's coaches, Takeo and Eric Chandler, who are also the executive directors of the Miss Hawaii USA and Miss Hawaii Teen USA pageants. As they were leaving the tea room, "the dress just jumped right out at us, and we knew it was the one," Chandler said.

Wo, the granddaughter of Maurice Sullivan, founder of Foodland, "is totally ready ... sooo ready" for the August pageant, Chandler said. "She's a diamond in the crown, a joy-filled, delightful, fantastic young woman. We are so lucky to be working beside her."

CLUB MONACO OPENS

Today marks the opening of Hawai'i's first Club Monaco, an international retailer known for its classic black-and-white wardrobe staples. The 4,200 square foot flagship store is located in the new Nordstrom wing of Ala Moana Center and will offer the brand's entire collection. A favorite of urban professionals seeking the perfect white shirt or the tailored black pant, Club Monaco offers a full line of men's and women's updated classics, as well as a collection of seasonal trends. The store will also feature the brand's first collection of eyewear and swimwear, which debuted this spring.

Among the special features offered to Island shoppers are private appointments with personal shoppers (they call them brand stylists) and free in-store tailoring, a nice perk for petites seeking shortened pants and skirts.

The grand opening will celebrate the worldwide debut of Club Monaco's Fleur de Lys jewelry collection, limitededition pave gold necklaces, cuffs, charm bracelets and pendants with prices from $79.

To celebrate its grand opening, Club Monaco is partnering with The Honolulu Academy of Arts and ARTafterDARK to host "See the World in Black and White," an in-store, black-and-white photo exhibit by three local photographers: Mark Arbeit, Naomi Olson and Aaron Padilla. Their work features iconic images of Hawaii.

The exhibit will be unveiled at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday and will run until closing. Appetizers and cocktails will be available to shoppers all evening. All proceeds from the sales of the photos will benefit the two arts organizations.

'DRESS FOR SUCCESS' BENEFIT

The Laniakea YWCA is holding its monthly clothing sale to benefit the Dress for Success program this weekend, with new and pre-owned women's business and casual attire in a wide range of sizes at $25 for suits, $10 for dresses and $5 for pants, skirts and tops.

One hundred percent of the proceeds goes to support Dress for Success, which provides free interview clothing for economically challenged women seeking employment.

The sale wil be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. today and 9 a.m. to noon tomorrow at the Laniakea YWCA, 1040 Richards St.; 538-7061, ext. 235.