The name Vera Wang is synonymous with understated elegance. For decades, the New York designer's wedding gowns have been the stuff of dreams for brides-to-be.

In recent years, Wang has branched out into ready-to-wear, her sophisticated, timeless runway looks catching the eye of fashion editors from Vogue, Elle, W, Harper's Bazaar and Women's Wear Daily.

Last year, she made her first foray into interior design, putting her impeccable stamp on two suites in the Halekulani hotel. Now, as an extension of that experience, Donna Bebber has opened the world's first Vera Wang Lifestyle boutique, carrying a line of luxury gifts with the designer's name and aeshetic, at the Waikiki hotel.

A hands-on perfectionist, Vera Wang either designs or approves every item in the boutique, and each is produced through licensing agreements with manufacturers. The china and crystal, for example, are Wedgwood.

Bebber, formerly vice president for development of the Honolulu Symphony, is finding her first foray into the world of retail a little scary but exciting. Her daughter, Kylie Coonse, handles sales and back-of-the-house. Manager is Lisa Konove, formerly with Neiman Marcus.

The boutique is stocked with pretty accents to life, like champagne flutes ($77 per pair) and dishwasher-safe classic china bearing Vera Wang's signature "Love Knots" design.

Fine papers, including boxed thank-you notes and place cards, speak to the personal art of handwritten notes. Custom wedding invitations will soon be offered with a two-week turnaround time, as will a bridal registry.

Baby items, from a collection that includes a piggy bank, dishes, teething rings and a heart-shaped music box (which, at $60, is selling as a grown-up girl gift to women), are proving a sellout in the new boutique.

The only ready-to-wear item available is a cardigan sweater, but arriving just in time for Valentine's Day is Vera Wang's new lingerie line.

Bebber also plans to have semiannual trunk shows of evening and wedding gowns.

Vera Wang has designed two lines of jewelry — fine jewelry in platinum or white gold with gemstones such as diamonds, sapphires and amethysts, and the fashion line in yellow gold with such stones as tourmalines and citrines. As with her clothes, the aesthetic of both collections is delicate, feminine and youthful.

Stylish, sophisticated gifts include silver or leather picture frames, etched crystal vases, magnifying glasses, and fragrances for men and women.

A Tiffany-inspired simple ivory box with grosgrain ribbon trim makes gift-giving simpler, with no additional wrapping necessary.