Collette Kama and Nicole Hirota grew up a few blocks from each other on the North Shore and, since childhood, dreamed of going into business together.

For now, Roaming Runway is a part-time endeavor for Kama and Hirota. They've long shared a passion for fashion, and although they lacked the financial backing to open a storefront, they didn't let that stop them from realizing their dream.

They decided to simply bring their store to their customers, as one of a growing league of clothing entrepreneurs who have realized they don't need a storefront to be in business.

Kama and Hirota launched Roaming Runway, a boutique on wheels, a year ago and began throwing “;fashion socials”; in August, while continuing to work at full-time jobs.

Kama works in the medical records department at the Queen's Medical Center, and Hirota is a merchandiser for Quiksilver.

Kama describes the socials as “;your modern-day house party.”;

“;Nicole and I bring our entire inventory to your home for you and your girls to shop through while socializing,”; she added.

The events are free, and the incentive for the host is that she gets to keep merchandise worth 10 percent of total sales. The socials require a six-person minimum.

Roaming Runway's inventory includes clothing, jewelry and accessories from local labels such as Agent Lola, Ginger13, HuluWuwu, MachineMachine and Martinique. The two friends also stock mainland labels such as Big Buddha, L.A. Collective and Bellissima Jewelry.

Clothing prices range from $26 for a simple top or skirt to $130 for a convertible dress from Martinique, Hirota said.

“;We also tend to do features, featured items,”; Hirota said. “;At one social we featured 20 percent off of all Martinique products. The response was really good.”;

Kama said, “;It truly works out because we both like to network and meet new people, and we know that some girls don't like to go out and shop at the mall.”;

Kaera-Leili'a Kamakau is one of them. “;I'm not the type of person who likes to shop at the mall all day, so (the fashion socials) are a good way to narrow down your search,”; she said. “;Plus, at these socials all your girlfriends are there to give you their opinions and help you find the perfect fit.”;

Kuulehua Lorenzo also hosted a fashion social. A longtime friend of Hirota's, she said she initially hosted the event to support the business, but was impressed by Roaming Runway's selection and attention to detail.

“;Everything was pretty and cute,”; Lorenzo said. “;They had everything organized when it came time to pay, and even though we were good friends, they kept things professional.”;

She described the atmosphere as “;super-casual.”; Kama and Hirota provided wine and pupus, while Lorenzo and about a dozen of her friends hung out and browsed the wares.

There was no pressure to buy, Lorenzo said, but almost everyone who attended did.

“;I got three dresses, a bag, earrings and a bracelet,”; Lorenzo confessed.

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Roaming Runway will be at Night Market at Aloha Tower from 5 to 10 p.m. Jan. 20. To book a fashion social with Roaming Runway, call 351-4405 or e-mail .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).