sierra dew spring 2010

kalo hippie mini * ginger leggings

after cruising around funky paia town while visiting maui last month, capturing the essence of the bustling beachside neighborhood has eluded me since my trip. and then it hit me: paia is like a hawaii version of venice (city of angels edition, natch) with its mix of cosmpolitan boutiques, indie eateries, and the occasional tourist trap squeezed along the rambling walkways of the former plantation town turned soulful hippie hotspot.

it turns out that little paia is the hometown of designer sierra dew who traded life on the neighbor island for the chance to explore the world of fiber arts at uh manoa. after a few years in honolulu, she opted to continue her design education in italy and nyc before returning home to paia to establish her own label. now based in kaneohe, her small collection of contemporary wearables feature screenprinted looks on a modern assortment of readymade garments that have been finished with handmade details ranging from organic lace embellishments to recycled fabric belts.

the little activist in me also loves how a simple t-shirt occasionally becomes sierra's canvas to juxtapose provocative designs which shine the spotlight on issues like genetically modified food crops (an ongoing debate for the islands' agricultural lands) on an unexpectedly flirty silhouette.

happily, sierra is committed to offering eco-friendly goods and produces her designs on organic & sweatshop-free blanks, and made the transition to screenprinting from custom stencils only after sourcing non-toxic printing inks. and, to complete the look, sierra also crafts a collection of beachy bohemian sparkle featuring handpicked seashells mingling with metals and exotic feathers.

dragonfish trapeze w/ recycled fabric belt * bad corn tunic

cowrie shell diamond * egyptian amulet * stripe feather hoop

opihi ring & cuff * seaweed ring

i thought it would be fun to give readers a chance to get to know sierra in her own words, and she kindly agreed to take part in the debut of h|h's q&a:

{designer notes}

how has growing up in hawai'i influenced your design process?
it has made me realize that i don't want to be a part of the "rat race". growing up in hawai'i we are naturally more relaxed; i let my designs evolve and take me on a journey. growing up here has also given me a design purpose to protect the beauty of my birthplace which has lead to more of my political artwork.

what is your definition of good design?
perfect chaos and intentional meaning. i love an exciting mix of color, print, and details. i think it is very important to begin with a concept. with the fashion industry being so "disposable" i think it is important to convey meaning, provoke thought, and create energy with every new design.

little moments of bliss that recharge your soul?
dancing, picking shells, my dad's cooking.

local delights that are a must in your beach picnic basket?
when i'm back on maui i live at my parents store mana foods and at baldwin beach. i love the raw food peppermint patties and the gluten-free "lizzie" cookies.

daily soundtrack:
goapele, loreena mckennit, matisyahu, nellie mckay, orishas, manu chau

pay it forward with a few words of wisdom . . .
remember to be young in your heart and to get out of your comfort zone!

mahalo sierra!

styles from spring 2010 are starting to find their way into the online shop as well as local stockists (fyi shop owners: sierra is currently on the lookout for new boutiques). custom design inquiries are also welcome.

this weekend brings your next chance to meet sierra who will be stenciling tees & bags during keiki earth day at baby aWEARness (which will also be stocking sd styles in their kokua festival booth next weekend).

• when: sat, apr 17th - 11a to 3p
• where: baby aWEARness, manoa marketplace

take a peek at the collection and remember to report back with your favorite designs!

stacia spring 2010

baja stripe hoodie

spring seems to have finally arrived on the west coast but the cozy lightweight layers found throughout the spring 2010 collection from la-based label stacia would have been most welcome during a windy visit to maui (gusts up to 50 mph!) and a chilly family potluck in mililani.

the first thing to catch my eye were the bold stripes sprinkled throughout the collection which seem to be a bit of a departure from recent offerings. this time around designer stacy johnson took inspiration beyond the shores of her childhood island home filling her sketchbook with memories of the gorgeous baja coast with its sparkling blue seas juxtaposed with arid desertscapes for a modern and softer take on the scratchy woven textiles many a tourist has lugged back from the border.

brighter possibilities were plucked straight from the candy colored jersey shore and that dreamy beach house found on so many of our wish lists. bamboo jersey blends are spring's featured ecoknit and appear in varying weights in a mix of covetable cardis, hoodies, tees, dresses and scarves.

chevron stripe vee

baja dress

square scarf

stacy's studio is only open by appointment and the occasional sample sale so your best bet is to click over to the online shop or find your neighborhood stockist.

• where: 1307 ½ pico blvd, santa monica
• fyi: by appointment only

l.a. readers can also scoop up looks from past seasons at the designer sample sale pop-up shop on abbott kinney in venice.

p.s. after you take a peek at the collection, remember to click over to comments and share your favorite styles!

new peeks: mu'umu'u heaven

bean bag & bear

by now i should know that posting during a visit home is like a magic 8-ball prediction - very doubtful. between bouncing between two families, a wedding, playing tour guide with out-of-town pals, and island hopping (aloha conn & john!), the days this time around flew by in a snap with half my to do list remaining untouched.

i did manage to take a peek inside mu'umu'u heaven's expanded space which now includes a home section filled with charming eco-friendly goods. two of mu'umu'u heaven's newest additions to catch my eye were the cheery bean bags ($80; cover only) and bird mobiles crafted from scraps of fabric left over from the production process of transforming no longer loved mu'umu'us into the reinvented styles stocked across the way in the boutique.

the mister and i also couldn't help stopping to admire a piece made by honolulu designer mark chai who upcycled a 55 gallon plastic barrel into a comfy lounge chair ($1500). and, the shop walls are currently filled with heather brown prints and other goodies including the brand new organic green with aloha totes which had just hit the shop floor the day of my visit.

more peeks below . . .

delightful birdie mobile

barrel chair by mark chai

alas, none of these pieces are available in the online shop so you will have to hele over to mu'umu'u heaven's kailua outpost which also happens to employ some of the nicest shopgirls on the island:

• where: 767 kailua road, kailua
• shop hours: mon to sat, 10a to 6p & sun, 11a to 4p

introducing: sleep under stars

sweet birthday lei

i happened upon the sleep under stars etsy shop last week and found myself instantly charmed by the delightful paper goods line with a sweet hint of the islands. kate, the mililani girl (now based in the bay area) who launched the eco-friendly stationery last month, is a former magazine designer and based the playful designs found throughout the collection on her own watercolors and sketches (occasionally, a hand painted detail will find its way onto a card for an unexpected note of whimsy).

sleep under stars' extended 'ohana is filled with cuddly creatures reminiscent of childhood companions who, although stuffed, are always ready for a good adventure. her sweet duo, papoose and whalephanty (a hapa whale/elephant), enjoy the little delights of life in hawaii from stringing lei to popping firecrackers to scooping up crack seed at the neighborhood sweet shop.

and, readers still on the lookout for winter greetings will be happy to become acquainted with their friends who are known to merrily slip on long johns to throw snowballs, wrangle xmas trees, and partake in other festive fare.

firecracker new year + li hing mui

hawaii buttons + shooting the curl

handpainted skies

also, take note that many of the card designs can be customized with hawaiian greetings, and one of a kind artwork crafted just for you may also be commissioned.

meet more of the sleep under stars 'ohana, including hula loving honeygirl, over in the etsy shop where you can add a little more wonder to your world via buttons, bookplates, and gift tags.

and, remember to mention h|h at checkout to receive a complimentary set of three hawaii bookplates with your order!

• secret code: hapahale (enter in notes to seller)
• expires: fri, jan 1st

happy hale*days 09: mele roundup

big storms seem to be pounding both sides of the pacific today so cozy up with a toasty mug of cocoa and enjoy a little roundup of merry finds from hawaii and beyond designed to delight your december with the xmas spirit!

1 - heather brown's charming peace bird ($20/set) is a budget-friendly way to share a peek of the local artist's work.

2 - tina from joie studio tipped me off on these mele kalikimaka wishes ($16.50/set) by fugu fugu press, pasadena letterpress friends who swoon for a permanent island holiday.

3 - dress up your bulletin board with xmas magnets ($2 each) featuring kat uno designs' adorable reindeer, cheery santas, and sweetly snarky gingerbread (available at alliway).

4 - 100% recycled notes printed with soy-based inks is just one reason why my favorite peeps found norie & lee's sweet surfing buddies ($9/set) in their mailbox last year.

5 - vertallee letterpress wraps xmas lights around balmy palm trees to send faraway friends wishes for a hot holiday ($16/set)

6 - bvik ink from san diego offers up a swell santa ($20/set) letterpressed with folksy charm.

7 - seaworthy silhouettes compose portland-based kapuanani designs' carefully constructed xmas tree cards ($12/set) printed with aloha on 100% recycled cards.

8 - mele kalikimaka stickers ($12/set) by kauai's simply embellish can be customized to adorn gifts or holiday cards.

9 - nix the paper wrap and give cheer ($10) via chewing the cud's reusable eco-friendly furoshiki wraps printed on organic cotton.

10 - hand appliquéd pineapples add an island pop to arcadia home's felt tree skirt ($180).

11 - dimmalimm's hibiscus slip-on coasters ($24/set) i.d. wine glasses and protect your tabletops with a hint of tropical cheer during holiday bashes.