malia mills swim 2009

pucker strawberry fields

whether your beach body issue is coverage or curves, ny-based swimwear architect malia mills (who may be the first hawaii-born designer to be inducted into the cfda) has a suit designed to flatter no matter your shape or size. the new collection recently hit the online shop with looks ranging from urban sophisticate with a minimum of fuss to pinup glamour complete with flirty shirring and cinches.

since malia was last featured, the eponymous label has expanded its seasonless offerings with a swoon-worthy selection of frocks for readers who covet city girl coverups. plus, a girls swim line also made its debut with the option to rock a matching mother & daughter set (phone order only).

more peeks below . . .

pleated flirt & majorette

dreamboat

diana * marais * tie me up

in happy news, the coconut wire sent along word that malia mills is returning to los angeles this week with the opening of an outpost at the brentwood country mart. 'tis the closest shop to the islands, so next time you find yourself in lala-land, hele over for a personalized fitting and the chance to scoop up jewelry from bliss lau, yet another local girl designer based back east.

• where: 225 26th street, santa monica
• shop hours: mon to sun, 11a to 6p

you can, of course, shop online or click over to the stockist list to locate a brick and mortar shop near you.

p.s. the bittersweet brown colorway is being retired so if you splurge on a new suit you can score one in b.brown for 50% off. click here for more details.

{update | feb 13th: the malia mills 'ohana sent over an exclusive $50 coupon just for h|h readers. enjoy the extra savings by mon, aug 31st.}

ko'olau - a true story of kaua'i

the lovely woodblock prints by big island artist caren loebel-fried are one of my favorite things so you can imagine my excitement upon discovering that a stage production in nyc featuring her artwork made its debut last week. the story of ko'olau is being told through japanese-style puppetry created by ny-based local boy tom lee (who is also directing the show) set against projected backdrops based on caren's woodblocks.

this traditional storytelling style combines with live shadow animation and video projections to tell the story of kaluaiko'olau, a 19th century paniolo on kaua'i who resisted being deported to a leper colony and separated from his family after contracting the disease. together they fled to a remote valley where the family lived until the death of ko'olau and his son.

after the ordeal, ko'olau's wife pi'ilani recounted the family's struggles and it is her dramatic tale of love and 'ohana that the production is based on.

since most of us can't make the show, click over to the gallery to take a fascinating peek at the puppets and production design. performance details below for those lucky readers who call new york home:

• show dates: now to sun, oct 5th
• show times: fri/sat - 10p & sun - 5:30p
• where: la mama experimental theatre club, nyc
• tix: $18

let's hope ko'olau makes it way west and across the pacific one day!

p.s. prints of caren's work are available over in her etsy shop.

on the town with malia mills

t-dress

malia mills' childhood in hawaii inspired her foray into the world of swimwear where she seamlessly blends styles made for every body (and every age) with a sophistication hinting at her east coast home base. and while malia has made a name for herself designing suits that show off your curves to their maximum advantage, lately she has been extending her collection into pieces more suited for everyday wear featuring the feminine details fans have come to love.

i am loving the t-dress which seems to be a more modern take on the classic pareau. it's made of the same pretty swiss dot fabric seen throughout the collection, and the versatile design allows it be wrapped in a number of ways depending on your mood.

lulu

kalola

you can get your malia mills fix either online or at one of a handful of eponymous boutiques scattered from ny to chicago (alas, no shop or stockists in the islands yet).

malia's sister carol, who helps run both the company and the official mm blog, was kind enough to send along a $50 coupon for h|h readers. the coupon is good until the end of 2008 and can be redeemed either in-store or via phone order (so a fit specialist can help you find the perfect suit).

click rewind to learn more.

bliss lau fall 2007 collection

bijou

nyc-based designer bliss lau is out with her fall 07 collection. many of her exquisitely crafted leather goods mix autumn's must have rich hues (think purple, scarlet & navy) with shapes reminiscent of the islands. the bijou features an organic palm frond silhouette while the flora clutch sports an eye catching hawaiian quilt inspired cut out in which to slip your hand.

the truly fashion forward must take a peek at the latest incarnation of jewelry designed by bliss that can be worn traditionally or as a bold layering piece wrapped around your body.

flora clutch + arm candy

an edited selection of the fall collection is available online or, if you prefer an in person peek, stop by riches kahala & queens candy shop (a stockist list is also posted on the website).

fyi - lucky nyc scores their very own private sale later this week:

• when: thu, oct 4th - 6p to 10p
• where: 204 elizabeth street ll (btw prince/spring st)
• fyi - cash only

handmade block party

love

one of the best things about etsy is how it has made art more accessible. caren loebel-fried, the big island artist who creates some of the most spectacular lino block prints (and who happens to be one of my favorite island artists), has joined the etsy ranks to showcase her beautiful interpretations of hawaiian legends and culture.

my fella and i both agree that the storyteller deserves a spot in our living room's little gallery of block prints. and for those romantic souls who keep the lost art of written correspondence alive, i must insist you take a peek at caren's lovely notecard sets.

the storyteller

the romance of lauka'ie'ie

artwork is archival quality and has been individually printed by hand on handmade paper from japan. both color and b&w prints are available and prices are quite reasonable ($15-$260).

when on the big island, you can admire (and purchase) caren's work at the volcano art center. you can learn more about about the artist and how her journey to this age old art form came to be on her website.

fyi - nyc readers who wish to learn the art of block printing can attend a one day workshop with caren & her mom scheduled to take place on oct 27th. more details can be found here.