introducing posh pua

floral bikini + monokini

posh pua, the new handmade clothing line created by maui designer julie stone, is further evidence that the islands' emerging style scene is inspiring more kama'ainas to take the plunge into fashion design. upon moving to maui a few years ago, julie took notice of the success of homegrown labels tamara catz and letarte which eventually prompted the kailua-raised designer to turn her sewing hobby into an indie biz.

this past spring, posh pua quietly launched its debut collection which features a handful of patterns designed for flirty days on the sand and simple coverups that easily transition from the beach to the streets. what sets posh pua apart is julie's commitment to creating a sustainable swimwear/resort line by incorporating eco-friendly fibers like bamboo and organic cotton plus the occasional vintage textile appearance.

plaid bikini

a gathering dress * pua o papaete romper * beach bloomers

all designs are made to order in julie's upcountry studio and custom requests are also welcome should you require a little assistance to find the perfect fit.

preview the collection on the official website and then click over to the etsy shop to scoop up the latest offerings.

you can also find posh pua at beauty & the beach's online emporium and sassy 2nds, a new to you consignment boutique that julie and her sister-in-law recently opened in paia.

wings hawaii spring fling

a quick click over to wings hawaii revealed a number of new jewelry designs have arrived in the online shop. the talented wings team has been playing with puka shells turning the seaside findings into glamorous puka diamond rings, bezel set pendants, and double puka ti leaf bangles with a lovely organic shape that results when gold filled wire is wrapped around a ti leaf stalk and hand hammered to coax out its curves.

be sure to take a peek at the fabulous spinning ring design which adds a playful twist to rocking multiple bands on your digit(s).

alas, not much new to report in the wardrobe department, however a handful of hand screened styles, like the sweet angel wings hoodie (made with a blend of organic cotton and recycled poly), are marked down 25% off.

three ways to shop: online / stockists / showroom:

• where: 375 west kuiaha road, haiku
• shop hours: mon to fri, 9a to 4p & sat/sun, 9a to 1p

{update | feb 2011: wings moved its flagship shop to lovely little paia town last year and can now be found at 71 baldwin avenue}

shop letarte opening

the once sleepy beach town of paia has been abuzz with the opening of letarte's flagship boutique earlier this week. the letarte 'ohana (lisa designs the luxe swimwear line while sister michele handles all the behind-the-scenes business) designed the shop with an eye on sustainability including eco-friendly paint and lighting while offering packaging made from post-consumer recycled materials to tote your purchases home.

ana from letarte was kind enough to send along peeks from the 2009 collection which is already on the rack in the new shop. does anyone else think letarte's modern take of gorgeous island inspired patterns would be equally lovely at home?

peacock bikini

kenneth jay lane for letarte

handblock fish print one-piece

maya tunic

letarte surfboard

lisa & michele

the paia shop also stocks keiki line petite letarte, alora ambiance home fragrance, claus porto soaps, golden child jewelry, in2 design lariats, t-luxury & more.

• where: 24 baldwin avenue, paia
• fyi: 10% of purchases during opening week will be donated to surfrider's maui chapter.

p.s. off-island fans can scoop up select styles from the 09 collection in the newly relaunched online shop.

maui girl beach peeks

maui beach sheets

maui girl & co. recently opened up an online storefront stocked with the same exclusive swimwear styles that have made the pa'ia shop a favorite of locals and visiting celebrities (gwen stefani is said to be a fan).

it's also the only place online to find the fabulous maui beach sheets, a super size cotton cloth rocking a bold polynesian print in a mix of cheery colorways. two sizes are available - the original is a pretty and packable alternative to the bulky beach towel (and at 60x90 it's just asking for a crafty transformation) while the sarong size is a sweet beach coverup.

twist + leaf tribal

beaded chevron stripe tote

the online shop is stocked with an array of swimwear from mix & match separates to maui girl's boutique line of handmade swimsuits. you can also make like a supermodel and sashay along the sandy shoreline in the very provocative beach glam bikinis custom made for the pages of the sports illustrated

swimsuit issue.

• where: 12 baldwin avenue, paia
• shop hours: 9a to 6p everyday

{update | 2012: if you are looking to purchase maui beach sheets, please click over to tiare style to contact the designer directly.}

tamara catz sample sale

fans of tamara catz's romantic bohemian style will want to drop into the maui designer's paia showroom tomorrow for a one day summer sample sale. if you can't make it, click over to the new online shop which is stocked with selections from the spring and resort 08 collections as well as new styles from the popular bridal line.

• when: fri, may 30th - 9a to 6p
• where: 83 hana hwy, paia

embroidered mini * knit jacket

cherry blossoms & butterflies

also, kristel from the shop (better known to readers as the designer behind rockabella jewels and co-creator of tc's in-house bridal jewelry line) recently sent along word that the in store 10% kama'aina discount is now accepted online so long as the order is being shipped to a valid hawaii address.

• secret code: hawaii
• expires: n/a
• fyi: not applicable on sale items