the machine stops here

custom denim button belt

machine machine is yet another fresh etsy find - this time from the island of kauai. the relatively new clothing line from indie designer shannon hiramoto made its debut earlier this year and is filled with a mix of deconstructed pieces ranging from strapless minis to personalized belts sure to be adored by anyone with an independent streak.

and, may i say, it's hard resist the creations of an island girl who shares intriguing philosophical musings like the following:

"machine machine is simple clothing for complicated times. i am akin to the idea of making/wearing one of a kind things as a method for liberating oneself from the machineries which often dominate independent thought."

mini dress

pupule clutch

even if your mini days are but a faint memory, machine machine's abbreviated dresses pair nicely with your favorite jeans. don't forget to take a peek in the aptly described pouchey department to add a little deconstructed love to your accessory closet.

get inside the mind of mm's creator via her blog and stop by the etsy shop to take stock of the current collection (or to contact shannon about custom work).

spring blossoms at manuheali'i

ka'ili li'i + monstera kaimana

there are so many new styles for spring at manuheali'i that a mini virtual fashion show seems to be in order. the lovely ka'ili li'i dress defines versatility with its ability to convert to three different bodice styles, a length which allows it to double as a tunic, and hidden handy dandy pockets.

and it's hard to resist the fresh spring colors on the updated monstera kaimana dress which is too pretty for words.

the first thing that came to mind upon spotting the kat top was, of course, fellow island blogger kat of our adventures in japan. unless design is your trade, it's not often you have a chance to fill your closet with your very own eponymous top which can also be had in a fabulous mix of manuheali'i patterns.

kukui li'i + kukui nui kat

meleana bag

my bet is owners of manuheali'i's new meleana bag (not sure if there is a connection to handbag designer meleana blaich) will get stopped on the street by passersby who cannot help but notice its eye catching graphics. sturdy canvas fabric is emblazoned with traditional hawaiian designs like 'ulu and 'awapuhi while raffia details echo the natural world.

shop manuheali'i online or stop by their boutiques in kailua and punahou to take a peek at the full collection.

kealopiko

moi tee

good island design combined with the socially conscious choice to use sweatshop-free, made in the usa tees will always get my attention. add the kokua factor (i.e. contributing a bit of profit to community organizations) and you know why i have been keeping tabs on kealopiko over the past few months while patiently waiting for their online shop to open its virtual doors.

and although the shop is not yet open for business, a few photos of the line's native flora & fauna inspired tees have finally been posted to give those of us away from the islands a sneak peek of what to expect.

the talented minds behind kealopiko are a team of wahine who have a deep connection to the 'aina via their work as botanists (ane & hina) and preserving the he'eia fishpond (jamie). tees from kealopiko are a wonderful way to remain true to your island roots without sacrificing style and since each design is hand screened you know a little mana of the maker will always be with you.

kealopiko will be at the merrie monarch festival arts & crafts fair this week, the kokua festival next weekend, mamo (maoli arts month) in may, and you can always find them at first fridays in chinatown. check out their event calendar for more info.

indah clothing

saffron + sexy essie

a lovely dress from indah clothing is just the thing to put on when you want to feel pretty on a hot and humid hawaiian day. over ten years ago, designer libby de santis was an island girl on the go who noticed that there was a void in the marketplace for stylish, unfussy threads for girls like her who loved their laidback lifestyle but were bored with the ubiquitous tee and shorts combo.

enter indah with its dishy dresses, sultry swimsuits, and versatile separates. eventually another island beckoned libby away from her home on kauai and bali is now hq for indah's design house. that part of the world's tropical asian influence can be spotted in the line's cosmopolitan silhouettes, exotic embellishments and breezy fabrics like linen from hong kong and cotton sari from india.

if you love what you see, online shopping can be done at lalala, lily grace (which stocks the little indah keiki collection) or click here to find a stockist in your neighborhood.

maui maidens

wrap dress + skull burnout tee

the girls at wings have discovered a few fresh blank canvases to tag with their whimsical island inspired designs. designer samantha howard has also put her silversmithing skills to good use with her line of handcrafted jewelry featuring treasures from the sea mingled with mystical iridescent gems like chalcedony and moonstones.

sunwing ring + sterling five ring necklace

click here for an updated list of island & mainland stockists.