Mapuana - Color in Motion

Years ago I stumbled upon the most beautiful watercolor paintings by local Hawaiian artist, Mapuana Schneider, at Native Books and Beautiful Things. I bought a few reproductions for my New York boutique, Stacia New York, and have since moved them into my home because I love them so much. On my most recent visit to Hawaii, on my list of things to do and see, was to find more of her work and get some of those brilliant watercolors for my Santa Monica design studio. Mapuana's history is rather unique in that this renaissance woman discovered her talent as an artist rather late in life. She is an accomplished hula dancer and entertainer of the Islands, a hotelier for many years in Waikiki, an entrepreneur of Fine Wine Imports, and lastly her passion for hula has been translated into her brilliant watercolor paintings. I admire her fearless use of bold color, her fluidity of shape, and her simplistic yet beautiful interpretation of the female form. Her favorite subjects are landscapes and hula dancers, "I want you to hear the music," she says. And it's almost like you can hear the music or the sway of the hula dancer's hips in these paintings. Love, love, love her work and a huge inspiration for me as a designer, as I'm a big fan of color as you know. To view more of her vivid watercolors or to purchase some of her reprints, check out her web site, www.mapuanagallery.com.

Mapuana - Color in Motion

Years ago I stumbled upon the most beautiful watercolor paintings by local Hawaiian artist, Mapuana Schneider, at Native Books and Beautiful Things. I bought a few reproductions for my New York boutique, Stacia New York, and have since moved them into my home because I love them so much. On my most recent visit to Hawaii, on my list of things to do and see, was to find more of her work and get some of those brilliant watercolors for my Santa Monica design studio. Mapuana's history is rather unique in that this renaissance woman discovered her talent as an artist rather late in life. She is an accomplished hula dancer and entertainer of the Islands, a hotelier for many years in Waikiki, an entrepreneur of Fine Wine Imports, and lastly her passion for hula has been translated into her brilliant watercolor paintings. I admire her fearless use of bold color, her fluidity of shape, and her simplistic yet beautiful interpretation of the female form. Her favorite subjects are landscapes and hula dancers, "I want you to hear the music," she says. And it's almost like you can hear the music or the sway of the hula dancer's hips in these paintings. Love, love, love her work and a huge inspiration for me as a designer, as I'm a big fan of color as you know. To view more of her vivid watercolors or to purchase some of her reprints, check out her web site, www.mapuanagallery.com.

Field Trip - The Bishop Museum

It's been about 30 years that I've been either living or visiting Hawaii and I've never been to the Bishop Museum. It's the island's most famous and grandest of natural history museums, with archives dating back to the 1800's, the largest selection of Polynesian artifacts, and the most comprehensive collection of Hawaiiana. I can't believe my Brownies troop never took me here when I was 10! Finally as an adult, I checked it out one rainy afternoon with my kids and was pleasantly surprised by the beauty of the campus alone. First stop, the planetarium for a look at the stars. Next stop, the Polynesian Hall with it's grand arches and glass cases of Polynesian artifacts - clothing, accessories, weapons, and tools - cool stuff I must say. I don't even remember New York's Natural History Museum having this good of a selection from the Pacific Islands. The Kahili Room displayed the large kahili feathered standards used by the Ali'i or royalty of the Islands. Amongst them, of course, was the last crowned princess, Princess Ka'iulani, my daughter's namesake. My favorite inspiration came from the intricate textiles created by the Polynesians, made by beating bark cloth with engraved wooden batons to create an allover embossed pattern on the fabric (see picture above of some of these beautiful patterns.) I wish I could have this archive collection of print repeats for my design library! Talk about innovative textile design! The newest addition, the Science Adventure Center, was a favorite for my son, with it's educational volcano and wave exhibits. Lastly, I highly recommend the gift shop. Lots of great Hawaiiana books, replicas of archive photos, textiles, and my favorite batik-printed and hand-dyed sling bags made in Maui. I'm sure this little side trip to The Bishop Museum will make its way into my designs someday, with enough inspiration for several collections I'm sure.

Field Trip - The Bishop Museum

It's been about 30 years that I've been either living or visiting Hawaii and I've never been to the Bishop Museum. It's the island's most famous and grandest of natural history museums, with archives dating back to the 1800's, the largest selection of Polynesian artifacts, and the most comprehensive collection of Hawaiiana. I can't believe my Brownies troop never took me here when I was 10! Finally as an adult, I checked it out one rainy afternoon with my kids and was pleasantly surprised by the beauty of the campus alone. First stop, the planetarium for a look at the stars. Next stop, the Polynesian Hall with it's grand arches and glass cases of Polynesian artifacts - clothing, accessories, weapons, and tools - cool stuff I must say. I don't even remember New York's Natural History Museum having this good of a selection from the Pacific Islands. The Kahili Room displayed the large kahili feathered standards used by the Ali'i or royalty of the Islands. Amongst them, of course, was the last crowned princess, Princess Ka'iulani, my daughter's namesake. My favorite inspiration came from the intricate textiles created by the Polynesians, made by beating bark cloth with engraved wooden batons to create an allover embossed pattern on the fabric (see picture above of some of these beautiful patterns.) I wish I could have this archive collection of print repeats for my design library! Talk about innovative textile design! The newest addition, the Science Adventure Center, was a favorite for my son, with it's educational volcano and wave exhibits. Lastly, I highly recommend the gift shop. Lots of great Hawaiiana books, replicas of archive photos, textiles, and my favorite batik-printed and hand-dyed sling bags made in Maui. I'm sure this little side trip to The Bishop Museum will make its way into my designs someday, with enough inspiration for several collections I'm sure.

Road Trip - Honolulu, Hawaii

I've been an absent blogger I know, but for a good reason...I took a long needed vacation back home to Hawaii and vowed not to bring my computer (although my new iPhone toy doesn't count!!) Boy, did I ever need a vacation. I love going back home because it's so effortless to relax and fun to visit my local haunts.

I always have my usual stops to make - drive up to Haleiwa to check out the Northshore Swimwear shop (bought a fabulous animal print bikini), Bali Moon (great Balinese finds such as easy tie dye tunics or cotton crochet hippie tops), Strong Current (by far the best place to pick up surf-inspired hoodies and tees), and of course the faithful Matsumoto's shave ice stop.

Another ritual is to check out the local retail (Stacia has yet to break into the Hawaii market). There's actually not much to report from the Hawaii retail scene. Their market pretty much caters to the foreign buyer (hence all the free-standing designer stores like Gucci, Prada, and even Coach (US buyer's beware...most items are marked up a good $100 from the mainland and web, so hold off if you can.) And there's not much to choose from in local "multi-designer" boutiques either. In Kahala, you have Shasa Emporium, who's store identity keeps changing (used to carry a lot of "junior" items, but now hosts a lot of great contemporary lines) and Ohelo Road, a store that also has a slight identity crisis (not sure if they want to cater to the designer t-shirt and jeans crowd- official home of the Michael Stars' line- or the bohemian 40-something eclectic.) I did discover a new shop that opened up at the fairly new Waikiki Beachwalk complex, called Bernards of Hawaii. For once I came upon a shop with some clear style, with it's mix of ultra-hip LA based designer tees, jeans, and hoodies, plus a vast array of cool beauty products- a real two-fer. Not sure what kind of traffic they'll get at the 2nd floor level, but it was refreshing to see some LA vibe on the islands.

I personally tend to explore the non-traditional avenues for shopping. I always make a stop at Native Books and Beautiful Things shop in Ward Warehouse to check out local artists, island-inspired books, and off-beat island-themed apparel and accessories. I've been hording these great batik printed and hand-dyed sack bags from Maui (got four now!). Their slight hippie vibe makes it great for slinging diagonally over your body for those trips to the farmer's market or spontaneous beach days (holds a lot, even a wet suit and towel!). And this is where I also have snagged some work by my favorite female artist, Mapuana. Her watercolor paintings of hula dancers and her rich vibrant colors are so inspiring that I just can't get enough (more to follow on Mapuana...)

But besides relaxing, shopping, and trekking to my favorite spots, the main reason for the trip was to celebrate my daughter's one year birthday and to have her christened "Hawaiian style" by our favorite Kahu (Hawaiian priest), Kahu Silva. On the rocky sands of Sandy Beach (a childhood favorite beach near home), and under the hovering rain clouds and sparkling sun, we had a traditional Hawaiian blessing or Ho'ola'a for Kaiulani Rose. She looked beautiful in a vintage Stacia baby dress (circa 2003) that matched my own cotton voile "tide pool" print dress (also an old Stacia New York design.) The only other topper to the trip was long boarding at Canoes in Waikiki- my favorite long boarding beach where there's nothing more satisfying than feeling like Duke Kahanamoku while leisurly riding a wave for a good minute or two- whoohoo!

Road Trip - Honolulu, Hawaii

I've been an absent blogger I know, but for a good reason...I took a long needed vacation back home to Hawaii and vowed not to bring my computer (although my new iPhone toy doesn't count!!) Boy, did I ever need a vacation. I love going back home because it's so effortless to relax and fun to visit my local haunts.

I always have my usual stops to make - drive up to Haleiwa to check out the Northshore Swimwear shop (bought a fabulous animal print bikini), Bali Moon (great Balinese finds such as easy tie dye tunics or cotton crochet hippie tops), Strong Current (by far the best place to pick up surf-inspired hoodies and tees), and of course the faithful Matsumoto's shave ice stop.

Another ritual is to check out the local retail (Stacia has yet to break into the Hawaii market). There's actually not much to report from the Hawaii retail scene. Their market pretty much caters to the foreign buyer (hence all the free-standing designer stores like Gucci, Prada, and even Coach (US buyer's beware...most items are marked up a good $100 from the mainland and web, so hold off if you can.) And there's not much to choose from in local "multi-designer" boutiques either. In Kahala, you have Shasa Emporium, who's store identity keeps changing (used to carry a lot of "junior" items, but now hosts a lot of great contemporary lines) and Ohelo Road, a store that also has a slight identity crisis (not sure if they want to cater to the designer t-shirt and jeans crowd- official home of the Michael Stars' line- or the bohemian 40-something eclectic.) I did discover a new shop that opened up at the fairly new Waikiki Beachwalk complex, called Bernards of Hawaii. For once I came upon a shop with some clear style, with it's mix of ultra-hip LA based designer tees, jeans, and hoodies, plus a vast array of cool beauty products- a real two-fer. Not sure what kind of traffic they'll get at the 2nd floor level, but it was refreshing to see some LA vibe on the islands.

I personally tend to explore the non-traditional avenues for shopping. I always make a stop at Native Books and Beautiful Things shop in Ward Warehouse to check out local artists, island-inspired books, and off-beat island-themed apparel and accessories. I've been hording these great batik printed and hand-dyed sack bags from Maui (got four now!). Their slight hippie vibe makes it great for slinging diagonally over your body for those trips to the farmer's market or spontaneous beach days (holds a lot, even a wet suit and towel!). And this is where I also have snagged some work by my favorite female artist, Mapuana. Her watercolor paintings of hula dancers and her rich vibrant colors are so inspiring that I just can't get enough (more to follow on Mapuana...)

But besides relaxing, shopping, and trekking to my favorite spots, the main reason for the trip was to celebrate my daughter's one year birthday and to have her christened "Hawaiian style" by our favorite Kahu (Hawaiian priest), Kahu Silva. On the rocky sands of Sandy Beach (a childhood favorite beach near home), and under the hovering rain clouds and sparkling sun, we had a traditional Hawaiian blessing or Ho'ola'a for Kaiulani Rose. She looked beautiful in a vintage Stacia baby dress (circa 2003) that matched my own cotton voile "tide pool" print dress (also an old Stacia New York design.) The only other topper to the trip was long boarding at Canoes in Waikiki- my favorite long boarding beach where there's nothing more satisfying than feeling like Duke Kahanamoku while leisurly riding a wave for a good minute or two- whoohoo!

Stacia on Cover of Health Magazine

Yippee! Our first cover! Check out Health Magazine's November issue and see our Stacia Bungalow hoodie gracing the cover. The model looks fabulous with her turquoise blue eyes, dark hair, and our Surf hoodie. The bad news is we're already sold out of this aqua color, but the good news is we have this ribbed hoodie available in other beachy colors and it's on sale! And to top it off, we're currently running a Free Shipping promo for a limited time. So check out the cover and grab one of these yummy hoodies for yourself before they sell out completely!