One thing I know I'll be keeping a keen eye out for is some killer vintage Hawaiian shirts and dresses! You might not have heard of Alfred Saheen before, but you certainly know his work; he's the inventor of the infamous floral shirts!
Alfred Shaheen was the most creative and prolific Hawaiian manufacturer in the heyday of post-WWII fashion. He pioneered Hawaii's vital garment manufacturing industry by stretching beyond the limits imposed by the isolation of the Hawaiian Islands.
During pre-statehood Hawaii, a critical time in Hawaii's economic development, Shaheen built the most comprehensive textile printing, garment manufacturing, and retail company Hawaii would ever see. Shaheen accomplished this feat through his vision, inventiveness, engineering brilliance, and unreserved commitment to authenticity and excellence.
During pre-statehood Hawaii, a critical time in Hawaii's economic development, Shaheen built the most comprehensive textile printing, garment manufacturing, and retail company Hawaii would ever see. Shaheen accomplished this feat through his vision, inventiveness, engineering brilliance, and unreserved commitment to authenticity and excellence.
Like other Hawaiian manufacturers of his day, Shaheen's 'aloha wear' was originally made with textiles imported from the mainland. However, using these imported textiles had serious drawbacks and Shaheen soon realized that if he wanted to survive, he must find a way to create his own fabrics.
Shaheen set up Surf 'n Sand Hand Prints, his first print plant and began scouring Honolulu's junkyards for parts to use in building his equipment. With two inexperienced local workers, Shaheen began building his machinery.
By 1950, Shaheen had engineered and built his own machinery to print, dye, and finish his fabrics. By 1952, Shaheen was printing more than 60,000 yards of fabric per month and in 1956, Shaheen built an $8,000,000 factory, showroom, and office complex. By 1959 he had employed 400 people, sold garments worldwide, owned his own chain of retail stores in Hawaii, and grossed more than $4,000,000 annually. . . that's a lot of shirts!
Shaheen set up Surf 'n Sand Hand Prints, his first print plant and began scouring Honolulu's junkyards for parts to use in building his equipment. With two inexperienced local workers, Shaheen began building his machinery.
By 1950, Shaheen had engineered and built his own machinery to print, dye, and finish his fabrics. By 1952, Shaheen was printing more than 60,000 yards of fabric per month and in 1956, Shaheen built an $8,000,000 factory, showroom, and office complex. By 1959 he had employed 400 people, sold garments worldwide, owned his own chain of retail stores in Hawaii, and grossed more than $4,000,000 annually. . . that's a lot of shirts!
Alfred Shaheen's textile designs and fabrics were inspired by Hawaii, the South Pacific, and Asia. He studied the native designs of these countries and adapted them to textiles, producing such classics as the Pua Lani Pareau, Antique Tapa, and Joss Sticks hand prints. His philosophy was to celebrate Hawaii's ethnic diversity and remain true to authentic cultural art forms.
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