With summer in full swing,
188 Galerie showcases yet another
Vintage Black Label classic - the
Aloha or Hawaiian Shirt.
As waves of heat rise from New York City's urban jungle - conjuring visions of verdant tropical forests - we dream of cascading waterfalls, pristine white sand, and cooling fronds of paradise.
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| Luau Spread at 188 Galerie NYC |
All is not lost if you find yourself city bound instead of off on an island paradise this summer!
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| Aloha Shirts at 188 Galerie NYC |
In June we blogged about the
VBL: bomber jacket, another WW II souvenir of our troops. After World War II, many US military returned from Asia and the Pacific islands with
aloha shirts made in
Hawaii since the 1930s.
The
Aloha shirt, commonly referred to as a
Hawaiian
shirt, is a style of dress shirt originating in
Hawaii.
Aloha shirts manufactured for the local weather are considered formal wear in
business and government, weddings and birthday parties, dinners and other Hawaiian occasions.
“About 35 years ago an astute Hawaiian garment manufacturer (who shall
remain nameless to avoid renewing a 35 year old argument) designed the first
aloha shirt, launching what was to become the golden age for Aloha shirts." ~ Hope
Dennis, journalist and textile designer
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| Elvis Presley, Blue Hawaii album cover |
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1951 Jantzen Cabana Mates Clothing Ad
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Nothing says
summer like a Hawaiian shirt. While it has had its ups and downs since the 1930s,
it is back in style just in time to keep you nice and cool all summer long. Designers
are reintroducing Hawaiian-inspired shirts this season, offering a fresh take
on this fashion classic.
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| from GQ. . . . |
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| . . . .to Goodwill |
Today this iconic shirt was made a trendy and must-have wardrobe item once again at the latest
Fashion Week in Milan, Italy.
Shirts from
the 1950s and 1960s by makers such as
Reyn Spooner, Paradise Island and
Kai Nani
have in the past few years become collectible.
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| Leo de Caprio in Baz Lurman's Romeo & Juliet |
Many of the current options do not command the high
prices of the original shirts designed by
famous artists who were commissioned then to design fabric, murals, and menus used on cruises, flights, luggage, surf and skate boards, and countless everyday items of the period.
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| Al Pacino , "Casino" |
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| Freddie Mercury, "Props" |
Some later shirts show themes inspired by popular
symbols of the late 1960s hippie period. Today, a limited number of select
companies in Hawaii and Japan are currently offering new rayon shirts in the
“golden age” patterns at a cost of upwards of $200 per shirt. [
Gary Moss,
Hippie Artifacts author]
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| more of what's available |
One binding rule - should you decide to purchase and wear a Hawaiian shirt - they are never tucked into your pants or skirts.
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| Our gang celebrating in Thailand, April 2016 |
“
The 'Aloha Spirit' is about living every day with love, grace and
compassion for others. The Aloha Shirt can be a symbol of that spirit.” ~
GerryLopez, Hawaiian surfer and international icon
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| Another scene from Romeo & Juliet |
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| Virgin America Hawaiian event |
Read more fun facts about Vintage Hawaiian Shirts here:
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