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The Aloha Shirt

Spirit of the Islands
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Aloha Shirt by Dale Hope offers the most comprehensive exploration of the iconic Hawaiian shirt, tracing its origins from a single sewing machine shop to a global fashion phenomenon. Illustrated with hundreds of vibrant images, the book delves into the stories of designers, manufacturers, and retailers who shaped this cultural icon synonymous with the relaxed, fun-loving spirit of the islands. It presents a vivid portrait of the aloha shirt as both a cherished souvenir and a symbol of Hawaii’s enduring allure, celebrating its rise in popular culture and fashion revivals.
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Format: Hardback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book is perfect for arts and culture aficionados, fashion historians, collectors of vintage clothing, and admirers of Hawaiian culture seeking a visually rich and informative read about an enduring island symbol.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

The most colourful and complete book published on the most enduring souvenir ever invented: the Hawaiian shirt.

Beautifully illustrated with hundreds of images, this book recounts the colourful stories behind these marvellous shirts: as cultural icons, evocative of the mystery and the allure of the islands, capturing the vibe of the watermen culture and lifestyleβ€”casual, relaxed, and fun. Valued by professional collectors and by millions of vacationers and fashionistos, these shirts are enjoying a fashion revival.

Drawing from hundreds of interviews, newspaper and magazine archives, and personal memorabilia, the author evokes the world of the designers, seamstresses, manufacturers, and retailers who created the industry and nurtured it from its single-sewing-machine-shop beginnings to an enterprise of international scope and importance and its revival today.

The Aloha Shirt is both a dazzling, fun-to-browse art book, and a fascinating chronicle of the world's love affair with Hawaii.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

The New York Times praises the book as a "lovely $60 hardcover" that captures the aloha shirt as a "bright badge of good fortune." Reviews highlight its blend of fashion history and cultural insight, noting the detailed examination of the industry's development and the lavish illustrations. The book appeals not only to collectors but also to those interested in Hawaiian tourism and culture, fashion enthusiasts, and anyone drawn to colourful, engaging storytelling.

Book Hero reading reviews

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781938340567

Publisher: Patagonia Books

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 28 July 2016

Country: United States

Imprint: Patagonia Books

Edition: Second Edition

Illustration: Color photos throughout

Contributors:

  • Introduction by Gerry Lopez
  • Contributions by Greg Tozian
  • Contributions by Yvon Chouinard

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 190.0mm

Height: 279.0mm

Weight: 1573g

Pages: 384

About the Author

Dale Hope has spent his life in the garment industry in Hawaii. He inherited his parents' clothing business, then bought and served as creative director of the legendary Kahala label. He has also worked with Patagonia on the Pataloha label. Dale is an avid waterman and lives in Haleiwa, HI. Gerry Lopez, author of Surf Is Where You Find It made his reputation at Pipeline, then went on to a lifelong career in surfing, snowboarding, and stand-up-paddle. He co-founded Lightning Bolt(R) Maui surfboards, was instrumental in developing the high-performance shortboard, and has appeared in many films. He lives in Bend, OR. Greg Tozian is a writer (author, journalist, playwright), artist (comics), photographer, filmmaker & musician. He lives in Portland, OR. Yvon Chouinardis the founder and owner of Patagonia, Inc., and author of Let My People Go Surfing, The Responsible Company, and Simple Fly Fishing. He lives in Ventura, CA.

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