Keoni of Hawaii Waikiki Sand by John Meigs

Product Name: "WAIKIKI SAND"
Author: JOHN MEIGS
Material: Rayon Fujiette
Print: Discharge Print
Design Pattern: All-Over Pattern
Buttons: Coconut Buttons

John Meigs, born in Chicago, Illinois, learned sculpting and figure drawing at the Chicago Art Institute and studied journalism at Redlands University and UCLA. After working as a reporter, he moved to Hawaii in 1938 and began designing textiles around 1940 while working in the art department of the Honolulu Advertiser.

Meigs' innovative designs quickly caught the attention of Hawaiian Aloha shirt makers, leading to numerous design requests. During World War II, he enlisted in the Navy and visited Tahiti, which inspired him with Polynesian culture. After his military service in 1947, he returned to Hawaii, preparing to make a living through textile design while working in public relations. His return to the design world garnered significant attention, receiving orders from major fabric suppliers, including mainland American companies like Corn-Hole Marks and Tumblro Fabrics, as well as holding solo exhibitions at the Honolulu Academy of Arts.

In the 1950s, Meigs became a central figure among textile designers in Hawaii and is remembered as a master who helped shape the history of Aloha shirts. His works are highly sought after in the modern vintage market and often command high prices. The reproduced "WAIKIKI SAND" humorously portrays activities on Waikiki Beach and is confirmed to have been produced by over eight brands at that time, making it extremely popular with multiple color variations.

KEONI OF HAWAII

In 1996, we learned that the legendary textile designer John Meigs, who has left a mark on the history of Hawaiian fashion, was still alive. He had unpublished works from the 1940s, and based on those original designs, the mythical collection was produced by Sun Surf under the name "KEONI OF HAWAII." John Meigs also resumed Aloha shirt design to support the brand. However, due to aging, the burden became increasingly heavy, and starting in 2001, artists who resonated with his vision began to take over the designs. We pay tribute to the history of Aloha shirts as art built by John Meigs and release Aloha shirts that reflect contemporary artists' artistry as "works."

This product comes in a special box from KEONI OF HAWAII.

There may be differences in the pattern placement from the photos due to fabric cutting positions. Due to the nature of the material and finishing methods, there may be slight variations in dimensions. Additionally, the colors of the product may differ slightly from the actual colors due to your device settings and environment. Please understand this in advance.