Sun Surf Special Edition 'Sankin Kotai'

Title: “SANKIN KOTAI”
Vintage: BETTY HIGGINS
Era: Early 1950s
Material: Rayon Habutai
Print: Overprint
Design Pattern: Oriental Design

Betty Higgins was a unique brand known for crafting jackets from luxurious brocade fabric adorned with colorful threads and dresses made from printed kimono fabric. Starting as a custom dress shop after World War II, it established a shop in the historic Royal Hawaiian Hotel, commonly referred to as the Pink Palace, and gained many customers on the U.S. mainland. Due to low production numbers of men's shirts, existing vintage pieces from this brand are scarce, with most confirmed items featuring Oriental designs. This piece depicts the practice of Sankin-kotai, mandated by the Edo shogunate, illustrating the rare and intricate procession of feudal lords moving in formation toward Edo. Amidst the Oriental boom that started in Hawaii and spread to the U.S. mainland, many designs inspired by Old Japan were created during this time.

SUN SURF SPECIAL EDITION

Representing the paradise of Hawaii, the Aloha shirt has deep roots with Japanese immigrants, featuring not only tropical but also traditional Japanese patterns as vintage pieces. By the mid-20th century, as Hawaii established itself as a tourist destination, the demand for Aloha shirts as souvenirs surged, leading to diverse designs and patterns. This special piece is rarely found during the process of collecting vintage Aloha shirts. Paying homage to textile designers who created these masterpieces that are gradually fading with time, it perfectly replicates the luxurious prints, striking designs, and intricate details that vary by manufacturer and era. This is the essence of SUN SURF's special edition.