Hawaiian Textiles

Alfred Shaheen and Robert Sato were the most creative and prolific Hawaiian textile designers and producers in the 20th century. Shaheen, born in 1922 in New Jersey, moved with his parents to Oahu in the late 30's. After the war he began working in the family business. In 1948 he launched his own company making Aloha Wear with textiles imported from the mainland. But very soon he started printing, dying and finishing his own fabric. By 1952 he was printing more than 60,000 yards of fabric per month under the name Surf'n Sand Hand Prints.

shaheen Tradewind 02

Tradewind 02 - Early 1950's Cotton Dress with Ribbon Belt

Tahitian Girl  by Albert Shaheen

Tahitian Girl - Early 1950's Cotton Dress

Octopus - Early 1950's Cotton Two Piece Bathing suit

Octopus - Early 1950's Cotton Two Piece Bathing Suit

Lace Fans  by Shaheen

Lace Fans - Mid 1960's Triacetate & Cotton Blend Dress

Hawaiian Fabrics

vintage hawaian fabric