Reversible is here - 2 in 1!!

We are so excited to reveal our REVERSIBLE and SEAMLESS 'Kinis! Yes, you heard me correctly - we're bringing all the best of the bikini world into one amazing suit. Combine our super high quality with seamless design and we are confident we've made the BEST bikinis in the world! (Now's no time for modesty - we're really excited!) Ok, we admit it, we're a little late to the seamless/reversible party, but let us explain... we have been working for months to ensure our seamless 'Kinis are the best out there and live up to our high-quality standards.

I've had the pleasure of trying out a couple of our new seamless designs over the past few weeks! They've been hiking, surfing, SUPing & kayaking all over this little island and WOW! Our new seamless design is so incredibly comfortable and I'm also excited to have a bottom without scrunch (I like to mix it up every now and then)! This little 'Kini that could stayed on playing in one of the heaviest breaks on the Westside of Kauai.

I also have been surfing in a new style that will make its debut next month sometime. It is a 3-String Okole style offering a little more coverage than some of our other 'Kinis and a slightly higher waist as well (thanks for the inspiration Marina)! Seamless comfort with sexy cutouts on the side and our signature scrunch back is the perfect mix of style and function. I can't say enough about this suit for my active and adventurous friends. This suit DOES NOT BUDGE in the waves. Almost every suit needs a little adjusting now and then, but not this one - I'm in love!

Our first Reversible design will be available for pre-order later this week in our ALOHA print (shown below)! It reverses to one of our favorites - Seafoam - and there will be a matching reversible top. This print reminds us of a tropical vacation and is perfect for summer. Did I mention its reversible? That's like two suits for the price of one!

What better way to introduce our new reversible and seamless designs than to say A - L - O - H - A!

Lay Off Me - I'm Starving!

Ahhh... Spring Break - season of the beautiful body and frolicking on the beach! Why is it we can only think about FOOD here at the studio?! Probably because we live on an island only 25 miles wide (and severely starved for some new restaurants that aren't Mexican) but it's hard to complain when the place we call home is what dreams are made of:

I recently plotted out what our conversations consist of while we're busy sewing away 'Kinis...

Our shared obsession with food resulted in this amazing breakfast this morning! Happy Aloha Friday Bikini Addicts! xoxo!

The Hottest Indoor BASE Competition

Professional BASE jumper Clair Marie, breaking world records in her KaiKini! 

{Get the exclusive BASEgirl KaiKini here} 

Flattery or Foe?

Aloha 2014! 

Working in the bikini world is amazing in so many ways. With our Kinis being made by hand right in the studio, we have the rare opportunity to test out new ideas on the fly. With bikini styles constantly evolving and our ever growing desire to stand out among the crowd, we find ourselves inspired to create new designs quite often. On this particular Thursday, I watched from my desk as Becky and Taryn brainstormed to bring a new seamless design to life. Although I can't sew (but wish I did!) the girls asked for my feedback throughout the process and after an hour or two of trial and error we had a prototype! Our first reversible design was born.

It’s always challenging and exciting to bring new, unique designs to the bikini world. Over the past few years, we’ve found companies creating designs similar to ours or using our images without permission or giving us credit - it’s an inevitable part of the business…but it isn't always deliberate. Soon after releasing a pic of our new prototype, we were notified by another bikini company that we were close to infringing on their pending patent. 

"Oh no! Is our new design not original?!" We investigated further and were relieved to find out that their design was actually quite different from ours. "Phew!"

Situations like these can be frustrating, but we also find ourselves unexpectedly flattered. Flattered that another company considered us competition enough to reach out and warn us against making something similar; flattered someone wanted to use our designs or images to represent themselves or their business; but above all, it keeps us relentless in our pursuit of the perfect Kini! That’s why we’re constantly improving our designs and creating new styles as bright and adventurous as our wonderful fans!

We’ve got some exciting designs and announcements coming for 2014 and can’t wait to share them with you!

Xoxo!

Andrea

Bikinis and Beyond

               It's been a little while since I've posted because I've been so busy!! Lot's of things are going on: the photo gallery event went super good. It was the busiest art walk Java Kai ever had! My friends really helped out on that one...two of them fire danced and the other came to DJ.  (see video) Entertainment is always a big plus.
             Since then, I've hired two people to help me sew. I am now making more bikinis than ever. I had my first order from a buyer in Japan as well. She ordered a big sample order to pitch to the stores over there and if all goes well, she'll be ordering  atleast 100 pieces a week!!!! Which is great of course- it would mean my production would need to go up, but it would actually be a really big deal to have my line in Asia. That means I'll be producing for 8 stores on Kauai, 1 on Maui, 3 websites and the buyer in Asia. It's kind of funny to think that i'll be producing all this from my home...
             Another exciting KaiKini addition is the Keiki-kini line! Little tiny, itty-bitty bikinis for newborns all the way up to 6 yrs old. I cannot wait to start making these. Mom and daughter will be able to wear matching suits. How cute is that?!?
            So much is happening and I have so many opportunities coming my way. This business has opened me up in so many unexpected ways. I've become more social, I'm meeting new people all the time, making new friends, working really hard, exercising regularly, eating super healthy, doing more and more everyday. I feel like I have direction. A purpose. A fire has been lit inside me and everyday, thanks to the people and support around me, it seems to be burning brighter.

Sneak peek of java kai art show pics

       I cannot tell you how excited I am to have my photography up in a shop! This business has me doing so many different things that I didn't think of when I started. I've always had fun taking pictures, but this will be the first time my pics will be displayed in public. I enjoy the photo shoots almost as much as the bikini designing...such a pleasant surprise. There will be 11 photos total, and they are all being printed on canvas and enlarged. 


       The prints will go up in Java Kai in Kapaa on January 2nd and remain up for the month. The art walk will be on January 7th from 5 to 8pm. My girlfriend, Andrea is fire dancing, and my friend Zaq is going to DJ. The canvas prints will be for sale, but anything that is left over, i'll be more than happy to take home myself! We'll have hats, posters and calendars too. Would love for you to join us... 

I need a shot

      
      This was my first shoot with three girls and I kind of winged it...next time I'm going to have a plan of attack. As we drove closer and closer to the westside of Kauai, the sky got grayer and grayer- which, if you know Kauai at all, usually the further west you go the MORE sun there is! By the time we got to Polihale, it was totally overcast, it was chilly and the wind was blasting. Perfect for a bikini shoot right? We did have one thing going for us though: not a soul on the beach. 


       The girls arrived and I did everyone's make-up, got them accessorized and had them throw on bikinis. They were great- when we first got started, hair was flying everywhere, but we soon got the hang of it: always face the wind and try not to look cold! There would be little bursts of sun here and there and Tyler would be ready to grab any sunbeams he could with the reflector. Somehow, we got the shots. 


        Now here's the part where I wish I had a better plan of attack: it's really hard to get all three girls looking right at the same time. Sometimes two of them are looking great and one just isn't at the right angle or for whatever reason, isn't making the right face...or two are smiling and one isn't...or one is just rocking it and the other two just aren't at the moment. There were times when I wanted to tell one or two of the girls to step out of the shot for a moment, but didn't want there to be any hurt feelings, and tried to make the shot work anyway. A couple times, it did end up working out, but after going through nearly 700- yes, 700 shots- I need to learn how to get the shots I need sooner. Having modeled a little myself, I want to be careful about making the model think she was doing something wrong, or looked weird or something. I know I would have felt a tiny twang of "uh oh, was I making a funny face? What was she doing that I wasn't?" if I had been asked to step aside. Cuz let's face it, you have to be feeling good about yourself to be able to stand in front of a camera in an itty-bitty bikini...the last thing you need is someone telling you to get the hell out of the shot. No, no, no, we want the girls to feel very good about themselves so they feel comfortable and give us the shots we need! 


     Plan of attack for the next time I use more than one model? My friend Kristen actually suggested this to me, and I thought it was a great idea: Lay it all out for them at the start. Explain that while I'm shooting I may ask one or two to leave the shot for a moment, but not because you look bad or are doing anything wrong, but because I see something working and need to go with it. The other suggestion my friend had, was make sure I have someone helping me. I have to admit, it was pretty hard to keep track of under boob popping out, hair being in the right place, lighting being good and taking the actual photo. 


     All in all, I think everyone had fun, we worked with the elements and the photo shoot was a complete success. The girls were absolutely amazing to work with and I learned a lot.