Source of Creativity- What's original?

Have you ever thought that every book ever written after the dictionary is just a remix? Every scientific theory is just a version of the big bang? Every garment is based on the last? And how in the world are you supposed to find good music, food, art, or heaven forbid a bikini that no one else has? Is there any thing we can say is totally original these days? _________________________________________________________________

 Being a new employee, I am able to see the manufacturing process from an outside perspective, and couldn't be more impressed with the Kaikini team. With the summer rush coming in, and the bikini bods heating up, production records are soaring! The beautifully decorated headquarters offer a positive environment for the creation of award winning suits from the ashes of organization, expertise, design, laughter, honesty, and everything in-between. The only direction is up for Kaikini's and we are progressing every day! But as we all know too well, growing also entails stepping out of your comfort zone and by doing this we are talking on a few extra projects we are excited about!

I love this company because we communicate. Nothing is swept under the rug and topics and ideas are always being discussed.

 A popular subject that seems to be in the hot seat is the source of originality, main focus on bikinis. We recently discovered some bizarre knockoffs of our suits on EBAY, copywriting of model's pictures, and replicas of ours and other suits in popular magazines and media.

And so we discussed: Being an apparel manufacturer and to work in an industry where copying is the rule, NOT the exception is a hard and humbling concept to grasp. Especially when the swimsuit industry is booming and everywhere you turn a new bikini manufacturer pops up usually with styles looking very similar to the last 10 you've already tried on.

 We took the high road and asked ourselves; do you think the swimsuit industry actually thrives because designers borrow and steal from other designers? Can you actually replicate something so much that it re-invents itself as something new?

 Then we took the low road and asked ourselves, is it legal for them to copy designs like this? Should we be watermarking every image? Should we get a lawyer? As you can see, it was easy for us to get upset when a swimsuit that looks remarkably similar to that of which just took months for us to design shows up in a popular underwear catalog.

 But the facts are in the fashion industry- there is very little intellectual property protection. Anyone can copy an image, but to create utilitarian 3 dimensional object to wear and sell is TOTALLY legal.

We also considered our customers: Do more options make it easier or harder to choose a bikini? What criteria is considered when purchasing? Fit? Material? Price?

We then questioned KaiKini's trademark styles that we considered original. What about the day-one scrunch butt bottoms that have been perfected? Or the traditional bikini top that ties around the back of your neck (which gets caught in your hair and strains your neck) that we modified so the straps crisscross in some creative way for more support and comfort?

Sigh. Unfortunately these designs can all be replicated.

So how can we distinguish ourselves? What makes us different from all the other bikini companies out there? Ding! Our tireless efforts to give you the best swimsuit to fit your lifestyle. The consistency and perfectionism applied to every suit that is made. The dedication and persistence to treat every customer with repect, and to make our products affordable. The production management, the designer's ideas, the quality control- all these things are original to us.

I know KaiKini will always continue to transform the things that CAN be copied, by combining the elements we are inspired by; our customers, surroundings (Kauai), adventure, and YES- other bikinis. For all of those who know how hard it is to pick a bikini, we hope we meet your expectations in inspiration and originality.

 So... we welcome all bikini manufacturers, all budding designers, and all dreamers who are willing to create. If your creative impulse is feeling unoriginal don't get discouraged- use it as inspiration! Don't let images from others filter into your work.
Instead perfect your product by putting together what you have in the present moment and be your OWN creative genius! Focus on being innovative, understanding, hardworking, and YOU!- that can never be replicated!

 Hand-made with originality and Aloha, -Kaikini HQ :)

 Mahalo- Kona-Kai Wilson

We lost our spark...

Call it luck. Call it fate. Call it the spirit of Kauai…whatever it was that brought us together sure had things right. I hope you’re lucky enough to work with people that inspire you, make you laugh and keep you motivated. We call ourselves the “KaiKini Wahines”. Maybe it isn't the best work practice to be such good friends with your employees, but I don’t care. It works for me. It works for us. These girls are like family to me.

The KaiKini Wahines: Andrea, Marina, Taryn, Kristen & Kim

There is a sense of trust between us that is the underlying basis for our success. We have weekly meetings so we can brainstorm and keep each other in check. Communication is key. Last year though, it got tough. Some pretty significant things happened. I was pregnant, had a baby, we moved from the studio behind my house to a huge warehouse in downtown Kapaa and immediately had a grand opening party and runway show. The girls took on a lot. I wasn't able to give the business my full attention and the girls picked up the slack. This was never discussed, they just made it happen. (A million “thank you’s” will never be enough to express the gratitude I feel towards these girls.) So by the end of the year, we were exhausted, a little burnt out and a lot needed to be said. We all worked really hard to get where we needed to be, but somewhere in the mix we lost that spark we had. The fun, the laughter, the bonding - it hadn't been happening. So after the new year we sat down, talked it out, cried it out, let everything that we had been holding back go. We learned that the head down, clench your fists and work through it method is not the way for us. 

It’s amazing what a good cry fest will do for a bunch of girls! Kristen and Marina are back to singing songs from their favorite Disney movies, Kim chimes in about her latest look on Covet, and I even caught a smile on Andrea’s face when she was counting inventory (her least favorite task). As for me, I’m happy that things are back to normal, but actually no, they’re not normal, they’re better than normal. We figured it out. We found the perfect balance of work and fun. Things get accomplished faster and with less mistakes; the anticipation for our crazy summer season is building and we are ready. Together we can do this. Together we create the magic that is KaiKini.

XOXO,

Taryn Mari'

How does a gangster from Detroit end up as a seamstress?

Meet the KaiKini Wahines! Today we're giving thanks for our resident comedian and girl of many talents, Kristen. This little blonde bundle of joy hails from the 'burbs of Detroit and she brings a taste of the city to this quiet little island lifestyle. We love her to pieces! You're going to love her special talents - read on below!

Name: Kristen Oakes

KaiKini Position: Production Manager & Seamstress AKA The Closet Gangster

What’s Your Sign: Aquarius (Feb 2)

Hometown: Sterling Heights, MI

Favorite Color: Pink

Favorite KaiKini at the moment: Magenta Sport Top & Aloha Kahua Bottoms

Favorite thing about working at KaiKini: That we are such a close family here and I get to come in and work with my friends!

If you could marry a cartoon character, who would it be?
Aladdin - Middle Eastern & Tan :)

Who's your favorite Disney Princess?
Ariel - The Little Mermaid

Secret talent:
Bursting into random song & dance


Words to live by:
Learn from yesterday, Live for today, Pray for tomorrow.

The perfect day is...
My birthday of course! And I'd have to say April 25th. Because it's not too hot, not too cold, all you need is a light jacket. (Props if you can name this movie reference)!


Halloween, Thanksgiving or Christmas?
Halloween all the way!

Vodka, Rum, Whiskey or Tequila?
Whiskey girl!

Theme Song at the moment:
Beer in Mexico - Kenny Chesney (Somebody's leaving for Cancun in 24 hours!)

What inspires you?
Money inspires me to be rich...

If you won the lottery, what would you do?
Travel the world in a private jet (after accomplishing world peace, of course!)

Name 5 things you can't live without:
Wifi, My Laptop, Sunshine, Love & my Family (Does that make me sound like a better person? hehe)

What are you giving thanks for?
Living in Hawaii and my parents – without them I don’t think I ever would have moved to Kauai to start a life!

Win these Sunnies!

Throwback to last weekend's photoshoot with a few of the beauties from 

Kauai Juice Co. 

The results: Pure Glowing Goodness.

  

Like these sunnies? We're doing a giveaway with Kameleonz this weekend so watch our Instagram for the details!

A big thanks to Ariel, Robin & Stefanie! XoXo!!

#SpreadingAloha

- ALOHA -

‘We use it in greetings and farewells and in expressing love. But the word means even more, it is a way of life. 

Besides these common meanings, the word Aloha holds within itself all one needs to know to interact rightfully in the natural world. These insights describe an attitude or way of life sometimes called "The Aloha Spirit" or "The Way of Aloha".’ - THE DEEPER MEANING OF ALOHA by Curby Rule 

 ‘The literal meaning of aloha is “the presence of breath” or “the breath of life.” It comes from “Alo,” meaning presence, front and face, and “ha,” meaning breath. Aloha is a way of living and treating each other with love and respect. Its deep meaning starts by teaching ourselves to love our own beings first and afterwards to spread the love to others.’ The Meaning of Aloha 

Here at KaiKini, we embrace Aloha – sewing it into every bikini – spreading it every chance we get. We keep it local – making our ‘Kinis right here on Kauai with supplies made in the United States. We’ve also made a commitment to sustainable, ethical manufacturing and ‘green’ business practices. We design bikinis made for fun – for adventure – the days that make your heart happy. We’re so fortunate to be doing something we love and we want to spread this Aloha from the little island of Kauai to the rest of the world.

We invite you to show us how you spread and share the Aloha! Maybe it’s as simple as a smile – lounging on the beach in your favorite KaiKini – sharing a wave with your bestie – or diving below the waves with da fish & da honu. Maybe it’s bigger than you, donating your time for a good cause or cleaning up your favorite beach. Whatever it is, show us! Tag us in your photos #spreadingaloha and together let’s show the world a little love and a lot of ALOHA!

Be the Aloha you wish to see in the world.

#spreadingaloha one bikini at a time: your KaiKini Wahines: (from left to right) Kim, Andrea, Taryn, Marina & Kristen