Fusion the soul of Soleil

Soleil's Pacific fusion goes hand-in-hand with an island lifestyle

You'd have to search the streets thoroughly to find anyone under the age of 30 dressed in anything that might be deemed Hawaiian or Polynesian. Honolulu's young and trendy set appears to favor, instead, an urban, L.A. chic-casual aesthetic befitting a big city with temperatures that range from tolerable to steamy.

SOLEIL Soleil is at 909 Kapahulu Ave. No. 7, in the same building as Karaoke Hut, across from Leonard's Bakery. Call 735-5360 or visit www.soleil808.com.

Growing up, Summer Vaimaona never understood why Polynesian style couldn't be considered as chic as urban apparel, or why anyone would have to give up one style for the other.

"As much as we want to try to be L.A., we've got to face facts. We're an island people," she said. "I grew up around beautiful Polynesian women who were so fashionable, but they always tied in a little bit of a Polynesian accent, whether it was carrying a lauhala clutch or wearing a Tahitian wrap belt," she said.

"I feel like I'm bringing it back, but putting a new face on it. I feel like I'm doing it for my culture, sharing my roots. I don't want to forget that."

Vaimaona, 25, of Hawaiian, Samoan, Tahitian, Chinese and English heritage, enjoyed mixing Western and Polynesian clothing as a teenager attending Kamehameha Schools, and recently decided to introduce what she calls "Polynesian Fusion" fashion via her boutique, Soleil, which opened in May.

There, sharing space with Miss Me denim, several L.A. designers and contemporary, made-in-Hawaii dresses by Roberta Oaks, are clothing and accessory lines from Samoa, Tahiti and Rarotonga. One of the dominant lines is TAV, out of Rarotonga, created by Ellena Tavioni. Her rayon, cotton and cotton-Lycra dresses are hand-blocked with bold, stylized graphics reminiscent of ancient tapa designs updated to look thoroughly contemporary.

Vaimaona also hasn't forgotten full-figured women either, carrying plus sizes rarely seen in trendy boutiques, where size 6 would be considered a plus size.

To go with the clothing, there is locally made jewelry by Ginger13 as well as bracelets made from wood and shell, Tahitian pearl necklaces -- and Vaimaona's expecting a shipment of tapa belts from Samoa for fall, to be priced from $45 to $50.

"These are the real thing, handcrafted out of authentic materials," Vaimaona said, noting the detrimental effect of mass-manufactured replicas made in Asia and sold cheaply in Waikiki. Among her aims is to raise awareness of Polynesian artists and the laborious processes by which they create their tapa and jewelry.

VAIMAONA'S COMFORT with a fusion lifestyle is due in part to having been born into a show-business family. Her aunt is Cha Thompson, whose Tihati Polynesian revues have long been a Waikiki staple.

"She's an amazing woman, and from a business aspect so inspirational. I learn a lot just by watching her," said Vaimaona, who worked as a Tihati dancer for 10 years, donning many Polynesian costumes in a single show.

The island aesthetic carried over into her streetwear, although she was careful to avoid going overboard, at which point an outfit can have the undesired effect of turning into costume.

But Vaimaona couldn't deny her first love was fashion, and she credits her mom for advising her to follow her heart, although her mother didn't live long enough to see the store become a reality.

"I always had this Polynesian fusion sense and there was nothing like it in Hawaii. She told me I should just do it and make a brand, and this store is dedicated to her," Vaimaona said. "She was always a huge part of this project, and still is. She's very much with me and was responsible for me getting to this place."