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A Hawaiian, Chun was inspired by the garments worn by plantation workers and the silk shirts made from kimono scraps, and in 1931 invented the Aloha Shirt. The colorful shirts with palm tree, hula, or floral motifs were an instant hit with local surfers and entertainers, which spurred sales among tourists. The colorful shirts are now a Hawaiian tradition. Chun died May 16 at age 91. From This is True for 4 June 2000 Suggestions for further reading:
 By: H. Thomas Steele List Price: $27.50 Amazon Price: $20.90 Editorial Review: Recollectibles delight popular culture collectors and graphic designers with their interesting design and intriguing subjects. Each book has a unique and engaging cover that is sure to charm people everywhere.  By: Nancy N. Schiffer List Price: $39.95 Amazon Price: $30.36 Editorial Review: Beautiful and wild print shirts evolved from the special culture of Hawaii, a paradise of mild climate, clean water, and abundant flowers. With their beautiful Island landscapes, colorful tropical flowers, Asian images, surfer boys, and hula girls, Aloha shirts are great fun to wear and own. In this expansive book, over 425 different shirts are displayed in clear color photographs along with an historical text, women's clothing, 20 different button styles, and for the first time 229 researched manufacturer's and retail labels which help to date and identify the shirts. Graphic designers will revel in the diversity of "Hawaiian" designs and the remarkably beautiful colors of the prints.  By: DeSoto BrownLinda B. Arthur List Price: $19.95 Amazon Price: $13.57 Editorial Review: A wardrobe staple of John Wayne, Elvis Presley, and Bing Crosby, no 1950s Levittown luau or '60s surf party was complete without an aloha shirt. It?s a reminder of the pleasures of the tropical paradise lifestyle and its fabric patterns have evolved into their own works of art. A retrospective look at one of America?s most iconic cultural symbols of island life and its decades-long presence in mainstream fashion around the globe, The Art of the Aloha Shirt is a beautifully illustrated book that tells the complete story of the aloha shirt, from its origins in Hawaii in the early 1930s to its present status as a must-have in the retro fashion closets across the globe. It includes rare photos of vintage aloha shirts and island-inspired accoutrements of island lifestyle from surfboards to cocktail shakers.  By: Nancy N. Schiffer List Price: $19.95 Amazon Price: $15.56 Editorial Review: Over 300 beautiful print shirts, dresses, and bathing suits-acquired on vacation in the tropics-brought home to preserve the memory, cherished, and shown here to recall and enjoy. Lovely florals, maps, famous scenes, something of the lush vacation lifestyle. The book is organized by tropical locations: the South Pacific, Hawaii, California, Florida, Bermuda, the Bahamas, the Virgin Islands, the West Indies...and the designs are inspired by the heat, light, and relaxation of these popular destinations. Today's graphic designers will find this a source of great ideas; collectors will want them all. Shown also are 163 different clothing labels to help identify the retail and design origins.  By: Linda B. Arthur List Price: $49.95 Amazon Price: $37.96 Editorial Review: Over the years, various garments have become increasingly popular collectible items as they grant insight into the cultures in which they were made. Collectors who love the sand, sun, and surf will delight in this extraordinary guide to handsome Hawaiian clothing. Filled with over 460 beautiful photos, this book gives a historical account of Hawai`i's fashion industry and its effect on the Western world. Unique island designs, exotic fabrics, and traditional garments--including the holoku and mu`umu`u--are all included within this spectacular display of Hawaiian paradise. Generations of tourists to Hawai`i will enjoy the explanations of clothing designs unique to the islands, and designers will find this an invaluable and inspiring reference tool. |
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