Customer Reviews

The Aloha Shirt: Spirit Of The Islands

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Dale Hope grew up in the Hawaiian garment industry, taking over his father's clothing business at the age of 26. As the art director of Kahala Sportswear, Hope oversees the creation and manufacturing of 150 new Aloha shirt designs annual. In The Aloha Shirt: Spirit Of The Islands, Hope collaborates with writer Gregory Tozian to offer a magnificent, coffee-table artbook dedicated to the history of the unique and famous Hawaiian shirt style. This impressive treatise covers the history of Hawaiian clothing, the evolution of the tailor shop into the modern clothing factories, the designers, textiles, printmakers, and retailers that made the Hawaiian "aloha shirt" famous around the world. There are chapters focusing on Duke Kahanamoku, celebrities, shirt makers of the 60s, labels and buttons, and aloha shirt collectors. Profusely and beautiful illustrated, the text is informative, at times fascinating, and highly recommended for students of American clothing history and fads in general, and Hawaii's contributions to the garment industry and American popular culture in particular.

The Aloha Shirt: Spirit of the Islands is unique, as a historical and artistic book documenting the Aloha shirt, from its historic beginnings as a cottage industry, to the multi-billion dollar industry it is today. This definitive text has been extensively researched, with textile artists, designers, garment manufacturers and their families and friends all contributing to the consistency of the history as researched by Dale Hope. An educational and artistic book bringing over 500 aloha shirts with their Hawaiian inspired origins paralleled with the history and times of Hawaii. For those who have memories of Hawaii, and for those who share their memories to others, this elegant coffee table book is a "must have" for all!

Congratulations Dale and Gregory, you have written a story that has never been told. This new book, filled with rare photos of beautiful vintage Hawaiian shirts is more than coffee table reading. For all vintage clothing dealers and collectors it is considered required text. It is the written history of Hawaii's own fashion icon to the world, the "Hawaiian Shirt." From its roots in Polynesian prints, to it's birth in Honolulu's Chinatown, Dale shares the stories, lives and legends of "Who's Who" in this slice of time in Paradise. We give it five stars and consider it the best book on the subject! Mahalo Dale for all your work.

Aloha, Larry Craig, owner of Locals Only Vintage Clothing

If Hawaii or the aloha shirt has ever gladdened your heart, you'll want to own THE ALOHA SHIRT. Dale Hope conveys the TRUE SPIRIT (colorful, soft, peaceful, flowing) of the Hawaiian Islands by presenting both the fascinating history of the aloha shirt and 500 or so beautiful illustrations. These illustrations are so varied and exquisite that you'll get high just by perusing them. They also help you see how the aloha shirt can be an art form in and of itself. Hopefully, this book will inspire people to wear their aloha shirts more often -- not just when they visit Hawaii -- and to buy the new ones that are being created by the best artist designers.

I loved Dale Hope's new book, The Aloha Shirt: Spirit of the Islands, so much that I bought three copies! Everything about the book: research, text, layout, photography and binding is absolutely first class. This book documents the evolution of the aloha shirt--and the evolution of Hawaii as a tourism mecca--through oral history and pictoral artifacts, carefully assembled by the author during his 10-year quest. If you've ever been to Hawaii (or dreamed of it), ever worn or admired an aloha shirt, or can appreciate a true work of art --BUY THIS BOOK!

To experience the fragrance,tactile pleasures and balmy breezes of the Hawaiian Islands, I recommend owning The Aloha Shirt: Spirit of The Islands. Dale has magically captured Hawaii's essence with his life long love of the true spirit of aloha ,having lived his entire life in the Islands.This book is a glimpse into an intuitive journey taking 10 years to complete and is now available for all of us to enjoy.The result is fresh,yet ancient and timeless by honoring the Spirit of The Islands. Enjoy the same free falling exhilaration that Dale , surfer and paddler, feels in the warm Pacific Ocean by taking in the colors and perfect design of this book.It is more than words and visuals as you will feel as soon as you open the front cover.

Aloha!

I loved Dale Hope's new book, The Aloha Shirt: Spirit of the Islands, so much that I bought three copies! Everything about the book: research, text, layout, photography and binding is absolutely first class. This book documents the evolution of the aloha shirt--and the evolution of Hawaii as a tourism mecca--through oral history and pictoral artifacts, carefully assembled by the author during his 10-year quest. If you've ever been to Hawaii (or dreamed of it), ever worn or admired an aloha shirt, or can appreciate a true work of art --BUY THIS BOOK!

Wow, what a book!! Having been previously lightly infected by the `Aloha Shirt' bug, after having read this beautiful book, I became incurably and terminally struck down. Profusely illustrated from the collections of many well-known and extremely lucky collectors, this book has become my bedside bible. The research is also first-class, following the development of the Aloha shirt from a fun thing, to a full-blown industry. I now live and breath THE shirt. Buy this book and like me, change your life.

Dale Hope's book covers the manufacturing history and important cultural influence of the aloha shirt. Dale spoke with numerous people who were/are directly involved in the manufacturing of what is now known as the aloha shirt. Finally a book on aloha shirts....from the source. Great color photographs with even a section on Duke! Maikai no mahalo Dale!

This is truly a wonderful book to read. Whether you are a casual admirer of the aloha shirt or a serious collector...you will be interested in the stories, personal experiences and wonderful photographs that make up this book. Excellent layout and many, many color photos....including a section on the Duke! Maikai Dale!