2012 L’esprit Libre
FOAM MAGAZINE X MIKOH X HELLAWOOD X SPACE 15TWENTY | POP UP SHOP!
We’re lending Urban Outfitters a little surf expertise and partnering up for our brand new surf-inspired pop-up shop and group art show (curated by Marissa Maximo in collaboration with Timothée Verrecchia & Partners) at Space 15 Twenty: Hellawood.
RSVP to join us for the launch party on April 6 or shop the pop-up all month long to view works from FOAM faves Danny Fuller, Alex Kopps and Kassia Meador while shopping men’s and women’s surf apparel from Tallow, Mikoh, Insight, Surf Bazaar, Gypset, Art Park, Freedom Artists, D/M Art and more!
Custom surfboards by Curtis Kulig and Alex Kopps X Travis Reynolds will be auctioned off and proceeds will be given to surf-based charities Rio Breaks Foundation and Beyond the Surface International!
What:
The Hellawood Pop-Up Shop and Art Show
When:
Opening Party: Friday, April 6, 2012 from 7-10pm
Where:
Space 15 Twenty
1520 North Cahuenga Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90028
RSVP HERE!!
There will be live tuneage from JJAMZ, and the first 51 Insight shoppers will receive a gift with purchase throughout the month of April!
SEE MORE ABOUT THE EVENT AND POP UP SHOP HERE
THINGS WE LOVE | LAUGH A LITTLE
THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS? WHERE THE SEA MEETS THE LAND- MEET FIN HIGH HEELS! HA X
VICTORIA’S SECRET X SPORTS ILLUSTRATED EXCLUSIVE | KONA TOP AND CAPE COD BOTTOM
WE ARE EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE THAT THE RED SUITS AS SEEN IN THIS YEAR’S ISSUE OF SPORTS ILLUSTRATED SWIMSUIT 2012 IS SOLD EXCLUSIVELY AT VICTORIA’S SECRET STORES! THE KONA TOP AND CAPE COD BOTTOM, AS SEEN ON ADAORA SHOT BY WALTER IOOSS, JR. IN CAIRNS, AUSTRALIA, IS NOW AVAILABLE AT SPECIALTY VICTORIA’S SECRET STORES! HEAD OVER TO YOUR LOCAL SHOP AND PICK THIS BABY UP!
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INSPIRATION | CLIFF DIVE
“The water is your friend…..you don’t have to fight with water, just share the same spirit as the water, and it will help you move”.
Alexandr Popov
SOURCE TAHITIAN VANILLA
OC INSITE X MIKOH | OC LIFESTLYE X CREATIVE MINDS
Photos by Peter King
As competitive child surfers and swimsuit models for Roxy, raised on SoCal’s sandy shores, Kalani and younger sis, Oleema, know a thing or two about beach living. So it’s no surprise that the athletic duo with an affinity for fashion grew up to be swimwear designers. In 2010, they launched MIKOH Swimwear, a mix of simple and sassy suits that would splash across the pages of the next three issues of Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit Edition. Now, frequently spotted on high-profile celebrities like Cameron Diaz and Kourtney Kardashian, the label dives into its third season with a wider array of cuts, colors and cover-ups, and a brand-new collection for kids.
NBM: When did your interest in clothing design emerge?
OM: Our mother (a seamstress) showed us how to use her sewing machine when I was 8 or 9. We started making our own outfits—of course, they would later rip!—but we were both creative and loved making things.
NBM: MIKOH means “female prophecy” in Japanese; is this a cultural significance?
KM: When we researched the name to see if anyone had it, we found out it’s meaning. Even though we’re of Chinese descent, we’ve always been really into Japanese culture, so the name was a really cool fit. Initially though, the name represents our names: “MI” is for our last name and “KOH” stands for Kalani, Oleema and our little sister, Hana.
NBM: What role does each of you play in the operation?
OM: I’m more creative and Kalani is more business-minded. It works well that we’re so good at different things—two creative minds could be a battle!
NBM: Where do most of your creative concepts come from?
OM: It’s very random—I try to carry a sketchpad wherever I go but usually end up jotting down my ideas and drawings on scraps of paper, wrappers, magazine pages and napkins!
NBM: All MIKOH pieces are all seamless and hardware free, making them more versatile and flattering to a woman’s body. What other details should women look for when choosing a swimsuit?
OM: Nothing should dig into your skin, which creates body bulges, and stay away from ill-fitted bottoms—contrary to popular belief, less fabric is way more flattering!
KM: Also look for colors that compliment your skin tone. And go with your gut; if you feel comfortable and confident, chances are you look just as great as you feel.
NBM: What inspired the 2012 swimwear styles?
OM: The free spirit of the 1960s and’70s—in addition to our usual earthy colors, you’ll see a lot of bold and bright solids and prints this season, [reminiscent] of that era.
NBM: Between traveling for work and as girlfriends of professional surfers (Kalani is the girlfriend of 11x World Surfing Champion Kelly Slater, and Oleema dates Taj Burrow), you both—much like your target demographic—are always on-the-go. What are some of your most treasured travel finds?
OM: I collect shells from all of the beautiful beaches I’ve visited. And jewelry.
KM: I love collecting fabrics—I have this great beach blanket that I found in Bali (where our suits are manufactured).
NBM: Where can we find your suits in Newport Beach?
OM: Westerly, Molly Brown’s, Diane’s and the Victoria’s Secret store in Fashion Island. We’re also on shopbop.com and revolveclothing.com.
THINGS WE LOVE | KALANI’S AUSTRALIAN DIARY
SO WE ARE BACK FROM THE WILD WEST AKA WESTERN AUSTRALIA, WHERE THE WINE FLOWS LIKE WATER, THE BEACHES ARE UNINHABITED AND RAW, AND DAYS ARE SPENT IN THE SUN, CRYSTAL WATER, AND RUNNING THROUGH THE VINEYARDS. WA (AS IT IS BETTER CALLED OVER HERE) IS THE PERFECT GETAWAY WITH FRIENDS AND LOVERS. EVERYONE WALKS AROUND WITH A CROOKED GRIN ON THEIR FACE (MAYBE IT IS FROM THE CONSTANT SLIGHT BUZZ FROM ALL THE WINE?), AND HAS A RELAXED WEEKEND GETAWAY FEEL TO THEIR ATTITUDE AND DRESS. THANK YOU TO THE TELSTRA DRUG AWARE PRO AND WESTERN AUSTRALIA FOR ALL THE HOSPITALITY AND FUN TIMES AND MEMORIES. TAKE ME AWAY, WA!
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KALANI
INSPIRATION | NO FEAR
STEVEN SPIELBERG’S NO FEAR ATTITUDE