Nani

The history of printmaking in Hawaii runs as deeply as the roots of its palm trees. From the traditional kapa fabrics made from tree fibres to the popular Aloha shirt we see today, the natural beauty of the Islands’ flowers and foliage has always played a role in Hawaiian design.

Hawaiian printmakers have been creating cloth garments since the 1700s. The traditional fabrics, crafted from bark, captivated the exploring Europeans during that time, and Hawaiian craftspeople have continued to develop their art form over time and have raised it to a level of international appreciation.

At Paperblanks, our love of Hawaiian prints comes from childhood, as the floral shirts worn by many of our fathers have stayed in our minds as symbols of carefree summer afternoons spent with family and friends. This passion re-emerged upon an early 2000s visit to the American Textile History Museum, which showcased a history of Hawaiian garments. Here, we saw the evolution of Hawaiian fabric arts from the traditional beginnings through their elevation to high fashion in the mid-20th century, through the designs of Alfred Shaheen and to today’s designers and printmakers who have re-popularized the bold and colourful style.

These contemporary patterns, capturing the Hawaiian spirit of joy and unity (known as aloha), have inspired our Aloha series. Exuberant flower and foliage prints have always infused the natural beauty of the Hawaiian Islands with the joyful aloha spirit. More than just a traditional Hawaiian greeting, aloha is a way of life.

This Nani cover design, featuring the lush tropical florals of Hawaii, is evocative of both traditional hand-painted designs and contemporary printed fabrics, bringing the attitude of aloha to the pages within. In the Hawaiian language, nani means “beautiful” or “enjoyable,” and we hope this rich floral design will bring a sense of beauty and joy to your life.