There’s a garment being made on the South Shore that can take you from the beach towel to cocktail hour in one fell swoop.
Actually, it can serve as a party dress or evening wear, swimsuit cover or beach towel. It can be an outfit for girls’ night out or for date night. Made to fit from jersey-type materials, you can wear it in practically any style, with jeans or as a dress, as a long T-shirt or as a skirt.
Versatile and fast-drying, it’s made in sunny Lawai and it’s called the Wahine Wrap.
Mimi Campbell makes the Wahine Wraps at Warehouse 3540 in Lawai, where a collection of creatives of all types sell their wares and host workshops as well as sell craft foods and coffees from a few food trucks on site. The Koloa woman sells the wraps at a few shops on the South Shore of Kauai, and online.
Campbell saw something akin to the Wahine Wraps years ago at Poipu Beach Park, and says she had to start making her own version, inspired by the fact that these wraps cut out the need to go home between a beach day and sunset dinner. She creates them to fit all shapes and sizes, with the goal of making women feel great in clothing that’s practical.
Recently, Campbell took a break from her sewing machine to talk with The Garden Island about how she started making Wahine Wraps and what inspires her to continue.
Where are you from and what brought you to Kauai?
I was born in Santa Monica California on the borders of Dogtown and Venice Beach. Blessed by the waters of the Pacific Ocean, I grew up in a strong surf and skate culture that paved the way to the punk-rock-music scene in Los Angeles. This is a big part of who I am today and what led me to the fashion world. I studied at FIDM (Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising) in downtown Los Angeles and became a fashion stylist, dressing models and actors for photo shoots and advertising. I worked in the fashion world for over 20 years. I found that the fashion world wasn’t that glamorous or respectful to the beautiful people in it. But, as my good friend, artist and painter, Aly Kourouma, says: “True beauty is within.”
I moved to the island of Kauai because my good friends who I danced and surfed with in the good ‘ole days, Ellen Wagner and Leslie Frasier, had moved here over 15 years ago, and had been trying to lure me over ever since. Finally the planets aligned and a visit three years ago lead to a permanent change of address. My life is better than expected. With fresh air, clean water and dancing in an awesome halau (Papa Lau‘ae o Makana) I’m happier and healthier than I’ve been in a decade.
Tell us about Wahine Wraps. What makes them special?
Wahine wraps are handmade and handprinted right here in Koloa Town. What makes them special is how versatile they can be, from being used as a beach towel to being worn as a halter dress or shawl for your next rendezvous or disco. Ohh lala.
Currently, I’m printing my logo on Wahine Wraps using a 1950s vintage printing press only found in the magical workshop of Machine Machine, located in Warehouse 3540 in Lawai. Big thanks to Shannon and Charlie for their generosity and dedication to the arts.
Where do you get your materials and what inspires the designs?
I use fabric remnants of high-end designers, which keeps my quality high, my stock changing constantly, and my prices low.
The colors I choose are inspired by the natural world around me. It can be a tint of blue the ocean winks at me one day, to the red dirt after a tropical shower.
I hand-cut each one to the specifications of the different body types I come in contact with, from ages 5 to 85.
How did you come up with the idea? Do you have a seamstress background?
My dear friend Colleen Newlin gave me the idea for the wrap as she was swishing around Poipu Beach in a wrap she had purchased 20 years ago. The idea is not original, but my take on it is. The wrap design might even go as far back as the ancient Greeks.
What else do you create on Kauai?
I’m also an interior designer here on the island. I believe people can heal themselves with color and texture. Finding colors to inspire and enliven ourselves can change our whole outlook. Whether its buying a new dress or painting your bathroom, colors affect our mood, just like the weather. I’ve helped people renovate their outdated homes, decorate their vacation rentals, and have even assisted in a few hotel and restaurant designs. Some are still in progress. See Kauaidesigngroup.com.
What are some of your other favorite pasttimes and interests?
I love traveling, photography and animals. Both my parents were born in Greece and I grew up traveling around Europe. Kauai is a lot like Greece, with farms, crystal-clear oceans and a big-hearted community. I am passionate about helping the animals in my community. There are so many awesome animal-lovers here! And it never ceases to amaze me how we always look out for each other and our wild counterparts.
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Jessica Else, staff writer, can be reached at 245-0452 or jelse@thegardenisland.com.
