Alfred Shaheen is one of the best known of the Hawaiian garment and textile designers of the 20th Century. The designer was active from 1948 into the 1980's. His most recognizable and collectable pieces are from the 1950's.
In 1948 he opened Alfred Shaheen to make Hawaiian shirts for men and dresses for women.
He set up Surf ‘n Sand Hand Prints to print the colorful Hawaiian fabrics. His hand printed textiles were based on the flora and fauna of the Hawaiian Islands, along with Hawaiian traditions and authentic tapa cloth designs.
Shaheen produced not only the fabric, but they also manufactured clothing made from it. Shaheen was known for their sexy sarong dresses and swim suits, Hawaiian shirts and halter dresses with full skirts (similar to dress in photo.) The company closed in 1988 when Alfred Shaheen retired.
Resources: Vintage Fashion Guild, fuzzylizzie.com
These images are from Lani Garfield taken at our most recent Fashion Show during Modernism week
in Palm Springs.
Alfred Shaheen 1950's halter, full skirt dress
All jewelry provided by: Route 66 West
