Shag designed Fez ...

To commemorate 10 years of tiki magic Fez-o-rama have announced what may be the greatest mash-up in designer tiki art headwear: The official Tiki Oasis fez! This rare, limited edition fez features fabric designed by world renowned illustrator and artist Shag exclusively for Tiki Oasis and handcrafted into a swanky noggin topper by the upper primates at Fez-o-rama.

Limited to only 50 pieces and due to the nature of the printed fabric, no two will be exactly alike! Each of these high profile fezzes will feature an antique brass tassel grommet and imported brass tassel lock for easy tassel adjustment and the quilted black lining includes both the new four color Fez-o-rama and Shag Limited Edition labels.

Production starts with a pre-order of one of the six sizes available. If you fancy one of these get across to their website now.

More from the Farm ... more shelves required ...

The Tiki Farm have released more details of their forthcoming mugs. As always they are well designed and will come with the usual fantastic Tiki Farm quality. I wish I had the cash and shelf space to accommodate them all!

Premiering soon EXCLUSIVELY at the world famous Kon Tiki are three brand new Milan Guanko inspired designs. Rendered and dressed-up into mug form by Pizz, keep an eye out as they will be released in the not-too-distant future.

Mana Mana is the second design (1st was the very-popular Captain Hold Fast mug) from the Scottish Atomy Tony Tiki. Mana Mana is a super cool Maori Baby Eater!

Next up is the remaining stash of a fun design Tiki Farm did for Surf n Shack in Capitola, CA. Tim Ward did the design for this little surfed-out Tiki dude!

Finally is their first collaboration with Japanese artist & pinstriper “Ghost”! Shown below is his design… “The Slickster”.

Perhaps most interesting for ambitious home bar owners and events managers are the custom Tiki Farm mugs that they can create for you. They can produce your art high resolution on waterslide backing decals. After immersing the decals in water, they slide them onto your mug, squeegee out any bubbles and then fire the art onto the mug, making it 100% permanent.

If you're interested in any of these mugs get yourself down to the Farm and snap them up.

The Beachcomber Bar, Minehead, UK ...

A recent postcard purchase set me thinking about a Tiki Bar that I visited every year for about eight years as a child. The post card above is an original from 1970 and depicts the Beachcomber Bar inside the Butlins Holiday Camp, Minehead, UK.

In the mid 60's most of the Butlin's camps in the UK had theme bars, the best remembered has to be the Beachcomber with its tropical storm, boats and Hawaiian bar maids. From the other postcards I’ve seen online the Minehead Beachcomber seemed to have the most ephemera and looks to have been the most decked out.

It was an amazing experience as a child, sitting eating and drinking soda in those surroundings - Running water abounded, fish swam, lightening flashed and the rain poured every half hour like clockwork!

This Pathe News clip recorded at another Beachcomber gives you a tropical flavour of what it was like. (I love the commentary on this … very much of the time)

THE BEACHCOMBER BAR

Minehead Butlins was built in 1962 and the Beachcomber with its impressive A frame (… even if it was just bolted to a square shed!) proved to be a tempting tropical escape within the camp!

It operated for over twenty years before the decline started …

In 1995 - 96 The Beachcomber was used for the Bingo (yes … Bingo!) and retained some original fittings including the Volcano which by this time had become sadly dormant! In 1996 the venue was split in half and one side remained semi-intact and was renamed Hurricane Harry’s and was fitted out with new fittings and furniture.

The Beachcomber closed its doors for the last time in 1998 and was used as a storage room. Tiki Bar? ... yes! Tiki storage room? ... it'll never catch on!

Sadly in 2006 the building was demolished ending hopes that one day it might be restored to its former glory. Still I hold on to some fond memories ... and a postcard! ;0)

More Mugs from the Down on the Farm...

Tiki Farm have just released details of three new commissioned pieces that will be made available to collectors...

Tiki Farm is happy to announce that, in conjunction with KC Heylin at Beachdude, Inc., we’ve created the first ever official “USC Tiki mug”! The Tikis shown on the mug are KC’s official “Beachdude Tiki” meets “Tommy Trojan”.Shown above in USC “Cardinal & Gold”, this unique mug is available for sale right now exclusively at the Beachdude website! Here’s the link… Beachdude Inc.

This is 50th Anniversary Tiki mug for the Omni Hut in Smyrna, Tennessee!Pearl Harbor survivor James Frank Walls covered more than a million miles of travel as a United States Air Force pilot. Collecting authentic recipes during his travels to Hawaii, the Philippines, Hong Kong & the South Pacific, Walls founded the Omni Hut, a Tiki-style restaurant, in 1960. Today, the restaurant is owned & operated by the very Aloha-spirited daughter of Walls, Polly Walls-Balakhani. Every element of the 1950’s and 60’s Tiki craze is still in place!

The Tikis on featured on the Omni Hut Tiki mug are the same Tikis that were rendered for the Omni Hut’s original menu cover and are still on their menu to this day. There are 2 color ways available as shown in the photo below, traditional “Tiki brown” as well as in the same color direction that it appears on the menu of purple with yellow and blue headdress accenting. The run of the brown mug is 800 each and the purple mug was produced in a smaller run of only 200 each. The mug is currently available exclusively through the Omni Hut and by telephone order only.

Finally is our commission from the Palm Springs Modern Committee to recreate an authorized replica of the vintage Salton Sea ashtray!This wonderful and nostalgic ashtray is a replica of an original design created back in the early 1960's and was sold at souvenir shops as a memento of the popular Salton Sea recreational area. This cool piece of history is available exclusively at the Palm Springs Modern Committee’s website, which can be found at here.

Some new additions ...

Here are a couple of my most recent additions to the collection here on the Secret Island. The first is a mug from Tiki Location John's Garden, Malibu, manufactured by Tiki Farm in 2010. The mug is available in two colors: bright orange and blue, the colors of nearby Pepperdine University. The mug is a highball design, with four surfboard "shields" and a tiki. I ordered this from Hermosa General Store which is an excellent online eBay store. Check them out.

The other is a set of SHAG coasters in a collectible tin. I must mention that the first set I ordered were lost in the post but the seller expressed a second set to me when I mentioned that they'd not arrived. Proof that there are some nice people still out there.

More from Derek Yaniger ...

Okay so we're a not too many hours away from Santa O'Clock so its too late to start thinking about purchasing online gifts for the big day. There will however be plenty of goodies for yourself to spend money on when you end up disappointed with the socks and undies you get again this year!

Derek Yaniger has been as busy as one of Santa's elves creating a fantastic deal and a new serigraph.

First up is the Tiki Oasis Serigraph Set. This collectible five serigraph collection includes all FIVE years of Tiki Oasis Serigraphs and is printed on heavyweight archival French paper all signed and numbered by the artist in a super limited edition of 15. All for a mind boggling $225!

Second on offer are the Ding Dong Devils! Groove on this way-out super-sexy mini serigraph by Derek! This collectable four color silk screened serigraph is printed on colored heavyweight archival French paper and measures 12" x 12" all signed and numbered by the artist in a limited edition of 75. Only $35!

Introducing Bosko ...

Since graduating from Art Center College of Design in 1988, Bosko Hrnjak has carved out quite a career for himself. Literally: His hand-chiseled palm and redwood Tikis have become sought-after collector’s items, enabling him to create his own Polynesian hideaway on the outskirts of Escondido, California.

Taboo Cove a Bosko Bonana!

Between 1963 and 1976 his family moved four times, but always in the same area: Just off of Rosemead Blvd in Southern California's San Gabriel valley. From the back seat of their 64 Impala, he was amazed by the nightly drive past all of the mid-century Architectural landmarks; by day, peddling his bike, it seemed quite natural to see huge Tiki Gods, waterfalls, and volcanoes in front of A-frames. But by the mid 80's, he started his Tiki mug collection which kept growing and growing. Sven Kirsten explained to him in 1992 that there was a California Tiki style -- at once modern, primitive and cartoonish -- it was like an epiphany; it all made sense.

A couple of months later someone dumped a load of palm logs in a vacant lot down the road, and he took some home to carve Tiki stuff for his home bar. Two weeks later he had his first mask and pole designs (as seen in Tiki News #1). Soon after Bosko decided he needed his own Tiki mug, so the ceramics came next; he’s currently up to design #45!

Bosko has always held the forgotten masters in the highest regard, so it was an honor when, in the late 90's, he met Mr Westerhaver, creator of the legendary Witco furniture company, which featured in a previous post. It turned out both had attended Art Center School of Design in Pasadena, although 40 years apart. With his advice and support he developed his burnt-wood carving style.



His most recent exhibition was Mod Scapes & Shapes at M-Modern. Check out the slideshow…

Bosko Official Website.

Christmas Stocking Fillers #3: ModCloth's Tiki Me Home Pepper Grinder

Okay so so far we've got the Whirlingturban Dress and the Derek Print and the Shag Pirate Boy collectables. But what do you buy the Tiki Fan that has everything?

Well ModCloth bring you the Tiki Me Home Pepper Grinder!

Press the chiseled plastic statue's nose to grind and season meals with a Pacific Islander twist! This will be your favorite functional kitchen appliance that doubles as a conversation piece!

ModCloth was founded by high school sweethearts, Eric Koger and Susan Gregg Koger, and built on a foundation of love for vintage and retro clothing, ModCloth.com is an online clothing, accessories, and decor retailer that aims to provide a fun and engaging shopping atmosphere for you, our customer. Check them out ...

Tiki Finds: Westwood Mugs from Japan ...

Here are my most recent beach combing finds, three Westwood Tiki mugs from Japan.

Westwood produced Tiki themed ceramics between 1960 - 1975. They were often thin-walled with a bright graphic design, and manufactured for general retail sale.

Ooga-Mooga seems to suggest that there was a wide range of Westwood products available from mugs to condiment sets and full dinner services.

The examples I have added to my mug collection here are:
Top:      Mug W2
Middle:  Mug W4 
Bottom:  Mug W1.

What is Witco?

Witco started out as Western International Trading Company and imported South Pacific home furnishing items like Capishell Lamps. The company co-founders and artists were Ron Hovde and Bill Westenhaver.

As well as their business dealings in decorative imports they also had an interest in carving which eventually evolved into the rough cedar chain saw carved furniture and Tikis that Witco, as it became more commonly known, became famous for.

The artwork and production plant in Mt. Vernon, Washington eventually sold $15 million worth of Witco products throughout the world over a 10 year run in the 1970's.

One of their best customers must have been Elvis! The King's Jungle Room at Graceland is furnished almost entirely with Witco furniture. Most homes could get away with a feature piece or two, but not so Elvis as it would seem that his insatiable appetite for food was matched by his love of Witco! His Jungle Room features a full couch, a half-dozen chairs, tables, a cabinet, and a tiki bar with stools. Finished off with a lime green shag carpet not only on the floor but the ceiling as well!

p277 to 293 in the essential book Tiki Modern have a wonderful section on Witco and the legacy that it has left behind. In coming weeks I'll feature some of the work of Bosko, one of my favourite artists, which has a Witco flavour that I love.

Christmas Stocking Fillers #2: M Modern Online Sale ...

Christmas is coming and the Secret Island Goose is getting fat!

Okay so you've bought the Whirlingturban dress, but what else is on the shopping list? Well here are a couple more gift ideas from the M Modern Gallery in Palm Strings...

Founded in 2003 M Modern Gallery specialises in Mid Century Modernist Art, design and objects. At the moment they have a fine sale with some fantastic seasonal savings. Here at the Secret Island we picked out two so Santa if you're reading this we'd quite like ...

"LIMBO MANIACS"  4 Color Serigraph Print on Paper Signed & Numbered  by DEREK YANIGER
24" x 12.5" Regular Price: $75    50% Off             SALE PRICE: $37.50 USD

Pirate Boy of the Caribbean by Shag. Designer: Span of Sunset - Shag      Dimensions: 10 Inches
Medium: Vinyl  Rarity: 500   Regular Price: $60 - 50% Off!    SALE PRICE: $29.95 USD

Tiki Farm 10th Anniversary at La Luz De Jesus Gallery ...

Tiki Farm are the benchmark and prolific in the creation of fantastic Tiki Mugs, you would be hard pressed to have a collection without one! They recently celebrated their 10th Anniversary at the Le Luz De Jesus Gallery in L.A. offering collectors and fans an opportunity to see all their work in the once space! I wasn't there but this amazing video is the next best thing ...



Founded in 2000 by Holden Westland Tiki Farm has gone on to become the largest manufacturer of Tiki mugs in the world. It is argued that they have produced more mugs & designs than all other manufacturers combined - ever! Over 1,000 designs and 2 million mugs sold but with limited runs they all become collectible in some way and can fetch $300, although if you can get in early new releases can be snapped up between $10 and $15! Amazing when you consider that they have seven full time members of staff!

They have worked with some of the most recognized artist's in today's Tiki/Lowbrow movement including some of my favourites like Shag, Derek Yaniger, Marcus Thorn, Squid and Brad Parker! They have also been commissioned to produce custom mugs for literally 100's of bars, restaurants, resorts & luau's throughout the world like . Disneyland, Trader Vic's and Don Ho Enterprises.

History of the Aloha Shirt ...

Hawaiian shirts have a long history in the 50th State. There have been numerous stories, fictions, as well as the odd half-truths perpetuated about the origins of the Hawaiian Shirt, more popularly known as the Aloha Shirt in Hawaii. One such story goes like this…

Prior to the establishment of the Hawaiian Shirt in the fashion annals, Honolulu was a rather conservative, somewhat drab place from a fashion standpoint. In the 1920s and 1930s immigrants from numerous countries began setting roots in Hawaii, seeking prosperity and a new life in what was then a Plantation town. Bright Kimono cloth came from Japan, the relaxed and cool-wearing Barong Tagalog  came from the Phillippines, bright formal colored garments and silk came from China, the traditional collared shirt style came from the USA, and native Hawaiians provided their own traditional geometric block patterns, first seen on the Kapa Malo (loin cloth) and Kapa Pa'u (similar to a sarong).

The probable precursor to the modern Hawaiian Shirt was the Palaka Shirt and the Kimono-cloth shirt. The Palaka is a short sleeved shirt with bright geometric line patterns that were widely worn by plantation workers. It has a plaid design, and resembles a checkerboard. Also popular during that time were short-sleeved shirts sewn by Japanese housekeepers and made out of leftover Kimono cloth, designed for Japanese boys and men.

Many attribute the invention of the Aloha Shirt to Ellery Chun, owner of a Dry Goods store in Honolulu who sold the tropical print fashions in the 1930s. However what we now know is that the "Hawaiian Shirt" had already been in circulation for numerous years, although Mr. Chun had a major role in the Hawaiian Shirt's proliferation. Ellery Chun was born in Hawaii in 1909. He graduated from Yale University with a degree in Economics in 1931, in the midst of the Great Depression and then returned to Hawaii to take over his Father's dry goods store in Downtown Honolulu. In an attempt to build business during the Depression, Chun expanded the scope of the store to appeal to a wider audience beyond the Chinese community it primarily served. He and his sister Ethel Chun Lum, began selling bright print short sleeve shirts made out of the leftover material from Japanese Kimonos. He also renamed the store King-Smith Clothiers. Some of the original Hawaiian prints sold by Chun included designs with Palm Trees, Hula Girls, and Pineapples. One of his tailors would make about 3 or 4 dozen at a time.

At the same time  a business named "Musa-Shiya the Shirtmaker" was also making shirts from Japanese Kimono fabric. Musa-Shiya the Shirt Maker eventually evolved into "Musashiya", a fabric store that is still in business today at Honolulu's Ala Moana Shopping Center. The business advertised its "Aloha" shirts with a starting price of 95 cents per shirt!

Local Hawaii residents, and Waikiki beachboys and surfers quickly noticed the shirts and began buying them in ever-increasing numbers. Over time, tourists, Hollywood movie stars, and other rich and famous visitors to Hawaii also began noticing the bright, casual, easy to wear styles, and began bringing styles home to the U.S. mainland. After his success with the shirts in the early 1930's, Mr. Chun, trademarked the term "Aloha Shirt" in 1936. He continued selling his Aloha Shirts, and widely expanded his line, with his sister Ethel designing the fabrics and shirt styles. It was during this period that Ethel Chun Lum began creating the bright tropical fabric patterns that were based more on Hawaiian designs rather than Asian styles. Ellery Chun passed away on May 16, 2000 in Honolulu at the age of 91. Although he may not have invented the garment, he certainly popularized it, helped establish a staple Hawaiian industry, and helped assure the Hawaiian Shirt an enduring place in fashion history.

By the 1950's, the Hawaiian Shirt had blazed into prominence. In August 1959 Hawaii became the 50th State of the U.S.A., bringing the new “Aloha State” even more attention, and most significantly, even more tourists! The cover of Life Magazine, dated December 10, 1951, featured a beaming President Harry Truman wearing a Hawaiian shirt for a story entitled “The President of the United States - Evolution of a Wardrobe.”

Hawaiian shirts also began receiving high exposure in Hollywood movies, and a succession of popular Hawaii-based TV-Series through the late 1950's, 1960's, 1970's and 1980's. 

Today the Hawaiian shirt remains a firm favourite with fans of Tiki Lifestyle and should be worn loud and proud.