While we love that sustainability is trendy now, we’ve prioritized it since before it was cool. Decades ago, we founded Wings Hawaii on a mission to upcycle vintage treasures into new pieces of art, and to create original pieces using eco-friendly materials and methods. From repurposing vintage fabrics, to ethically sourcing our shells and recycled metals, to reusing every extra scrap we can, we live and breathe eco-consciousness in all aspects of Wings.
Our Commitment to Sustainable Fashion in Maui
As our handcrafted jewelry, clothing, and dishware makes its way from our Haiku makers’ studio into our Paia boutique shop, we ensure our processes are rooted in intention, artistry, and deep respect for our island home.
Everything we make is designed with intention and handcrafted in small batches on Maui. By shopping at Wings Hawaii, you can be assured you’re supporting a small, women-owned and operated local Maui business that prioritizes sustainability and ethical craftsmanship. Here’s a few examples of how we do it.
Wings Hawaii’s Sustainable Fashion: Upcycling Vintage Gems
Sustainable fashion is at the core of what we do. Reducing textile waste and keeping materials out of Maui landfills is a main goal behind our makers’ process. By choosing vintage over mass-produced materials, we actively reduce our footprint and offer an alternative to fast fashion.
“Part of my job is sourcing some of the materials we work with. Clothing items like flannels, jeans, and jackets are found second-hand and turned into the treasured one-of-a-kind items that Wings is known for. I like to say that we breathe new life into existing items and make them fun and exciting again. Now we have the fancy term “upcycling,” but we’ve been doing this much longer than that’s been a catch phrase.” –Melody, Wings founder and maker
Melody and Sam (and the entire Wings team, tbh) are thrifting enthusiasts who have a knack for scoring awesome finds. While it’s hard not to keep them for ourselves (okay, sometimes we do) our greatest gems are those transformed into our signature Boyfriend Flannels, Sun Pocket Jeans, and Army Jackets, to name a few.
We love rescuing these garments that may have been headed for Maui landfills. Instead, our talented seamstresses give them new life with their collages made from vintage aloha fabric (also thrifted and upcycled). This slow-fashion approach allows us to create one-of-a-kind designs that honor both artistic craftsmanship and the environment.
Small batch production, handmade in Maui and Bali
Not all of our clothing is vintage; Wings Hawaii also designs and makes new clothing, most of which is proudly handmade on Maui in limited quantities, using natural fibers, organic materials, and non-toxic inks. Our screen-printing is also all done by hand, here in our Haiku studio. By producing in small batches, we reduce waste, maintain high quality standards, and ensure each item remains unique and “one of a kine.”
We have also grown and branched out to having some of our sewing done in Bali. We intentionally chose a small sewing team, owned and operated by Indonesian women (as opposed to using a large, Australian-owned factory).
“We do not make much waste, and save nearly all of our scraps to use them for different things in the sewing room. By sampling and sewing size runs of clothing in-house, we are able to make what we need, and not too much.” – CJ, Wings Hawaii Seamstress
“We save all our scraps from everything! We have used them to create smaller pieces of clothing, especially the barkcloth that we use for collages. We save it all, and have used the tiniest pieces to create the perfect pop of color in another piece! I also help source things when I travel, (flannels, vintage doilies, linens, and dishes) and some of these items were bound for the landfill. It fills up my cup knowing they are going to be given a new life!” –Bridget, Wings Hawaii seamstress
Wings Hawaii’s eco-friendly jewelry: recycled, handmade, and ethically-sourced
You often hear about fast fashion, but fast jewelry is just as bad: the cheap, disposable stuff that degrades quickly and ends up in the trash. At Wings Hawaii, we make all our jewelry using sustainable practices. This means using recycled metals, ethically sourcing our gemstones and shells, hand-crafting in small batches, and recycling any scrap materials we may have.
Each piece of Wings Hawaii jewelry, from our signature Hawaiian shell jewelry to our fine 14k jewelry, is designed and handcrafted by our jewelers in small batches, ensuring quality, original artistry, and attention to detail. We proudly work with only the highest-quality materials to create heirloom-worthy pieces. Our customers know and trust our jewelry will last for years and years.
By choosing Wings Hawaii jewelry, you’re investing in a handcrafted, one-of-a-kind piece created with sustainable methods in Maui. You’ll treasure it for a lifetime.
Vintage dishware, upcycled with a modern mermaid twist
Another way we keep materials out of Maui landfills is by “rescuing” vintage dishware that may have been headed for the trash. We adore finding these vintage gems and giving them new life with an artsy twist. Our signature dishware features original Wings artwork that we fire on as a permanent overglaze, like our hand-drawn mermaids, sea life, coastal themes, and even skulls and skeletons for our edgier moods. Like we always say, it’s like your Nana’s dish, but better!
“I adore that we are giving old pieces new life. Sourcing these epic pieces of discarded China that are not as revered or used as often as they once were, and using them as a canvas for an art piece, and giving people a modern way to appreciate them, is so fun for me.” –Sam, Wings Hawaii Founder and Lead Designer
“I source a lot of our dishware from people cleaning out mom's or grandma's old dishes, as well as from dusty shelves in thrift stores and antique malls. I feel the sentimental value in the pieces I collect, and can say with all sincerity that every single piece will be loved and cherished in its new life.” –Melody, Wings Hawaii Founder and Maker
Sustainable, eco-friendly, handmade gifts from our Paia boutique
We love creating original Maui-inspired jewelry and meaningful island gifts that go beyond typical souvenirs. Each piece is an original design, inspired by Maui life and made by Maui artisans, making it perfect for gifting, or as a meaningful memento from your Hawaii travels.
A few of our favorite handmade Maui gifts and souvenirs: Hawaiian shell jewelry, shell keychains, Wings signature ti leaf bangles, handpainted jewelry boxes, and everything in our new Charm Bar.
And there's so much more to discover in store. Visit our Paia boutique to shop our full line of sustainable island-inspired clothing, handmade Maui jewelry, upcycled mermaid dishware, unique Hawaii home goods, baby and kids gifts, organic Hawaiian beauty products, local art, and Maui gifts created with care, intention, and aloha. Shop online at www.wingshawaii.com
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