Tiki Fashion ... a lovely state of mind!

 "Of  all life's pleasures deeply drink. 

At every worry give a wink.

It's Much Much later than you think." 

The Beachcomber's Creed according to Don Beach

And so it was,  in 1934 when a young Ernest Raymond Beaumont-Gantt opened the first Polynesian themed restaurant.  The Tiki culture was born.  Gantt who later legally changed his name to Don Beach; opened "Don the Beachcomber;" a restaurant that specialized in Cantonese cuisine and exotic rum punches, with a tropical decor.  Beach was the first restaurateur to mix flavored syrups and fresh fruit juices with rum. The drinks called Rhum Rhapsodies  made Don the Beachcomber's a hot spot for Hollywood's elite. Some of the most memorable exotic cocktails ever made, such as the Scorpion and the Zombie were created by Beach.  Don the Beachcomber's is credited as being the first Tiki restaurant from which all other eateries and bars "borrowed."   Trader Vic, for example was opened by Victor Bergeron in Oakland, California and  grew to become a worldwide chain. The "Mai tai" (considered to be the quintessential Tiki cocktail) was the center of a protracted feud between Don the  Beachcomber's and Trader Vic  when both claimed to have invented the Mai Tai  (the jury is still out.)

Tiki culture was also inspired when American soldiers returned home from World War II with stories, tribal tattoos, Hawaiian Shirts (thank you Alfred Sheehan) and souvenirs from the South Pacific  Considered exotic, the tropics became popular with Americans who  embraced the romanticized movie and media version of the exotic culture and the islands. During the 1950s and 1960s, with Hawaii’s indication as the 50th state and airplane travel affordable,  Tiki culture became a part of the suburban pop culture.  Tiki

bars and décor were popping up in households across America and it seemed like every man owned and flaunted his aloha shirt to show just how relaxed and ready for entertaining he was. Even today, Sponge Bob Square Pants is in a "Tiki state of mind" where it's always pleasant.  And Tom Selleick's  Magnum character's  red Hawaiian shirt is a pop culture classic

Two primary strains of  exotica emerged: Jungle and Tiki.  Jungle exotica was a Hollywood creation, with its roots in Tarzan movies and further back, to William Henry Hudson's novel Green Mansions.  Les Baxter was the king of jungle exotica, and spawned a host of imitators while opening the doors for a few more genuine artists such as Chaino (played bongos, steel drum, etc.), Thurston Knudson, and Guy Warren.  Tiki exotica was introduced with Martin Denny's Waikiki nightclub combo; jungle noises cover of Baxter's Quiet VillageQuiet Village.  Music by artists like Arthur Lyman, and Martin Denny, who blended the Tiki idea through jazz augmented with Polynesian, Asian, and Latin instruments and "tropical" themes created the Exotica genre. This music blended the elements of Afro-Cuban rhythms, unique instrumentations, green sounds, and romantic themes from Hollywood movies. Fast forward to today.  Tiki hut style bars are making a comeback for the modern outdoor living and entertaining backyard.  Modern day Tiki culture has brought the Hawaiian shirt and cool sunglasses into a higher class with well known designers  Tommy Bahamas and Panama Jack.



Green Tiki Floral Dress
at GetGoRetro.com



Tiki-themed events and conventions have begun to spring up across America—with the majority happening in Southern California. Large annual events include Tiki Oasis in San Diego; Hukilauin Fort Lauderdale and Ohana Luau at the Lake in Lake George, NY.  

So how do you dress Tiki?  Actually you don't. Although "Tiki" conjures up images of beatnik fashion styles, Smokey jazz lounges, and  tropical attire; dressing Tiki is really "a state of mind."  Someone who is in to the Tiki Culture will dress tropical or "Tiki" whether there is 6 feet of snow out their front door as easily as if it is 110 degrees outside.  It's a feeling of tropical restfulness, sun, beach, tans and happy music.  Keep in mind that there's good Tiki and bad Tiki.   Anything sleek and new; for instance, a plastic totem or plastic coconut bikini top -- is bad Tiki. Anything you can find in the luau section of your local party store --i.e.,  cheap plastic leis and cardboard cutout hula girls -- is bad Tiki.  



Tiki High Waist Swim
Get Go retro.com



But in regards to attire; Good Tiki culture speaks of a 1940's - 1960's era of nostalgia and attire that is more than just a tropical aloha shirt and flip-flops (although these are passable.)  You can mix in Asian, Hawaiian, Tongan, and other influences. The general focus for men should be on hip and chic lounge wear over beach tropical: tapered pants, and skinny ties; slicked back hair, sunglasses; a leopard print or red smoking jacket; and of course a Fez will do  Vintage cocktail and cheongsam dresses are great fashion statements as are muumuus, pedal pushers, kitten heels, sarongs and bikini tops. A fabulous Hawaiian shirt is great for both women and men.  Women should wear a flower behind the ear. Those who are romantically available should place the flower behind their right ear, but if her affections are currently occupied, she should put the flower closest to the heart, behind the left ear.  In regard to the lei, wear it draped on your front and  back. Seashell jewelry is another nice touch.

If you are looking for a Tiki festival that is coming up soon, the Hukilau Tiki festival will be held  June 9-12, 2011 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.  The Hukilau,  is a traditional Hawaiian festival held in fishing villages of old, features a large net cast into the sea where villagers herd the fish and slowly pull the net to the shore. The feast that follows emphasizes the spirit of family and community or ohana. The Hukilau is a celebration where  fans of Tiki, Retro and Pop culture from all over the world can gather for a fun filled weekend.  Lauded as the East coast’s largest Tiki and Polynesian Pop gathering, they will also be honoring the 55-year Anniversary of the historic Mai-Kai Restaurant, one of the remaining Polynesian Tiki treasures in North America.

Christie J White; Founder of the
Hukilau Festival

“The Hukilau's partnership with the Mai-Kai, the world famous Polynesian-themed restaurant, has definitely been a key to our success and has set us apart from other events,” explains The Hukilau Founder and Producer Christie J. White. “Not only do attendees have the opportunity to enjoy the weekend with other Tiki/mid-century/vintage lovers, they also have the added benefit of a classic experience at this mid-century icon — complete with an amazing floor show, tropical gardens and a vintage drink menu that features hundreds of cocktails from Tiki's history! There’s no other place like it in the

world!”

This year’s hula hoopla will include emcees King Kukulele and “Crazy” Al Evans pumping up and entertaining audiences, sampling Tiki cocktails during The Hukilau room crawl, the Harold Golen Gallery’s “Fine Art Tiki Show” and shopping galore!  Encounter a time capsule of memories and strong libations during fact-filled symposiums by mixologist and author Jeff “Beachbum” Berry and The Rum Pack, Disney artists Kevin Kidney and Jody Daily, Phillip Roberts’ “A Celebration of the Tiki Age in Hawaii,” Vintage Roadside’s Beautiful Girls that Live like Fish!: The Story of Aquarama, the World-Famous Mermaid Attraction” and Paul Roe’s “Hawaii – Sailors, Sex and the Birth of Old School Tattoos.”

The Hukilau will be providing guests with an opportunity to view a historic artifact exhibition during the festivities this year. Paying homage to the Tiki culture, remembering the past and creating everlasting bonds with fellow Tiki aficionados are important elements of the festival.  “The Hukilau has partnered with The Museum of Art Fort Lauderdale to bring the public and our attendees “A View of the South Pacific,” a collection of Oceanic Art, which features pieces donated by the owners of the Mai-Kai in the early 1970s and has rarely been seen,” says White. “The Hukilau has definitely seen growth yet remains intimate — this event is for those that want to meet new friends and spend time with those that you see each year.” 

The Hukilau 2011 is an extravaganza the kanes and wahines don’t want to miss!  And, you can wear your Tiki outfit : ) or perhaps buy some more pieces to add to your already cool collection.

Wikipedia
The Hukilau
Tiki Magazine
Konakai.com