When you think of Hawaiian shirts, the first thing that comes to mind is probably "REYN SPOONER." Known as one of Hawaii's iconic brands, it has a significant fan base among collectors and vintage enthusiasts.
Today, we spoke with Daigo Shindo from the Business Development Department at M.S.T., Inc. to learn about the history of REYN SPOONER and introduce must-have items for first-time buyers.
A Meeting Between Reyn & Spooner
"In the mid-1950s, there was a custom-made swimwear stand in Waikiki where Ruth Spooner made high-quality swimwear renowned for its unique sewing."Meanwhile, Reyn McCullough, who ran a men's clothing store 'Reyn's' in California, predicted that air travel to Hawaii would grow significantly. Taking advantage of the opening of the 'Ala Moana Center,' he decided to expand to Hawaii.
"During this time, he met Spooner, and in 1956, they started REYN SPOONER as a joint business."
REYN SPOONER's Icons: "LAHAINA SAILOR" & the Original Fabric "Spooner Kloth"
To understand REYN SPOONER, it's essential to know about their original fabric, 'Spooner Kloth.' Let's continue by introducing their iconic item, the must-have Hawaiian shirt."First, there's a design called 'LAHAINA SAILOR.' Let me share the story of this item.
"It consists of four patterns: the state flag of Hawaii, the native Hawaiian bird 'Nene,' the medicinal plant 'Kukui,' and the hibiscus flower. These are combined into one design and called LAHAINA SAILOR.
"The design name is said to be inspired by bandanas worn by sailors visiting Lahaina, Hawaii.
"It was once available in 13 colors, but now it's offered in three classic colors: navy, white, and denim (light blue)."
"Regarding details, REYN SPOONER started with pull-over types known as half-placket and the button-down collar is the most standard. Later, full-open shirts were added to the lineup, leading to the current offerings.
"This Hawaiian shirt is made with Spooner Kloth, a unique fabric of REYN SPOONER. The material is a plain weave of 55% Pima cotton and 45% polyester, with a distinctive reverse print. The rustic color scheme is exquisite, and the pocket patterns are perfectly matched."
A Masterpiece Featuring Airplanes & Diamond Head
After learning about REYN SPOONER's iconic items, let's look at other masterpieces born from this brand's long history."REYN SPOONER has many Hawaiian shirts called masterpieces, and among them, I'd like to introduce a design called 'TRANS PACIFIC 40'S.'
"It depicts a passenger plane from the Transpacific airline, which began operations in the 1940s from Honolulu to Kona on the Big Island. The design features the then-arriving passenger plane, tourists, and Diamond Head, reflecting the vibrant island atmosphere.
"Although the TRANS PACIFIC 40'S was once discontinued after reaching fans, it was revived due to its popularity. Originally made of 100% rayon, it was reissued using Spooner Kloth."
Share Article
TOP ARTICLES
RELATED ARTICLES
