Designer Profile: Alfred Shaheen

Q:  What do Elvis, Frank Sinatra, and President Truman have in common?
A:  They were all photographed in Alfred Shaheen signature Hawaiian shirts.

Alfred Shaheen was a textile industrialist credited with popularizing the Hawaiian shirt. He opened his garment business in 1948. In 1952, his business began silkscreening Polynesian and Asian designs onto silk, cotton, and rayon for creating Hawaiian shirts and other garments. According to Time Magazine, “Originally regarded as tacky souvenirs, Hawaiian shirts in Shaheen's hands were raised to the level of high fashion with artistic prints, high-grade materials and quality construction.”

Noelle M.K.Y. Kahanu, director of community affairs for the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum in Honolulu told the Los Angeles Times: "He traveled his team of 'Shaheen craftsmen' around the globe in search of inspiration, and they found it in Japanese lanterns and Tahitian flowers, in Hawaiian bark cloth and Chinese incense sticks. He opened the eyes of the world to beauty beyond their horizons." 

Add a piece of American history and whimsy with these pillows made from vintage Alfred Shaheen fabric. The vibrant colors and floral and Asian-inspired patterns are timeless and will add a pop of color to any room in your house.

Like our Facebook page and shop on Hayneedle or Merchanstyle to snag these special Alfred Shaheen pillows available from Merchanstyle.