PHOTO BY TARA ROCK
It’s hard to believe that Las Olitas (lasolitas.com) was only launched last year, as the neon-colored neoprene bag line has been picked up by the buzziest boutiques and fashionistas the islands over. Designer Mariana Echegoien hails from Spain, studied fashion in Paris, and landed on O‘ahu at the age of 21. Walks around her Waikīkī neighborhood and surfing at Queens inspired the retro hibiscus prints and photos of the Waikīkī skyline in a riot of colors in her fun, fashionable take on Hawaiiana. “I’ve always designed bags just because we all need them, no matter the size we are,” says Echegoien. Why neoprene? “I wanted to create a bag that had weight and could stand on its own, and that is different in all the possible ways,” she says. “Not only that, it’s so durable, can get wet, washable, and just so easy to maintain.” What started as a line of neoprene handbags, cross-body pouches, and totes soon expanded to pareos, bucket hats, and canvas bags. With endless color and print combinations, picking just one is impossible.
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