Olena Kai Swimwear
Having grown up in Hawaii, Inbar Maor is active in water sports and loves going to Sandy Beach. But she didn’t like constantly adjusting her bikini, both in and out of the water. So, she took matters into her own hands and started her own line of swimwear called Olena Kai. “I decided to try my hand at sewing the perfect swimwear for my lifestyle,” says Maor, a graduate of the University of Hawaii Apparel Product Design & Merchandising program. “I taught myself for a couple of months, tested the samples at Sandy’s and now I can say that I am no longer adjusting any part of my suit every couple of seconds!”
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A graduate of Kaiser High School, Maor worked for her family’s wholesale business, Unity Trading & Imports, a distributor of women’s beachwear sold throughout the Islands. Now 26, Maor has found her passion as a designer, seamstress and business owner, as well as photographer. Each piece of her swimwear is hand sewn, fully lined and includes a top-stitching detail in contrasting thread. “Olena Kai was created for women who love the water and want to accentuate their bodies with swimwear that is comfortable, complimenting, stylish, versatile and reliable,” she says. “We also offer a wider range of sizing than most brands because we understand that each woman is a unique work of art — meaning, no body is exactly the same as the next! So why not offer a number of different cuts to stylishly cover women of all shapes and sizes? Also, when visiting our online shop, customers have the option of creating any style in their own color combo. Every woman loves knowing that her suit is exclusive, and that is what Olena Kai offers.” Olena Kai launched last June, and can be found at olenakai.etsy.com.
For more information, visit Olena Kai on Facebook and Instagram @olenakai.
photos by Nathalie Walker// page design by Kamele Eskaran
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- Pomai Matsuura-Koa: Olena Kai ‘Milolii’ triangle top in two-tone sky blue and black $52 and ‘Wainohia’ tie side bottom in sky blue $52
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- Kristin Jardini: Olena Kai ‘Kuliouou top’ in black with blue Hawaii jungle halter strap $52 and ‘Wainohia’ tie-side bottom in black $52
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- Pomai Matsuura-Koa: Olena Kai ‘Paiko’ bandeau in white $52
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- Inbar Maor: Olena Kai ‘Elelupe’ triangle top in sky $52 and ‘Lumahai’ bottom in lilac $52
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- Pomai Matsuura-Koa: Olena Kai ‘Kanewai’ triangle top in purple $52 and ‘Kalalau’ bottom in pink $52
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- Inbar Maor: Olena Kai ‘Paiko’ bandeau in red $52 and ‘Kawaihae’ bottom in purple $52
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- Kristin Jardini: Olena Kai ‘Pakala’ top in lilac with white straps $52 and ‘Kawaihae’ bottom in white $52
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- Inbar Maor: Olena Kai ‘Lawai’ top in blue Hawaii jungle $52 and ‘Kalama’ tie-side bottom in blue Hawaii jungle $52
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- Kristin Jardini: Olena Kai ‘Kanewai’ triangle top in pink $52 and ‘Lumahai’ bottom in sky blue $52
