When you think of Body Glove, you immediately think Missouri, right? Although the South Bay region of Los Angeles is actually considered the home of Body Glove, the long story of the company actually traces back to a farm near Booneville, Missouri - a long way from their eventual home along the Pacific. It was there that founders Bob and Bill Meistrell taught themselves to swim and by age twelve had used their imaginations to rig a makeshift diving bell out of a wooden crate and descend into the depth of the farm pond. This love for the water eventually lured the brothers to Manhattan Beach as teenagers in the 1940’s.
Bob and Bill instantly took to the ocean, joining other pioneers of California surfing including the legendary Dale Velzy and Greg Noll to form the Manhattan Beach Surf Club. Cementing their credentials as true watermen, Bob and Bill became L.A. County Lifeguards, then scuba divers, then vital participants in the First Los Angeles County Underwater Instructors Course (1UICC) - Joining the first group in the world to become certified scuba instructors. Together, they borrowed $1,800 and bought out Hap Jacobs to become partners with Bev Morgan in 1953 and develop Dive N’ Surf into southern California’s premiere retail store dedicated to surfing and diving while continuing to sur every day, lifeguard, and operate a commercial diving business. They eventually went on to expand the business to offer full lines of surfing and diving equipment, classes and apparel at multiple locations and thereby create a southern California retail institution.
Like modern day Einsteins for the ocean, the twins used their creativity and found a new insulating material called Neoprene and invented the first practical wetsuit, opening the cold California waters to year round enjoyment for surfers and divers, including early giants of surfing like Greg Noll, Mickey Munoz and many more. The suit “fit like a glove” and Body Glove was born. The Meistrells hired a marketing consultant, Duke Boyd. Duke asked about the characteristics of the suits and Billy said, “They fit like a glove.” And so Body Glove was born.
Echo is as diverse in its color palette and patterns as it is rich in its family heritage and history. Since 1923, Echo has focused on the principles of creativity, service, innovation and quality established by its founders, Edgar and Theresa Hyman. Initially a scarf company, Echo has built on the Hymans’ early vision of creating beautiful products that enrich our lives in ways they could never have imagined.In 1923, Echo was the first brand name ever printed on a scarf. Today, Echo continues to push boundaries in print, pattern, color and design. At the same time, Echo maintains the company values that have enabled thier success. Treating all people with respect, whether they are customers or employees, has been, and always will be, one of Echo’s top priorities. This fusion of beautiful design and strong family values has earned Echo loyal customers, long-term partners, and life-long employees. They are all part of an Echo family, one that was formed over 85 years ago and is united by a passion for the aesthetic joys of life. Edgar and Theresa could not have predicted how Echo would look after 85 years, but the people at Echo are confident they would be proud.
Indie Swimwear made by Pamela Levenson from the epicenter of all that is indie Portland, Oregon. Yes independent design has flourished in Portland the last three years Project Runway winners have come from Portland, Oregon. Pamela’s story is a common Indie Designer story. Pamela started selling her suits in 2000 on consignment to local Portland boutiques. Slowly she worked up the nerve to open a 250 sq. ft. storefront on NE 42nd Avenue and Alberta the famed independent shopping district of Portland. Two years later when a neighbor moved out Pamela talked her conservative Dentist landlord into allowing her to expand her space to 950 sq. ft. This past year Pamela opened the largest women’s swimwear store in the Pacific Northwest in Portland’s trendy Pearl District.
Some look at Pamela’s styles as Retro, Vintage inspired Swimwear, others see Rockabilly Bikinis. Here are a few styles to check out, go to PopinaSwim.com to check out the whole site.
Born in Youngstown, Ohio, Nanette Lepore produced her first couture look at the tender age of nine outfitting a neighbor in a floral bedspread, beaded choker and face paint. The girl posed in the family’s front yard behind a hand-lettered sign declaring Lepore, and thus began Nanette’s lifelong interest in fashion.
Sensing young Nanette’s entrepreneurial talent, her parents encouraged her creativity. After all, artistic innovation flourished naturally in a household headed by an abstract painter-father and a fabulously stylish mother of four. Road tripping on Route 66 with her bohemian parents each summer instilled in Nanette a free spirit and a taste for travel.After completing her undergraduate studies at Youngstown University, she packed her bags and headed east to New York City’s venerable Fashion Institute of Technology. She aced her degree in design, married painter Robert Savage and set out to pay her dues in design studios around town. However, Nanette knew she wouldn’t be satisfied until her creations bore her own name. In 1992, bolstered by a $5,000 loan from her dad to strike out on her own, Nanette set up shop in a penthouse office in the garment district. It quickly became an incubator for poets and painters who would bounce ideas off one another while stargazing on the roof.Nanette designs in her atelier in New York City alongside her husband, Robert, who helms the business side of the worldwide brand as its President. Nanette enjoys a strong following among editors, style-makers and celebrities including Freida Pinto, Sharon Stone, Blake Lively, Leighton Meester, Eva Longoria Parker, Scarlett Johansson, Taylor Swift, Miley Cyrus, and Abigail Breslin.
Nanette resides in Manhattan’s West Village with her husband and daughter, Violet, age twelve.
OKA b flip flops are an awesome line of spa sandal / flip flops which are a great addition to holiday ensemble. Popina offers OKA b flip flops in both the Northeast and Downtown Portland | Pearl District boutiques.
Where The Spa Meets the Street…OKA b. is founded on the principle that fashion and comfort should never be mutually exclusive. Imagine a shoe that not only looks great with every outfit but feels great with every step. A sandal given the thumbs up by your doctor andyour best friend. A slide that matches your wedding gown and massages your feet as you dance down the aisle. A flip-flop so stylish it’s featured in fashion magazines. A shoe that’s 100% recyclable, waterproof, made in the USA and priced under $40.
That’s not only a shoe you’ll love. That’s a shoe that loves you.
Our Humble Beginnings…OKA b. began with two basic styles - a slide and a thong, designed to feel like a spa shoe by integrating the principles of reflexology and ergonomics. Today the line has expanded to include dozens of styles and colors adorned with natural seashell, gemstones and ribbon, without compromising on comfort. Massage beads pamper the foot and promote good posture. OKA b.s are also crafted using a single piece of proprietary Microplast® material and are antimicrobial, waterproof and washable. Each season OKA b. designers adapt runway trends to introduce new designs to the collection. From summer brights to subdued fall tones, bridal collections to the casual weekend flop, there’s an OKA b. sandal for every look and for every occasion. These features make them a hit in upscale resorts, spas, hotels and fine gift shops around the world.
OKA b. Shoe and Sandal Information
Everyone knows OKA b. shoes are cute and comfortable, but they are so much more than just a pretty accessory. Here are a few things you may not have known about OKA b. products that set them apart from other comfort shoes in the market:
Reflexology-Inspired DesignThe therapeutic principles of reflexology guide the design of OKA b. products. All of our shoes feature an ergonomic footbed enhanced with massage beads to pamper feet with every step.
Antimicrobial & Odor Resistant OKA b.’s non–absorbent material resists the growth of mildew, fungus and bacteria. A great feature for spas and resorts!
Non-Slip & Non-Marking OKA b. shoes are slip-resistant, providing stability on wet or dry terrain. Our colorful shoes won’t leave marks on the floor.
Microplast® Technology Proprietary Microplast® technology provides a lightweight, flexible shoe that remains comfortable and durable. Microplast’s chemical make up is Poly Vinyl Chloride which is actually made fromsalt and fossil fuel.
Machine Washable & Colorfast OKA b.’s non-absorbent material makes our shoes machine washable and easy to sanitize. Keep your feet clean and healthy - your OKA b.s will resist fading even through repeated washings.
One-Piece Construction All OKA b. shoes, including thongs, feature one–piece construction for superior durability and comfort.
Endless Color CombinationsOKA b. offers a diverse color palette and style selection that allows you to create the perfect fit for your retail environment.
Made in the U.S.A. The OKA b. design team and factory are located north of metro Atlanta in Buford, Georgia. On–site manufacturing allows for unmatched quality control and attention to detail.
Vegan FriendlyvOur processes are friendly not only to our environment but to its natural inhabitants as well. OKA b. does not use animal by-products of any kind in the manufacturing process.
Environmentally ConsciousOKA b. shoes are recyclable according to International Universal Recycling Code Number 3. Customers can now send their well–loved shoes to our corporate headquarters, where they will be ground and mixed with virgin material to create new product. To learn more about this program, click here.
Swim Systems Swimwear is available in the Swimwear Downtown Portland Boutique and the NE Portland Swimsuit Boutique.The designer of Swim Systems Swimwear is Amanda Stratt. “I am enthusiastic about my new collection. Swim Systems offers many elements of contemporary style.”Amanda Stratt is a graduate from The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in San Francisco. She has contributed her timeless designs to the swimwear industry since 2001. She has designed for established swimwear labels such as Ralph Lauren, Nautica, Oscar de la Renta, Lands’ End and Lilly Pulitzer.Amanda loves shopping, live music, traveling, hot tea, spending time with loved ones and all things creative.Here are a few examples from the Swim Systems 2011 collection:
Sunsets Swimwear is available in the Swimwear Downtown Portland Boutique and the NE Portland Swimsuit Boutique.Sunset Swimwear’s designer Kathy Tanaka’s timeless designs have been the driving force behind Sunset’s success for over ten years. She is a graduate from the Fashion Institute of New York and the University of Wisconsin. As a child her inspiration was her mother. During college some of Kathy’s favorite memories were designing “over the top” outfits to wear out in NYC. Kathy lives in Laguna Beach with her loving husband and two beautiful boys.Kathy’s favorite color is blue and she loves eating tacos and guacamole while preferably wearing something vintage. Her fabulous past times consist of spending time with her family and friends, beaching, gardening and chasing her two favorite boys… Mikey and Josh. Kathy is a woman of Faith and loves to bless others. Oh yes, let’s not forget, she loves cowboy boots and ponies.Here are a few looks from the Sunsets 2011 collection:
Havaianas Flip Flops, a Brazilian brand began making Rubber Flip Flops in in 1962 in São Paulo Alpargatas, Brazil. Havaianas began to produce a sandal based on the design of the Japanese flip flop, called the zori. However, instead of using straw to make them, they used rubber, which made a very comfortable and durable sandal. In the 1960s, Havaianas were sold at small, neighborhood stores for a low price, and were purchased exclusively by the lower classes. For this reason, Havaianas were known as “chinelos de pobre” (poor man’s flip flops) during this period.
It wasn’t until 1994 that Havaianas became a success with the middle and upper classes in Brazil. Some Brazilians say it is because foreign tourists began buying the brand, but it was also because of a change in design. In this year, the company released a new line of monochromatic sandals and by 1996, Havaianas had truly become a national brand, reaching new consumers all over the country. Two years later, the brand released a special edition flip flop, Havaianas Brazil, in honor of the World Cup. The small Brazilian flag logo would be Havaianas’ new trademark.By 2000, the brand became a hit with celebrities and models, and the following year Havaianas began exporting their flip flops. Now wildly popular from the US to Australia, Havaianas have been featured in important retail stores, high end fashion shows, and even the Oscars. There are now nearly twenty different lines of Havaianas for men, women, children and babies, and an estimated 160 million flip flops are sold every year.
Gottex Swimwear, a Jewish brand, is based in Tel Aviv, Israel and was established 1949. Gottex has always been looked to provide a classic look while still looking to be fashion forward. The Israeli influance comes through in the design, with a distinctively international flavor. Gottex Swimwear is one of the most recognized worldwide brands.
