I grew up traveling throughout Asia sourcing for my parents stores. We would go to places like India and Bali and I would design Jewelry and accessories.  Spending my childhood surrounded by textiles colors and fabrics led me to study fashion design and jewelry at CCA in San Francisco. After college I met my husband, a fellow traveler and photographer and we moved to Maui Hawaii. In 2005 we opened our shop indigo Paia on the north shore of Maui in a little town called Paia. On our travels  we designed jewelry, home furnishings, bedding and accessories.

I was restless to design and create more, in 2008 (2 kids and a successful store later) we walled in the carport and build the studio. When it was finished my husband was getting ready to head to India so I hurried to make a small collection of clothing which we would produce there. I knew it would be a while till we went again and I got to create another collection.

I wanted to be in the studio designing and sewing all day. My friends kept asking me when I would start designing bikinis and, after getting a full length dress form I did.
I love designing and making swimwear it comes easy to me and is like sketching for a painter. It is limiting in materials and shapes and there is a freedom in that. Also because of the amount of material and time it takes it is profitable for me to sew which lets me sew on a daily basis which I love.

Being in Hawaii I'm surrounded by ocean, beaches and the culture of bikinis that go with it.In Maui you see women of all shapes and sizes wearing bikinis on the beach with confidence and beauty. Designing bikinis has let me work with women of all shapes and sizes and to learn how different patterns work on different shapes. I love making women feel beautiful and sexy no matter the age or size.

Designing clothing fulfills a different design need. I love the contrast from working with tight knits in swimwear to working with wovens. I have always loved the Indian cotton voiles (for the first collection I cut up duvets from the store to make mockups) that we have used in our bedding and am inspired by the amazing prints and weights they are a perfect marriage to the easy topical lifestyle. I make resort wear for everyday. Dresses meant to throw over a bikini then wear out to dinner.

India has some of the world's most amazing textiles. I design knowing that the right fabric is out there but not what it will be until I see it. I create a line of clothing and take it to India where I source the best fabric for the collection. It is a chaotic, fun and exhausting process that is thrilling and very fulfilling.

I love the balance of day to day sewing and designing swimwear to the overwhelming rush of designing a collection (it is always rushed) and dealing with the chaotic but inspiring craziness that is India in order to get it produced. I find a perfect balance in this as well as raising my two children, tending shop, cooking, and all the other things that keep my hands busy on a daily basis.