Waikīkī Wrap Up: Q&A with Deena Tearney of UMEE Honolulu
Tuesday, December 13th, 2011
IT'S A WRAP! | Designer Deena Tearney, warmly wrapped in a handmade scarf from her mother, is ready for holiday travels.
Smartly chic, Deena Tearney is the up-and-coming island taste-maker behind UMEE Honolulu, now available at Therapy at Kahala Mall and The Kahala Hotel and Resort (a perfect stop après lunch at Plumeria Beach House). Before Deena jetted off for the holidays, the Waikīkī resident took the time to answer a few questions for Kaila Hawai‘i as we bring 2011 to a close.
What do you love most about the holiday season?
To me, the Christmas Spirit is what makes this the most wonderful time of the year. When people smile more, share holiday greetings to passing strangers, and help each other out in small ways, there is an overall feeling of cheer in the air. It’s the best.
You’ve lived in a few different places—not to mention that you travel quite a bit. How is it for you spending the season in the tropics?
It doesn’t exactly feel like the Holidays in the traditional sense, but O‘ahu has a lot to offer. We have a bit of a Holiday routine: We listen to “Mele Kalikimaka” about a thousand times, visit all the Christmas trees in the Waikīkī hotels, request Christmas songs at Lewers Lounge, and check out Honolulu City Lights. Then, we head off to Kentucky and spend Christmas with my husband’s family on their horse farm, hoping for a white Christmas. We are truly blessed.
LOVE IN | UMEE Honolulu's From Hawaii with Love Tee
Speaking of living in the islands, what’s so refreshing about UMEE Honolulu is that it’s is at once island-inspired but cosmopolitan—making it perfect for a Sunday stroll or a weekend jaunt to the West Coast. Which of your pieces would recommend as a gift for that sophisticated island girl who likes to get up and go?
Our new “from Hawaii with love” tee is a really great gift for all those sophisticated gals on your Christmas list. For my city look in San Francisco, I wear it under a blazer with a long necklace and pants. When I’m back on the island, it’s super cute with a denim mini or shorts. I’m also really digging our kimono headbands and think they make unique and stylish gifts or stocking stuffers. There is nothing quite like this accessory.
SIMPLE CHIC | UMEE Honolulu's Kimono Headband
I know you like to pair your favorite UMEE items with pieces from other collections. Since New Year’s is right around the corner, which UMEE piece would you wear for New Year’s Eve and how you would you dress it up for the big night out?
Our black silk strapless dress is my Holiday must-have. It’s a great dress to style for Holiday parties or New Year’s celebrations and is a perfect way to compliment all the amazing accessory options this season – lace tights, fur bag, fur scarf… Can you say “wow?!” This season, I’ll be doing something special and wearing mine with a sparkly white lace knit scarf my Mom made for me.
NEW LOOK | UMEE Honolulu's sleeveless black dress
And how do you plan on ringing in the New Year? Any special wishes or resolutions as we go into 2012?
We are in the middle of purchasing a condo, so we’ll be back on the island for New Year’s. I hope to be welcoming 2012 sipping champagne in our new condo, thick firework smoke outside (it shouldn’t be there but we know it will be!), and surrounded by boxes.
As for 2012, I’m super excited about the launch of our next collection and all the friends we’ll make along the way.
HOLIDAY PICKS FROM UMEE HONOLULU
‘from Hawaii with love’ tee, $23
Kimono headbands, $12
Black silk strapless dress
Available online at UMEE Honolulu. Pieces from UMEE’s current collection are also available at Therapy and The Kahala Hotel and Resort.
Tags: Deena Tearney, UMEE Honolulu, Waikīkī
