Here's a little collage from my latest trip to Maui. It's no secret this place has become like a second home to me.. I can give you guys 10Million reasons why this place is so magical but the number one reason, to me, is the people. Maui is home to so many talented artists and designers and I feel so fortunate to have collaborated and become dear friends with many of them. My go to photographer, Frank Berthout, who is responsible for the majority of my images, is one of those people. He has an eye for photography like I've never seen.. And to be honest, when we first met (yeaarrrs ago) it was because I was really just a HUGE fan of his work. At that time he was only shooting underwater photography but when I noticed one of his photos (of a whale) in a coffee shop, I knew I had to get in touch with him.. So I reached out and we decided to do a test shoot. It was his first time shooting a model and my first time shooting underwater.. We were both completely out of our elements but decided to just wing it and we somehow created the most beautiful images. And since that day we've collaborated on numerous campaigns together and continue to do so.
Also, most of the jewelry you'll see me wearing is made by my very good friend and local designer, Olia. She draws her inspiration from the raw elements of the island and seamlessly mixes natural stones with black lava rock, wood, pyrite and sometimes even bone. No matter where I am in the world, I always make sure and bring a few of Olia's custom made pieces with me, that way I always carry a little bit of Maui and my friends with my everywhere I go..
