The governor appears to be ready for his closeup in a shirt from Rix Island Wear. It makes sense that Hawaii's first man got the first shirt from Rick Ralston's newest venture.
Rix Island Wear quietly opened its doors at Ward Warehouse Nov. 5 with a morning blessing, with no less than newly elected Gov. Neil Abercrombie in attendance. Few boutiques can wrangle such an appearance but the "Rix" in this case happens to be Crazy Shirts founder Rick Ralston, a guy who's just as well known as the governor.
In fact, the two have been friends since Ralston got his start, airbrushing T-shirts and sweatshirts at Waikiki Beach in the 1960s. Abercrombie said that's where they met, and he ended up picking up a lot of Ralston's shirts because he liked the artwork and, "they were cheap, like $5."
How much would those original works of wearable art be worth now?
Coincidentally, just before opening, the company got a call from Herbert Awaya, of Manoa, who has owned one of Ralston's sweatshirts since 1962, with the image of a surfer. It was signed "Ricky 1962," and Awaya had the opportunity to present it to Ralston on Nov. 2. It'll be framed and put on display in the store, along with some other memorabilia.
Ralston retired in 2000, but now, at 69, apparently couldn't stay away from fashion. The new store marks a change of direction to a contemporary men's aloha shirt line.
The boutique is in the middle of the shopping center, mauka side, where Alliway used to be.
Rick Ralston with Rix Island Wear's director of operations Richelle Kim.
Rix designer Marcie Norton with one of her nieces.
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