Author Archives: The Tiki Chick

Polynesia Greetings Dress at Anthropologie

Posted by The Tiki Chick in Objets de Tiki and tagged with , , ,

I have to say that Anthropologie, while one of my favorite places to spend my dough, is probably the last place I expected to find anything related to tiki.

Their stores are impeccably styled and look like the most elegant and bohemian pied-à-terre in Paris one could imagine. I would like to just pack a bag and move in one day.

They offer overpriced vintage-esque fashions and furniture…and I shamelessly love it all. Mostly I scour the sale section where there are usually some great bargains to be found.

Last week I was at The Grove on the hunt for this lovely little number, when I took a quick look through the discount racks and discovered the Polynesia Greetings dress.

Upon closer inspection, I noticed it had a really interesting print of compasses, coral, sea turtles, fish, palm trees, mandolins and even the Kon-Tiki raft and the iconic image from its sail. (Thor Heyerdahl’s books about his voyages, along with “South Pacific,” contributed to the mid-century tiki trend.)

I dig it because it’s tiki, but not in your typical hibiscus-patterned Aloha wear way.

Wacko – Los Angeles, CA

Posted by The Tiki Chick in Shag, Tiki Sites and Stores and tagged with , , , ,

Wacko is a kitschy wonderland of a retail space that also encompasses La Luz de Jesus gallery, which I featured in my previous post.

The store is stocked with pop-culture paraphernalia like retro toys, posters, stickers, and Fluff stuff, not to mention tons of art books and other interesting tomes. Prepare to take your time browsing!

There’s sure to be something to suit everyone’s twisted tastes, but of course I made a beeline for the tiki-themed enclave.

There were dashboard hula dancers, tiki figurines and mugs galore, including some of Tiki Farm‘s most recent designs.

And then there were these tiki candles in the incense section against the wall.

Owner Billy Shire is big in the low-brow art scene, so it wasn’t too surprising to stumble upon a stash of Shag prints, including some rarities.

Wacko/Soap Plant
4633 Hollywood Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90027
323-663-0122

Everything but the Kitsch ‘N Sync at La Luz de Jesus

Posted by The Tiki Chick in Events and tagged with , , ,

Back in March, La Luz de Jesus gallery in the back of Soap Plant/Wacko in Silver Lake hosted the 13th annual “Everything but the Kitsch ‘N Sync” art show.

The exhibition is not really tied to a theme in particular, but there were some tiki-influenced artists thrown into the mix. Plus you could sit back and take in the art on this Ku bench that’s kind of obscured in my photo.

Surfer/artist/animator Miles Thompson had some beautiful submissions in the show, including “The Harmony in 3s” above. (And according to this interview in Liquid Salt, he’s also a fan of The Palace Grill in Santa Barbara, so he’s definitely ok in my book!) I’m looking forward to seeing his Munktiki mug collaboration at the Tiki-Ti’s 50th anniversary shindig.

Black velvet paintings are the preferred medium for the amazing Heather Watts. (I hope to own one of her works someday.) This piece, “The Decision,” demonstrates her ethereal style.

Hawaii-based artist Brad Parker merged the classic Universal movie monsters with tiki style in this series of four paintings collectively called “Monsters on Vacation.” Apparently looking for a change of scenery from The Black Lagoon here is “The Kreature from Kona.”

I just had to post another for good measure, and because I like them so much. “Dracula Drinks…A Mai Tai” is another example of the eye-popping colors and intense detail characteristic of his paintings and prints.