Sew Local: connecting Hawaii to out-of-state college students and creating reminders to perpetuate local values

Overview

Sew Local aims to perpetuate local values by designing fabrics, sewing handmade lifestyle accessories, and repurposing aloha wear.

All designs are inspired by a story and local value Jazmyne, owner of Sew Local, learned during her childhood on Maui

Sew Local tailors all designs and accessories to infuse a sense of home into the hearts of any local gal, pua picker, or hunneh girl.

Our Values

  • Piko

    The origin of life is encapsulated in the navel, or piko, which serves as a powerful symbol of connection and community. Sew Local stitches reminders of a local's piko into every illustration, accessory, and craft, weaving a tangible reminder of community bonds.

  • Aloha

    Aloha is more than a mere slogan; it embodies the responsibility to  love and respect all. Sew Local is guided by the essence of Aloha. Every sketch, stitch, and spoken message reflects a deliberate decision to align with Aloha and encourage its continuation.

  • Inclusivity

    Hawaii is living proof that inclusivity fosters an optimal environment for innovation, cultural understanding, and mutual advancement. Embracing diverse perspectives, values, and facilitates formation of self-identity, cultural-identity, and a profound connection with the community.

1 3

About Jazmyne

How it started

Aloha! My name is Jazmyne, or Jaz for short, the owner of Sew Local LLC and a Maui girl through and through. I picked up sewing as a small hobby in March 2020 to cure my short-term boredom. However, as I continued to sew and jam out to my fav NIKI and Taylor Swift bops, sewing became my dose of happiness and a creative outlet. From sewing a bucket hat, to a “menu” of accessories, upcycling old clothes, and repurposing aloha wear, my simple cure for boredom grew to one of my greatest passions and small biz.

Along with sewing, another one of my passions is creative media--graphic design, videography, photography, and storytelling. In 6th grade I joined my school’s media club and was instantly hooked by the boundless creativity and initiative to create anything and everything.

My media journey ranged from interning with PBS in Arizona, competing in national and state media video contests, staying til 10pm documenting Maui High’s robotics team, designing for Native Hawaiian fashion brands, and creating random designs just for funsies; I wouldn’t have wanted my journey any other way.

Through these experiences, creative media became my vessel to make my values, thoughts, and style understandable to a vast audience.

As high school graduation became the present, the inevitable decision of either staying in Hawaii or moving away to the mainland finally arrived. It took me months to decide, but in the end, my deep-rooted values of community, diversity, and optimism guided my decision to further my education at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, where I embarked on my journey towards earning a BBA in marketing.

However, not all of my classmates made the same choice. Many of them were drawn to mainland universities by scholarships, job opportunities, and a broader range of career prospects. While they did not want to leave home, the mainland offered a clearer path in achieving their goals. Watching my classmates set off, I couldn't help but picture the mix of excitement and uncertainty they must have been feeling as they ventured into a whole new environment, adjusting to calling a dorm room "home," and adapting to unfamiliar social norms.

My main concern was that they might lose touch with Hawaii and forget about the incredible community that had been cheering them on in their pursuit of their dreams.

My worries became my fuel to create Sew Local. I pour my heart into crafting every fabric and sewing each product, always with the idea of how my fellow Hawaii girls can effortlessly infuse a touch of local love into their everyday attire.

Through these accessories, I hope they serve as a reminder to hold onto the wonderful values of Hawaii and that all the local gals are representing Hawaii no matter where they are.

In Hawaii, there's a prioritization and constant sense of community here, everyone is eager to get to know, help, and support one another. Growing up in Hawaii is a true blessing because the values and mindset fostered by its close-knit community are absolutely priceless.

I am so thankful for everyone’s support from the beginnings of Jaz.mix to where I am

taking it now. I hope you follow along

and become a part of this journey

with me.

with love,

Jaz