Spotlight: Meleana Estes -Lei Aloha
Introducing Meleana Estes, Art Director at Common Ground & ICWF
At the core of Meleana's work is her flower artistry, realized through lei- making, botanical table scapes and decor. Meleana learned from her Tutu who was well known throughout Hawaii for her intricate and stunning leis and for the warmth with which she shared them. Meleana brings a style sensibility that fuses her native home with her myriad of experiences from living and working in New York City and abroad. A fresh voice on modern Hawaiian style, she is internationally recognized for both her flower artistry and fashion work with Hawaii-based design houses.
Just recently Meleana published a beautiful book called Lei Aloha which lets you explore Hawaiian culture through the art of lei making with flower inspirations and gorgeous photography. Each chapter tells the story of a grouping of flowers and lei for a special occasion.
We are giving away 3 copies of this wonderful book. Click the link below to enter for a chance to win.
Quotes from Lei Aloha
“Lei making is more than just the finished product: it’s a step in the cycle of planting and watering, picking and designing; it’s part of an occasion, part of our relationships, part of our cycle of life.”
“Every lei holds different meanings and memories for both the giver and the one who wears it; here in Hawai’i, lei are more than a gift, a cultural practice or the flowers; they bring people together, they hold relationships, community, gratitude, and protection.”
“Lei are how we haku, or weave, our memories - strings of scent and color that weave our lives together”.
We are grateful that Meleana, Common Ground’s Art Director, will join the ICWF team again in 2023 to style the venue and share her beautiful craft with any interested attendants.
Lei Aloha: Meleana Estes with Jennifer Fiedler, Photography by Tara Rock, published by Ten Speed Press.