Malia featured on The Bride's Guide by Darcy Miller!

Borrowed, blue, old or new - we just love Darcy Miller's fabulous suggestions for being a stylish bride! And she's a fan of ours, too! Check out her latest blog interview featuring Malia!

Click here: http://blogs1.marthastewart.com/weddings/2009/11/darcy-miller-editorial-director1-what-are-the-three-hottest-swimwear-trends-right-nowone-pieces----from-scandalous-to-demu.html

Bridal Bikinis on MARTHA!

A special destination wedding episode of the Martha Show wouldn't be complete without featuring our fabulous, trademark "Just Married" and one-of-a-kind behind bridal bikinis! Available in the style of your choice with beautiful Swarovski crystals, these bottoms make great gifts for friends -- or for yourself! The episode airs tomorrow (Friday 11/20) so check it out! You can see a preview here: http://www.marthastewart.com/show/the-martha-stewart-show/destination-weddings

And if you're looking for the perfect wedding gift, let Malia Mills help!

save the garment district!

we can do it -- yes we can!
http://sartorialistsdilemma.wordpress.com/2009/10/24/rag-trade-rally-schmatta-and-swimsuits/

What costume 'suits' you this Halloween?

The pool parties may be over (at least here on the east coast) but if you have a Halloween party coming up this weekend, Malia Mills can still come to the rescue! Check out our fabulous customer, Kate, getting creative with her pucker pin up suit! We really are all about "season-less" dressing!

*If you wear YOUR Malia Mills in creative ways, let us know! We'd love to see how Malia Mills works year-round for you! Email us at maliamillsswimwear@maliamills.com !

we can do it! YES WE CAN!

it doesn't end today! be sure to let bloomberg know how important the apparel industry is to New York City and the great U.S. of A!

rallye starts today at NOON! 39th and 7th!

join the movement -- save the garment district! we need you! thanks!

SCHMATTA: RAGS TO RICHES TO RAGS

http://www.hbo.com/docs/programs/schmatta/synopsis.html
A don't miss documentary on HBO about the NYC garment district.
support made in america -- not just words -- words to live by!

join the rallye 10/21!

join us! save the garment district rallye this wednesday 10/21 at noon. 39th and 7th avenue at the needle. join us in our fight to save the garment district! join us in our fight for made in america!

save the garment district!

Don’t forget to set your DVR’s to record Schmatta – Rags to Riches to Rags on HBO Monday night at 9pm. It is a documentary film on the history of New York City’s Garment District. Save the garment district!

Love, Loss and What I Wore

Although our motto at Malia Mills is “Love Thy Differences,” we certainly can’t deny that there’s much to love about the many ways in which women are the same. We ALL understand that the emotions we feel and the clothes we wear are as tightly tied together as the sides of our love knot bikini bottoms! That is to say, they’re knotted together with good reason!

I recently had the great pleasure of indulging in an evening of Love, Loss and What I Wore, the new off-Broadway play that turns the joy, tears, and occasional torture of clothes into nothing less than a celebration. I had such a fantastic time laughing (and tearing up!) about the undeniably universal truths about women and their relationships with clothes...and each other! It really felt like I was a lucky member of a special sisterhood to be sitting in that audience listening to the talented Rosie O’Donnell, Tyne Daly, Natasha Lyonne, Samantha Bee and Katie Finneran. The cast consists of a rotating array of actresses before the show ends its run in December. (See website for details: http://www.lovelossonstage.com/)

Every gal who shops with us at Malia Mills is an instant "Malia Mills Maven" and we love to hear from all of you….which is why it was even more fun to hear echoes of customers' voices in Love, Loss and What I Wore. There’s a montage about dressing rooms that sounded all too familiar and I was cracking up from Rosie's delivery of a piece about a bra-fitting experience! We can all continue to “Love OUR Differences” without forgetting to connect with each other and find laughter when we can.

From one maven to another, if you’re in NYC, go check it out with your loved ones!

Daryl Roth presents
Love, Loss and What I Wore

by Nora Ephron & Delia Ephron - based on the book by Ilene Beckerman
at the Westside Theatre on 43rd St at 9th Ave


*And remember to always feel welcome to share your own love about what you wore from Malia Mills with us at maliamillsswimwear@maliamills.com !

three cheers for petrouman!

three cheers for petrouman! nicolas and his boys share space in our studio and today was show day here in new york. nicolas loves to emphasize the mix in mix 'n match as much as we do! we'll be selling some of his very cool crochet tanks very soon... check out the groovy sandals made by Laerte -- the same guy who crafts our bags and snap belts. we love our fabulous fashion family!

Malia Mills Nominated...Spread the Word by September 13!

“Help spread the word- Love thy differences™”

We are honored to be nominated by one of our customers (and thanks to you all) for an amazing opportunity with American Express.

Bottom line is, if we win we get a spectacular opportunity including marketing help from American Express. We also will be able to open another small store to spread our love thy differences™ love to more gals!

The clock is ticking and we have to have all endorsements in by midnight September 13 (tomorrow!). All you have to do is go to the following link (below) and click the "Support This Story Endorse Now" button on the left. You will be asked to fill out some information -- we think it is to be sure the nominees aren't endorsed by employees which is against contest rules though we aren't certain...

http://shinealight.ivillage.com/sbo-profile/?ProfileID=7789

As always we appreciate your loyalty and support and if you have a moment to check out our page, share a story and endorse us we would be very grateful!
Thank you!

Malia and Carol

Malia Mills Joins Vogue's Fashion's Night Out!

Hey Malia Mills Mavens!

Malia Mills is participating in Vogue Fashion's Night Out this year and we're so psyched!

Here's some information about it and be sure to click on the link at the bottom for even more info!

This year's Fashion's Night Out is a "global initiative to promote retail, restore consumer confidence, and celebrate fashion." Vogue has "invited every fashion retailer across the five boroughs to encourage the fun of fashion again—flagships, tiny boutiques, massive department stores, young designers, mainstream chains, and niche luxury names alike—by keeping its doors open late on the evening of September 10 and to implement creative customer experiences welcoming all. Over 700 retailers and designers across New York City are confirmed participants in Fashion’s Night Out."

On September 10 all three Malia Mills stores in New York City will be open late for Vogue’s Fashion’s Night Out! We’ll share the night with groovy friends, good tunes, cold beer! Plus, we’ll celebrate fashion with Malia Mills Give Good Chi Give-Away -- enter to win gift certificates toward some delicious swim separates and season-less sportswear. Fashion rocks! Join the Malia Mills crew for Fashion’s Night Out and let’s give good chi together!

New York stores will also be selling the official Fashion's Night Out Tshirts this weekend.
They retail for $30 and 40% of the proceeds go to the September 11 Memorial and Museum.

Check out more info at http://www.fashionsnightout.com/

Carol's Excellent Summer Adventure- LBI, NJ!

See my friend Sandy with her daughter Elizabeth, 17, on her last days before she heads off to George Washington in DC for her freshman year of college.
Her 2nd daughter, Alison, 15, is mad for her Malia Mills. I only wish I had a photo of her showing off the Dreamboat.

Sandy, my 51 years young friend, models the Susannah! Fabulous!
And of course, your head chi-leader models a vintage sample of the Lauren in Lizzie Paisley.

Rock on the last days of Summer 2000FINE!!!

Carol

Malia Mills New Siren Maillot!

Here is Caitlin, our rad Malia Mills Fit Specialist out in the Hamptons, in the smokin' new Siren Maillot.

Open in the back, with long straps to tie this way and that, it's a real stunner for the summer!

Happiness is...

photo credit:Gaston Olsen/Robert Moses State Park

Check out our fabulous Malia Mills maven and Mulberry store shopper, Lori, showing off her skills and her beautiful bikini! Summer is FINALLY here and all of us at Malia Mills couldn't be happier! Hope all of our fellow swimwear-loving sisters are enjoying handstands on the sand or whatever makes YOU feel happy this summer!

i (heart) pandora

a fine hot summer night. cool breeze blowing through the windows on the 16th floor. editing film. wait 'til you see zee in our vintage malia mills corset and our vintage malia mills patchwork sassy girl bottom! and erin in our corset and our vintage malia mills girls got hips hipster bikini bottom! pandora is cranked up to 11 on black sabbath radio. so inspiring. next up a photoshoot with the most excellent michelle in our red hot red chloe top and our sweet okole bottom (that's "sweet tush" in hawaiian.) and dina in our red hot red starlet maillot. hot is right! wait 'til you see this color! woo hoo! summer is finally here in new york city!

the Swish dress in stores

SWiiiSSSSHhh….

an onomatopoeia!

mini in the front, long and loose in the back. flirty gathering, rich 4” hemlines, pockets! long straps to play with.. total adjustability. made right here in new york city.

the black woven version is made of a really special fabric. it’s a stretch woven that wears like a jersey but has a much richer look and drape. we are obsessed with it. you will see three styles in this same fabric this summer and into fall. It’s certainly year-round. washer-dryer friendly. can be dressed up or down. kinda has a vintage hand but a modern matte finish. BLACK. sizes 2-12. $495

the fun florals are a rayon blend. they are from our vintage capsule collection. if you’re veteran enough you may remember the Cecelia bikinis. we’d been dreaming up fun ways to bring this print back to you and when the Swish sample was sewn in it we all swooooned. it makes so much sense in this style! It’s a bit sheer in the sunlight. i wear it over my long Inhabit tank, or the Good Nurse Slip. or wear it over a bikini as a cover-up. or out at night over just a black maillot with some heels (the peach dress would be great with red lipstick as Leila pointed out). BLACK FLORAL, PEACH FLORAL and WHITE FLORAL. sizes 2-16. $265

there are a few ways to wear the straps. we shipped them tied my favorite way – worn like a halter, low in the front and super low in the back. be sure to play with the length by loosening the straps and pulling the fabric around the straps down to the center. drop the back dangerously low, or pull it up for more coverage. it’s works like a drawstring.

layer it! over a bathing suit. over your munich track pants. knee highs and sven buckle boots. try it with sven buckle clogs and nothing else! the tia hat and the buckle clogs with the back super low (kinda eastern 60s mind-blowing). throw a snap belt or two over it, (the new colors are so much fun!) a turtleneck and thigh highs come fall. the floral swish dresses become opaque over an NNS or the Good Nurse slip. the Racy Nurse looks great under the open back on this one.

Malia Mills opens in East Hampton!!!

That makes TWO Hampton's locations for Malia Mills!

Southampton:

53 Jobs Lane

East Hampton:

55 Main Street

Check out the pics . . . This is the before and after!  We lovingly built the East Hampton store in 5 days flat.  Lots of good chi in that place!

more MoMA chi

with thanks to eric cahan for the photos.

http://gallery.me.com/ecahan33/100983

MoMA chi

At 7:45am this morning I unrolled a yoga mat in the garden of the MoMA. For real! Under the weeping willows, surrounded by some of the world's most exciting art. Two hours and many down dogs later I had a very long and exhilarating moment of chi for all. All of you FABULOUS HARDWORKING MM GALS! 

It was a very special New York morning and I was lucky enough to be there thanks to my friend Elena. We went to college together.  She is uber passionate about yoga and has cultivated an extremely loyal following in NYC. She practices at Virayoga -- virayoga.com. 

I don't know how to yoga -- since I've only done it once, 8 years ago. But it was truly inspiring. Especially when Elena shared her musings: 

Everything has a crack -- to let in the light. 

To be in service is to be liberated.

Enter as you wish to be received -- open, warm, joyous. 

Thoughts to live by indeed. 

Big chi saturday gals! We can do it -- YES WE CAN!

B-I-N-G-O!

The fabulous new Damsel maillot in the great cotton woven print we like to call BEACH BLANKET BINGO is cute enough to make any gal a winner! Check it out! This is not your granny's bingo!

And yet another Malia Mills fan!

Wow, Carol, that is so wonderful of you. Thank you, both for the gift certificate and for taking the time to email. Jen was so wonderful and patient and informative--even after my first email, in which I sent her technical pictures of me in my underwear so that she could judge my initial style choices. I can easily imagine that someone would wonder "who IS this customer???" but instead she was incredibly helpful and clear in her responses, which helped me make good choices. I read the Malia Mills statement of intent at the bottom of one of her emails, and I would say that my whole experience, including the final result of the way the suits fit and make me feel, and your kind response to my delight, exemplifies what you are trying to achieve: a respectful, inclusive, fun, interesting bathing-suit-buying experience. My gosh, how rare is that???

I would think that San Francisco would be great for a location....Oakland is getting very fun, too, near downtown. I found out about you in a piece on swimsuits in Real Simple, and immediately came home and looked up the website. I told Jen that I immediately got short of breath--I could tell that your designs were just what I was looking for. I'm interested in vintage clothing, and sew a lot of my own clothes, and so I've been dreaming of a bathing suit that still made me feel like me, and not like I was taking a painfully self-conscious hiatus from my personal style every time I needed to wear it. And I've had two kids, so I wanted to feel cute, and not too conservative, while dealing with the realities of a middle-age body!

I wish you all the best, and I'll do everything I can to spread the word. Thank you so much again, for your vision and your execution of it!

LM

We love our Malia Mills fans!

Dear Malia,
Thank you. Thank you for creating swim wear that makes a woman feel good about her body again. Thank you for creating swim wear that fits AND looks up to date and fun and even a little edgy. Thank you for opening a store near me! Thank you for your vision which has become my reality!
I had the best Mother's Day shopping at your Brentwood/Santa Monica store and was in awe that I found several suits to choose from- several suits I fell in love with- several suits that helped me appreciate my body again. I was eyeing your upper Manhattan store last year and said to myself- "next year, I'm getting one of those suits". I was tentative about going to the store- fitting bathing suits is usually a disappointing, frustrating experience for most of
us- but I pushed myself and found that I can be happy with my body in a bathing suit today- not when I lose 10 pounds or 30 pounds but today. Thank you for that. Keep up the amazing work- you rock!
A very happy customer and true believer, CJ

New Sven Sandals En Rout to Malia Mills Boutiques!

woohoo! two new styles from our favorite gals at SVEN. 

GuNMeTaL Huarache Clogs -- a super rad spin on the huaraches you wore as a kid to the backyard BBQs. badass metallic leather upper. 2 1/2" wooden heels; 1" platform front. The sole is lined with rubber for comfort and traction. these look AWESOME with the track pants; and with any of the mm dresses. Be sure and try them on with black knee socks. they'll be prefect our new silhouettes coming in next month. wear em with a sage dream boat and harness me belt! or pair them with a goth calendar girl and danceteria. the jewel tones and metallics together.. $130; sizes 37-41 in stock.

BlAcK Buckle Clogs -- an homage to your mom's Birks, but way modern. again, the platform clog heel -- can't get enough. black leather upper. antique brass buckle for adjustability. same great wooden sole with heel and platform and rubber grip. you'll live in these. they are the black sandals that look good with everything. Especially the Joni saloon stripe with a snap belt; or the Marais in black or navy.. These are exclusive to Malia Mills. $130; sizes 37-41 in stock.



A couple reminders about our gals at Sven -- They are located in Chicago City, Minnesota. We have a great working relationship with Marie Rivers, the owner and President. She and her team hand-make each and every pair of these beautiful clogs. 

Hot off the Sewing Machine . . . The Shimmy Shake Swim Dress

Who wouldn't want to slip into this little number and stride on down a hot stretch of sand...

Can be worn with bottoms for swimming or a seaside stroll.  Super cute in the city with our wrapture sandals and an inhabit cardigan.  Look how fabulous Merica looks wearing the shimmy shake with her boots and one of barbara campbell's beauties!  This sample is in bittersweet but we cut them in cool cadet and badass black.  So new it isn't even on the web -- call Jen at 1.800.685.3479 to be the first to order.  Fits A through C cups!

Sage Dreamboat En Route to a Malia Mills Store Near You!

Ahoy, Maties!

The maillot we can't get enough of is now in our FAVE color of the summer!  We started dancing around the studio when these beauts sailed in!! 

Ladies and Malia Mills Mavens,  the Dreamboat Maillot in Sage . . . 

3 Cheers!

Spring has finally sprung in New York City, and not a moment too soon.  We're definitely popping a bottle of champagne at the Malia Mills studio to celebrate this extraordinary day!  

Malia Mills Goes on Tour!

Our very favorite singer/ songwriter, Brianna Sage hit the road on a two week tour of the south singing with  Josh Charles for the 'Rebuild Tour'! Sponsored by Malia Mills, long time MM maven Brianna was seen sporting tons of fun styles from Dallas to New Orleans. Check her out at the Louisiana Music Factory in New Orleans rocking a sexy sailor tunic / snapbelt combo, and in Austin recording a music video in her oh-so-hot coffee, tea, or me dress!

If you are in the NYC area, you can see Brianna perform at The Canal Room on May 1st at 8pm.

Malia Mills in the New York Times -- Save Fashion!

On Tuesday morning, Malia and I sat in fantastic company at a round table of concerned CFDA designers discussing the state of the wholesale industry .  It is truly remarkable to hear the 'coming-up' stories of these folks -- from Philip Crangi, to Justin Giunta to our very own Malia Mills.  Each of these designers spoke so passionately about the trials and tribulations they each faced as they embarked on their unique journeys to starting their labels.  The heart of fashion is beating stronger than ever in New York City -- read this article in the New York Times highlighting the push for designers to have a little R-E-S-P-E-C-T!

 

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/23/fashion/23ROW.html?_r=1

O Romeo!

It's Shakespeare's birthday! So come celebrate the Bard with a bikini!

Try one in our romantic Romeo fabric (check out our fab fabrics here: http://maliamills.com/Pages/shoponline/stylesbyfabric.html) or swoon over our new Juliette top! We bet you ladies won't protest too much!

Malia Mills is a Bag Lady!

Here is a sneak peek at our bags for summer!  This is a true sneak peek -- I snapped this pic of Malia showing the samples (all of them) to Sister / Business Partner Carol in the studio today!

Stay tuned for more sneaky action  pics from our studio . . . 

Malia Mills Loves Casa Verde! "Shop for a Cause" in Greenwich

Please Come out and "Shop for a Cause"

April 19th-25th, 2009

Malia Mills Greenwich store is proud to be participating in Greenwich CT's "Shop for a Cause" fundraiser to benefit the children of Colombia.

During the week of April 19th Select Greenwich businesses will generously donate 10% of your purchases to Casa Verde when you mention the fundraiser!

Casa Verde was founded in 2002 by Jose Arias. Mr. Arias started Casa Verde for children in Colombia who were formerly living alone on the streets. The children are provided with a home, family and education so they can grow up to be productive members of Colombian society. Mr Arias uses the profits from his Stamford business Greenhouse Limousine to fund Casa Verde.

Here at Malia Mills, we are also offering an additional 10% off your purchases with mention of the fundraiser! So come by and "Shop for a Cause," your shopping will help the Casa Verde children as well as help support all the generous Greenwich businesses!

Other participants include Theory, Tory Burch, The Drawing Room Boutique, Splurge, and more!

Check out casaverdehomeofhope.org for more information.

Thanks TONY!

3 Cheers!

Time Out New York Names Malia Mills one of the best swimwear boutiques in NYC!!

Read all about it:

http://newyork.timeout.com/articles/shopping/73608/the-best-independent-shops-for-bathing-suits-in-nyc

Vogue.com Agrees . . .

Vogue.com has named the Dionne Maillot in Movie Star one of their most wanted suits this summer!  

It's Movie Star Mania -- we just can't get enough!

http://www.style.com/vogue/mostwanted/

 

It's Delovely . . . It's Delilah!

DELILAH!





The famous female half of a grand opera, the new Delilah top will be a new fabulously fun half to any D/DD cup gal's new bikini!

Available in Romeo and Goth, it's got the halter style of the Raquel combined with the new ruched tie of the Meredith! (The tie can be removed for gals who want it without the detail.) Side boning, power netting...

Lots of support to make the girls sing!

Here's lookin' at you, kid!

Malia's god daughter, Philomene is a Malia Mills Mini-Maven in her MM suit!  Mix n' match is more fun with Liberty prints!

Available NOW!

Stop by your local Malia Mills or Call 800.685.3479 for more deets!

Malia Mills in South Beach!

Photos of my friends, Sandy and Alex's daughters, proudly sportin' their Malia Mills suits and Love thy differenceTM attitudes in beautiful South Beach.

These gals (now 15 and 17) were part of the Malia Mills family from a very young age. They are poster girls for Malia Mills.

Love the Rachel Romper and Roman Holiday Romper! Proof that wool really is seasonless.

Rock it, ladies! Malia Mills swimwear never looked so good!

Parting is Such Bittersweet Sorrow...

that we can't say goodbye just yet!

We say 'thanks!' to all of our fabulous Malia Mills mavens who let us know that they are not ready to see Bittersweet Brown leave our line! Back by popular demand, Bittersweet will continue to be a part of our fab family of colors - and while that does mean that our Bittersweet promotion has ended, the good news is that you can continue to mix and match your swimwear pieces with this beautiful brown for many more swim seasons to come!

Thanks for your fantastic feedback! You speak and we listen! Keep the comments coming!

Malia Mills Opens in Los Angeles!

MALIA MILLS SWIMWEAR SADDLES UP AND HEADS OUT WEST!

New York, NY, January 2009 – Malia Mills, known for her signature swimwear separates designed to fit and flatter women’s unique shapes and sizes, is opening shop in the Brentwood Country Mart. To open in mid February, 2009, the new location at 225 26th Street is situated on a bustling shopping corner, steps away from Turpan, Calypso, and James Perse.

Carol Mills, partner, expressed her excitement about the new store: “We are thrilled to bring Malia Mills to Los Angeles. Our store will be stocked with the perfect pieces for holidays home and away – swimwear, sandals, sportswear, cashmere and more! We can’t wait to see the gals in LA layering-it-up in Malia Mills!”

Designer Malia Mills jumped in: “We are really excited to open in the city of angels! We’re psyched to spread our ‘love thy differences™’ love out west.”

Malia Mills opened its first store in downtown Manhattan on Mulberry Street in 1998. The company also has stores on Lexington and Columbus Avenues in Manhattan, Southampton, New York, Greenwich, Connecticut, Chicago, Illinois, and now Los Angeles. Yahoo!


For more information, please contact Nicole Miller at nicole@maliamills.com or visit the Malia Mills web site at www.maliamills.com

Malia Mills Made In The USA!

A special shout out to our industrious and passionate patternmakers, cutters, sewers
(see Annie, Clara and Elaine at right), and shippers east and west of the mighty Mississippi!

From our summer of love bottom to our newest racy nurse slip to our striped joni dress each Malia Mills layering piece is lovingly
Made in the USA.

It’s America’s moment and we thank you for supporting the hardworking families who craft our beautiful collection.

Hip, hip, hooray!