Another of my favorite designers; unfortunately, information on him is scarce. From what I've gathered through various biographies, he began his first company in 1948 and retired in 1988. If anyone has additional information, or if these dates happen to be incorrect, feel free to post here!
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Alfred Shaheen
By Mike Gordon
Advertiser Staff Writer
People who knew garment-maker Alfred Shaheen told him he was crazy in 1952 when he took a pile of scrap lumber, bailing wire and junkyard motors and built the equipment needed to print his own tropical designs on the cloth used for his aloha shirts.
But fortune follows the brave, and Shaheen built a Hawai'i-based empire that earned him millions and put his unique aloha shirts on the backs of people all over the world. He brought mass production of textile printing and clothing manufacturing to the Islands and employed hundreds of workers.
By statehood, it was said that Shaheen was "the kingpin of Hawai'i's sprouting garment manufacturing industry." His tropical designs and business decisions were credited with taking an industry with less than $1 million in sales in 1947 to roughly $15 million by 1959.
Shaheen initially did not want a career in the garment business, even though his father and grandfather owned fabric mills and a chain of stores on the Mainland.
Shaheen was born in New Jersey in 1922. He was an All-American football player at Whittier College, where he received an engineering degree. During World War II, Shaheen was a fighter pilot who flew 85 missions over Europe.
After the war, he moved to Honolulu, where his family had been since 1938 after opening a custom dress-making business. In 1948, Shaheen decided to open his own aloha shirt manufacturing company — Shaheen's of Honolulu. He had only four sewing machines and four seamstresses, each one taught by his mother.
At the time, Island companies would import textiles, then cut and sew them into their own designs. But the unpredictability of shipping to Hawai'i forced them to keep a five-month inventory of fabric. So Shaheen decided to create his own printing factory in 1952 — Surf 'n Sand Hand Prints — in a rented Quonset hut.
Shaheen wanted a look that was different, and his designs quickly gained widespread popularity.
All screening was done by hand, and workers were told to force more ink into the shirt fabric to enrich the colors. Shaheen fabric usually had three- to five-color designs, which were part of a library of more than 1,000 dye colors.
His upscale clothing was sold in major Mainland stores and also in London, France, Hong Kong, Tahiti and Cuba, among other places. He would later open a successful chain of seven stores in Hawai'i.
What a classic Shaheen dress! There is no date at the source, but the style looks like late 1960s-early 1970s.
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Vintage Alfred Shaheen Hawaiian Dress Signed. Beautiful Dress, Main color is teal green with aqua blue/green/white/gold flowers, Big butterflys, lined with nylon fabric on top & sleeves, comes with self fabric belt, back zipper closure.
This is a vintage 1970's dress by designer Alfred Shaheen. It is in great condition and is still crisp from storage. I don't think it was worn much if ever. The bodice is fitted and has pointed collars and buttons down the front. The sleeves are sheer and the full length skirt is overlaid with sheer blue fabric as well. The dress itself measures exact 42-32-42 and is 91 percent polyester and 6 nylon. It does not have its original belt but you can add your own.
This is a gorgeous vintage 1950’s collectible dress by designer Alfred Shaheen. It has the older label and is in excellent condition. There are belt loops at side but the original belt is not present and it can be worn without. The dress is a dark pink/purple color with matte metallic gold and silver actually printed onto the fabric. It is a slightly stiff medium weight fabric and the garment zippers up in the back.
This is a vintage 1950’s Alfred Shaheen designer dress. It is new old stock and was never been worn as it has its original paper hang tag. However the garment has been in storage for many years. The dress has a fitted bodice with straps that tie at the shoulders, fitted waistline, and full pleated skirt. It zippers up in the back with a metal zipper and is made of cotton fabric with a dark green and black abstract Tiki style pattern.
1950's Alfred Shaheen Hawaiian Dress
Vintage 1950's Alfred Shaheen Asian themed cotton dress. Elastic pleats on side of bodice for that extra stretch and comfort. The material is screen in black and metallic gold. Bust 32 inches Waist 24 inches to 28 inches. Very good condition.
I can't imagine why people would sell these dresses!
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1965-1976/1970's. [G]orgeous vintage Alfred Shaheen dress w/sheer sleeves & matching belt. It is in excellent vintage condition, no rips, tears, holes or stains.
Tag reads, Alfred Shaheen California Hawaii ~ Made In USA ~ 91% Polyester 9% Nylon ~ Size 8.
STUNNING Vintage SIGNED ALFRED SHAHEEN PINK ROSES MAXI DRESS! Double layer Fabric with a Metallic shimmery shine to it. Button front partial way down. Sheer sleeves with button cuffs. Size is 16. Sheer tie belt with tassels, one is missing. Darted bust. Excellent Condition.
Vintage Alfred Shaheen Formal Evening Gown/Dress
A beautiful and classic 1960's style floor length orange formal dress. It has long sleeves and pleats from the waist down. It is decorated with a very unique flower pattern of tulips in dark green and pink with bright orange leaves. It does zip up the back and the back of the neck closes with a metal hook. Part of the metal hook is missing, but easy to replace. This dress has a very unique V neck line with the collar across the top and the sleeves are made from a sheer see through material. It comes with a white vinyl velcro belt with orange material on the top decorated with a detailed green design and trimmed in gold. The cuffs of the sleeves are the same as the belt and also trimmed in gold. The tag reads "Alfred Shaheen, California & Hawaii." The dress is 91% polyester and 9% nylon.
[V]intage swimwear or short set by alfred Shaheen. It is a two piece set. The shorts zip up the back and also have an eyehook. The top has straps at shoulders and ties at back. The color is shades of brown with white, gold, burgundy hawaiian flowers. It is in good vintage condition. There are no rips or tears, one arm strap appears to have been hand sewn back on and they used the wrong color thread, could easily be repaired correctly with the right color thread and a sewing machine. Zipper and eyehook work great.
Label: Alfred Shaheen
Size: 14(check measurements)
Materials: 100% polyester Made in USA
Care instructions: Hand Wash (can wash on delicate in cold water)
Condition: Excellent
Color: Black
Fabric type: 94% acetate, 6% spandex(some stretch)
Closure: zipper in back
Additional information: This one is a beauty! It has Asian characters screened along one side of the dress. It has a band collar with faux buttons at a slant. The chiffon sleeves are sheer and full, almost goth-like. This dress has a back zipper and a 22" slit at the left-leg side.
Gorgeous vintage 1950s rayon satin DRAMATIC wrap coat dress with 3/4 sleeves and FULL skirt by sought after Hawaiian designer ALFRED SHAHEEN Honolulu that boasts its original Shaheen booklet / tag & PRICE TAG for $29.95 from the 50s
Vintage 1950s. Black spaghetti strap cotton sun dress with air brushed bird of paradise flowers across the front and down one side, has tiny rhinestones in centers of each flower, rear metal zipper, label marked "Alfred Shaheen Honolulu", no size tag, measures 36in.bust, 28in.waist, full hips, as is condition, something spilled on sides of skirt near hem, also fray in fabric on side of waist
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