About Designer

Hi Beauties!

Being born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii I grew up playing on the beautiful beaches of the Big Island. I fell in love with sewing in the 8th grade and started making clothes on my mom's 20 year old sewing machine. I would always dream about traveling the world and experiencing new things. After high school I decided to move to New York City for college. Then during my second year of college I was blessed to be given the opportunity to study abroad in Florence, Italy for a year. During that year I traveled all around Europe exploring 15 different countries. I found the most beautiful beaches along the coasts of Italy, France, Croatia, Greece and Spain just to name a few. Studying abroad exposed me to new cultures and experiences. I got to study European fashion first hand and visit multiple fashion houses and factories all around Italy and France. Then in the summer of 2019 I interned abroad in Sydney, Australia for a bridal couture house where I learned couture hand sewing and construction techniques. I also took this opportunity to explore the coasts of Australia especially spots like the Great Barrier Reef, Byron Bay, Gold Coast and Bondi Beach. If there was a beach anywhere near me I would find it. I graduated in May 2020 from Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City where I got my Bachelors Degree in Fashion Design with a specialty in Special Occasion. I decided to start Shaina Makai during my third year at FIT because I wanted to bring together my passion for fashion and my world experiences back home to Hawaii.

Thank you for all your love and support!

Shaina Matsuura (Founder and Designer)

@shainamatsuura

"When you go through deep waters, I will be with you" Isaiah 43:2