Hand-drawn and full of soul, this collection features Honolulu-based artist Sunny Weeks, whose work is deeply rooted in her island home. Inspired by blooming plumeria, swaying palms and sun-drenched stillness, her artwork brings a sense of movement, balance, and warmth to our latest collection.

Her signature black-and-white illustrations blend bold linework with delicate stillness, drawing inspiration from native botanicals, tropical landscapes, and everyday aloha. Sunny’s work is a love letter to Hawai‘i - gentle, grounded, and full of feeling.

Tell us a little about yourself, did you grow up in Hawaii?

I’m a Honolulu native—born and raised with plenty of sunshine and salty air! I spent a few years on the Big Island for college, where I studied Linguistics (with a special love for the Hawaiian language) at the University of Hawaii at Hilo. In 2013, I made my way back to Honolulu, then eventually settled on the North Shore of Oahu in 2017—and that’s where began pursuing my career in art.

Art has always been a part of me, and no matter where life leads, it’s something I’ll keep pursuing with heart and curiosity. It’s my creative compass—and I’m excited to follow it wherever it takes me.

What’s your typical day in Hawaii look like?

I never skip breakfast—I’m a big breakfast girlie, it’s hands-down my favorite meal of the day. After that, I usually head out for a walk on the bike path with an audiobook in my ears. My reading tastes usually bounce between sci-fi—which is great for sparking abstract, out-there creativity—and classic novels, which feed my love for all things dreamy and romantic.

Then it’s time to get into work mode: packing orders, planning some IG or Pinterest content, maybe restocking one of the sweet local shops in town. In the afternoon, I try to carve out time to create something new—if the inspiration shows up.

Some days, the creative energy hits and I dive right in, making the most of that momentum while it’s here. Other days? Not so much. On those slower days, I’ll wander over to the beach, let my mind unwind, and see what bubbles up—sometimes the best ideas sneak in when I’m not trying so hard.

Can you give us a little background on some of the inspiration behind your artwork?

A lot of my inspiration comes straight from my roots. I grew up in Mānoa—a super lush, rain-kissed valley in Honolulu—where everything is green and blooming. My mom’s always been a full-on plant lady, so our home was constantly filled with big vases of heliconia and ginger. Heliconia especially has a soft spot in my heart— there are so many varieties, each one with its own wild shape and bold attitude.

On the flip side, I think my minimalist style is totally influenced by my dad. He’s a Hawai‘i-based architect who designs these beautifully intentional homes that blend island style with historical, traditional, and contemporary elements. That same thoughtful simplicity definitely finds its way into my art—and I like to think it’s a little reflection of both my parents: bold and botanical with a side of clean lines.

How did your collaboration with Rhythm come to life—did they approach you?

I was totally shocked (in the best way!) when Rhythm reached out to me. I’d been a fan of their brand for years—always loved the quality and effortless style of their pieces—so it felt pretty surreal.

Angie, Rhythm’s Senior Women’s Designer, discovered my work in a local Hale‘iwa shop called Number 808, and ended up reaching out to me through social media. From there, things just started clicking—and the collaboration took off from there!

What was your initial reaction when you found out your art would be translated onto garments like swimwear and apparel?

Totally stoked! Honestly, seeing my art on actual garments—especially swimwear—was such a wild, pinch-me moment. It’s one thing to create something on paper, but to see it transformed into something people can wear? That’s next-level.

What made the whole experience even more special was how genuinely interested the Rhythm team was in my style and vision. I fully expected them to just take my files, tweak them to fit their brand, and run with it. But instead, they invited me into the process—they wanted to hear what I liked, what I envisioned. It was so refreshing, and honestly made the whole project feel easy, exciting, and super fun from start to finish.

Would you want to do more fashion collabs? Maybe even your own line someday?

I’d love to do more fashion collabs! It’s always been a dream of mine to team up with cool brands and bring something fresh into the world. As for launching my own line? I don’t see that in the cards just yet—but hey, never say never! I’m always open to where the creative path might lead.

Did you create new art just for this, or were these existing pieces that found a new home?

It was a little mix of both! The core designs were based on existing pieces, but each one got a bit of a makeover—I tweaked the colors and adjusted the layouts to create swatches that would translate well onto fabric. It was fun reimagining the artwork in a new context and seeing how it could come to life in a totally different way.

Do you have a favorite piece from the collection?

My favorite piece from the collection is probably the mini dress—it’s properly spunky with a retro flair, and I just love how playful and bold it feels. It’s got that disco-on-the-beach kind of energy—totally fun, totally my vibe.

Any advice you’d give other artists who are curious about working with brands?

My biggest piece of advice? Just keep creating, and stay open to wherever your creative direction takes you. Focus on making work that feels genuine to you, and trust that the good stuff will follow in time.

Put yourself out there—even when it feels a little uncomfortable. There’ll be bumps, a few flops, maybe even some awkward detours—but that’s all part of it. The key is to keep showing up, keep experimenting, and most importantly, keep it going!

Melia Floral is a hero print inspired by the quiet romance of island life. Blooming plumeria, swaying palms and sun-drenched stillness come together in a black-and-white artwork that feels balanced, expressive and alive with movement.

Designed to translate effortlessly onto swimwear and apparel, the print brings a sense of ease and warmth to everyday wear.