Pre-Loved Podcast with Emily Stochl S9 Ep27 ALISON NAGATANI: Maui Mood Swing and Mad Kimono - on moving from a California farm to Hawaii and building two vintage stores on Maui.
On today’s show, we’re chatting with Alison Nagatani, the founder of Maui Mood Swing and Mad Kimono.
Alison is a fourth-generation farmer turned vintage entrepreneur who made the bold move from California's Central Valley to Maui and has since reimagined her life, living new passions.
What started as sourcing vintage for a friend's store evolved into two unique vintage destinations: Maui Mood Swing, an antique mall experience with a Hawaiian twist, and Mad Kimono, a curated women's vintage boutique inspired by her personal closet spanning pieces from the 1930s to 1990s.
And I loved hearing about how Alison brings vintage full circle - literally bringing Hawaii souvenirs back home to the islands where they started.
I think you’re really going to enjoy it – let’s dive right in!
DISCUSSED IN THE EPISODE:
- [3:34] Growing up in Bakersfield, Alison got into vintage and thrift through dressing in punk and grunge styles in high school.
- [7:43] Alison is a fourth-generation Japanese-American farmer and grew up on the family farm.
- [10:14] While making the bold move to Maui, Alison started her own vintage businesses.
- [13:18] Building a team and community around the vintage stores
- [19:42] Building Maui Mood Swing, during COVID, from afar.
- [21:04] After Maui Mood Swing, the team opened Mad Kimono, just nine months ago.
- [25:02] Sourcing vintage in Hawaii and bringing Hawaiian souvenirs back to the islands
- [29:04] Alison also specializes in ‘Made in Hawaii’ clothing.
- [33:13] Traveling to California and Japan to source vintage.
- [39:38] Alison’s kimonos, and other special pieces in her personal vintage collection.
- [40:32] Her philosophy on letting go of vintage pieces
EPISODE MENTIONS:
- Maui Mood Swing
- @mauimoodswing
- Mad Kimono
- @madkimonomaui
- Jerry’s Pizza in Bakersfield
- Kahala shirts
- Crazy tees - vintage tags
- Gecko Hawaii
- Wings Hawaii
- Blossom Vintage
- Jamie from Blossom on Pre-Loved Podcast
- Heartbreak Vintage
- Kimono Dragon
LET’S CONNECT:
- 📸Instagram: @emilymstochl
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- 🎥TikTok: @emilymstochl
- 📧 Substack: https://prelovedpod.substack.com/
- 🎧Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/prelovedpod
SPECIAL THANKS:
A special thanks goes out to my Patron Insiders – your support makes Pre-Loved Podcast possible!
- Patty Weber
- Kathy Brand
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- KT
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