Aloha kākou!
For our Spring 2016 collection, rather than look elsewhere for inspiration, we chose to turn our attention to those closest to us—our FITTED ‘ohana. This season, we’re getting up close and personal with our “hui” (Hawaiian for club or company), as we allowed each of our team members to dream up two hats, each utilizing their choice of silhouette (59FIFTY fitted or 9FIFTY snapback), front logo, color-blocking, and materials—resulting in unique pieces that hold special value to the team members that created them. A few of our stockists on the Mainland will release their own store exclusives in the near future as well. Please note that all hats in this collection were produced in limited quantities.
Each piece has a special story behind it, and what better way to hear those stories than from the creators themselves? Every release will be authored by the team member responsible for that design, for an even more personal touch. This Spring season, we hope to share a little more about our hui with you.
Name: Alia Calicdan
AKA: Alia Aiko
Title/Position: Store Manager
Favorite place in Hawaii? 1240 N School St. Honolulu, HI 96817
One thing you can't live without? My family & my doggies
What are you doing when you aren't working? Reading, eating, and/or just kickin it with friends.
Favorite FITTED hat? Anything ʻĀina or Kulāiwi
What inspires you? The youth's imagination & creativity.
DIESEL PRIDE 59FIFTY
By Alia Calicdan
Fate /fāt/
noun
The development of events beyond a person's control, regarded as determined by a supernatural power.
My family has owned dogs my whole life. Over the last twenty seven years, I've been blessed by eight, four-legged souls: Tara, Brandi, Koa, Opus, Riley, Diesel, Harley, and Davie. Although each one holds a place in my heart, there's one who is extra special to me.
I had euthanized Koa Boy a few months into 2008. As you can imagine, it was a difficult thing to do and owning another dog was the last thing on my mind. However...my friend, Crystal, invited me over to her house. Her dogs just had puppies, so you best believe I accepted her invitation!
So here I am, oohing and awwing over these little things. Their eyes and ears aren't even open yet, only their little pink tongues sticking out. When I see dogs, my voice automatically goes into this really high pitched noise, especially when I see puppies. Don't judge me, I can't control it. Haha. Remember when I said owning another dog was the last thing on my mind? Well that changed. Real quick. There must've been around five or six pups, four were already spoken for. Naturally, I start asking questions. Can I see what the parents look like? Are you selling them? So on and so forth. I'm obviously interested, so Crystal takes the last two pups out of the kennel and places them on her bed. I rest my head at the edge so I can get on their level, and I'm just swooned. They're so freaking cute! After going back and forth about which one I want, one of the pups crawl towards my face. He comes all the way to my nose, stops, and just cuddles up to me. I'm sold. I look at Crystal and she knows that's the one I'm taking home.
I name him Diesel. Already had the name picked out before I had the pup. Lol. Now here comes the tough part, my parents. My dad is an easy sale, I tell him he's half Pitbull, half Labrador. The Pitbull and male part had him hooked. But dad won't be on board if mom isn't. Easy. Mom is just like me, we both have a soft spot for animals. With that being said, I just brought Diesel home and didn't think of any kind of consequences. Well, my mom was f*%#ing pissed! Like screaming her head off-pissed. Once she calmed down, I let her hold Diesel and just like that she was on board. Like I said - soft spot. I could keep Diesel under one condition, he would be my dog, my responsibility. DONE and DONE.
It's crazy to think that was seven years ago. He chose me to be his. I didn't know it then, but I needed him. The universe put him in my life for a reason. Even though he's a riot and doesn't listen sometimes, he's the greatest thing that's ever happened to me. I've learned what unconditional love feels like and what unquestionable loyalty looks like without any spoken words. Diesel's also taught me about patience and how it's an ever growing practice. He makes me a better human being, no doubt. Shouts out to fate, for bringing us together.
Why the H Pride? Ain't it obvious by now?! Haha. Diesel's my pride and joy, so it's only fitting. The color way is easy: black pebbled leather, black embroidery, and black undervisor. When you see Diesel you'll know why the New Era flag is blue and the FITTED crest is white. I made this hat a 59FIFTY fitted, so you gotta get the perfect size; just like Diesel is a perfect fit for me.
Disclaimer: Results may vary when bringing animals home without prior parental consent.
We’ll also be releasing our new All In tee to coincide with the release of Alia’s Diesel Pride 59FIFTY. This new tee features “Fitted” on the front and “All in the Ohana” written large on the back, as a nod to the local comedy classic of the same name starring the great Andy Bumatai. The lettering on the front and back is filled with our 10-year X pattern, and the back also features a FITTED block logo and our 10-year logo.
