Anyone that knows us knows we love working on all things Tiki. We love it so much that we joined forces with two of Tahiti's most talented artists to bring you the...Tahitian Tiki Collection!
The RSVLTS crew teamed up with renowned Tahitian designers James Maitera Mylle and Julio Taerea to make this truly awesome collection come to life. The main goal behind the creation of this collection was to bring everyone as close to the Tahitian culture as they could get without actually being there to experience the beauty firsthand. Both James & Julio helped us do just that and we are so excited for everyone to see the finished product.
Like every collection, this one carries a story and for this backstory we thought there was no one better person to tell it than our resident Tiki expert, Ian Glaubinger!
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Ia ora na Insiders (Hi Insiders), Ian here!
Stephen Gebhardt once asked me, “Ian, why tiki? What is it about tiki that does it for you? And like, if you love Italian food, you go to Italy. But if you love tiki, where do you go?”.
Tahiti
Last summer, my wife and I were fortunate enough to take the trip of a lifetime to the beautiful island of Tahiti; the largest island in French Polynesia in the South Pacific archipelago. Still unsure where that is? Swim over to Hawaii and hang a left and go about 2,500 miles south. You can’t miss it.
Now you guys know me as the “RSVLTS Tiki Guy” so you know I wasn’t there to just sit on a beach and work on my tan. I was there to take it all in. I wanted to learn everything I could about this amazing place including the history, the people, the food, the culture and the art. And so for a week last July, my wife and I did just that.
We saw some of the most breathtaking and sprawling landscapes, went on probably the hardest hike I’ve ever gone in my life, climbed one of the 20 tallest waterfalls on earth, visited museums, got lost in the capital city of Papeete, ate a ton traditional food, met so many amazing people, saw traditional Tahitian dancing; ‘ori Tahiti (which is similar to a haka and was so emotionally powerful I started to tear up) and last but not least, my wife and I both got our first tattoos. Obviously, my first tattoo was a tiki style Ninja Turtle.
Getting this ink just so happened to lead me into meeting two unbelievably talented artists who lent their hands in making this collection come to life. For this first-of-its-kind collab, renowned Tahitian designers James Maitera Mylle and Julio Taerea lent us their time, expertise, and amazing artistry to ensure that the pieces in this collection would bring you as close to true Tahitian culture as you can get without buying a plane ticket. From traditional ink to ceremonial dances to sacred symbols, and more, they really helped bring authenticity to this collection. We were lucky enough to be able to catch up and chat with James & Julio.
Please find the excerpts from the awesome interview below!
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1. Ian: Hi James and Julio! Could you tell us a little about yourselves? Did you always want to be artists and what specifically led you to tattooing?
Julio: Ia ora na (Hello) my name is Julio Taerea, originally from the Tuamotu Archipelago in French Polynesia. It is thanks to a wonderful person that I became a professional tattoo artist. Not only did he see great potential and the soul of an artist in me, he also invested in me financially. He was the one who bought me all the equipment I needed to start tattooing. Now it will be eight wonderful years since he opened the doors to the world of tattooing for me, but it also allowed me to meet some wonderful people from all over the world.
James: Let me introduce myself. My name is James Mylle. I'm 35 years old and I've been a tattoo artist for 10 years now. Before becoming a tattoo artist, I was in the military in France. In my family, my father and grandfather are painters. I grew up in a family that loved drawing and music. At the end of the army, I naturally gravitated towards tattooing because I wanted to try something new, and ever since, I've been having fun and loving what I do.
2. Ian: As tattoo artists, what are some of the funniest or oddest things you’ve been asked to design or create? And please tell me it wasn’t my [Ian] Ninja Turtle Tiki tattoo from this past summer.
Julio: It's true that since then I've had quite a few unusual and bizarre projects like
yours Ian with the tiki turtle, but from memory the most unusual request was a period (.).
James: The funniest request I've ever received was from a young man who wanted to write his girlfriends name. However, it's important to know that this young man's girlfriend was cheating on him at that time with a tattoo artist friend who worked with me. I refused to do his tattoo by making up a fake story. I later learned that he had his girlfriends name tattooed by another tattoo artist.
3. Ian: What was it like getting to work with RSVLTS and myself to help art direct and create these gorgeous Tahitian inspired designs for the Tahiti Tiki collection? Can you tell us a little about your design process?
Julio: To be honest, the collaboration between RSVLTS and Ian was just incredible and grateful (to know that our work, our culture appeals beyond our borders), but complicated by professional and family life, the collaboration project and the time difference. But especially the professional side was the most complicated because you have to know that Mana'o Tattoo Studios Tahiti is the reference for Polynesian tattooing at the international level. So a very large and strong demand where foreign customers represent 95% of our clientele. Where every day we are led to be at the top of our inspirations which for my part, personally is based on the feeling but also the exchanges between the artist and the person we have in front of us. I really want to thank Ian for his availability and especially his patience.
James: Our collaboration with RSLVTS and Ian went very well. Sorry for the delay in responses and sometimes the drawings. Personally, I'm rarely on social media or on my phone. Ian did a great job. Julio and I simply drew. Drawing is a pleasure and a passion. We have very little time with work and personal life. But it was a pleasure working with you and the RSVLTS team.
4. Ian: James - you actually perform Tahitian dance or ‘ori Tahiti that is specifically depicted in the RSVLTS design, “Haka”. Can you tell us a little about performing this dance and what it means to you?
James: I love the design of the "Haka" collection from RSVLTS; you can clearly see the Ori Tahiti spirit. I like practicing Ori Tahiti because it connects me with my culture and my origins. For me, Ori Tahiti represents a heritage left by our ancestors that we must preserve and cherish. When I dance, I feel a sense of pride and gratitude for my Maohi heritage. In the "Haka" design, we perceive this feeling of strength and pride. This is a very beautiful work.
5. Ian: What does it mean to be able to create Tahitian inspired designs and apparel that you can share with a whole new audience of people who may not have been familiar with Tahiti and its history, culture and people?
Julio: A second thank you to Ian for this collaboration, because our Polynesian culture is
enormously based on sharing and through this beautiful collaboration, our culture will be able to travel beyond our borders and give a glimpse, a little piece of our culture.
James: I would say that I am happy to share a facet of our culture with an audience and to make them want to discover even more about our culture and our way of being. Simple people who love to live, share, and be natural.
6. Ian: And finally, can you tell us about something that you love that is specific or unique only to Tahiti?
Julio: Finally, as I said before, we have an exclusively international clientele. What often comes out of our customers; words is: "Beyond your beautiful paradise islands, your beautiful beaches in the 50 shades of blue, your beautiful legends and stories. You Polynesians are a very welcoming, smiling people, breathing the joy of life."
James: I think for me it would be Mana. (”Mana” is the vital force that is the spirit of the island of Tahiti,the people and the ma’ohi culture.)
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Be the talk of the tiki bar in designs such as - "The Spirit of Polynesia," "Tarea Tatau," "Life & Land," "Tahitian Tapestry," "Tahitian B.B.Q.," "Tiare" and "Tiki Teddy". The spirit of French Polynesia will flow through your very soul when you rock one of these carefully crafted beauties.
All designs on our KUNUFLEX™ material and are available in our classic styles/sizing with select designs also being available in women's styles/sizing.
Whether you're soaking up the sun, or just dreaming of an island escape, this collection brings paradise to your wardrobe. So go ahead—kick back, relax, and let the good vibes (and compliments) roll in. Your tiki takeover starts now.
