Julie McGee was 10 years old when her family moved to Hawaii from Louisiana, but her hint of a Southern accent and street-smart French style channel New Orleans, the city of her birth.
After graduating from Hawaii Preparatory Academy, Tufts University and the San Francisco Academy of Art, McGee, 30, worked for fashion brands Anthropologie and Free People in California and New York before opening the home-and-apparel boutique Echo & Atlas in Honolulu last year.
Her look is tailored, in an easy, breezy sort of way, in natural, low-maintenance fibers that allow her more time to enjoy with her daughter, Jordan. “While she is just 6 months old, Jordan has a very unique personality,” McGee said.
During a morning walk and photo shoot, Jordan, in a romper that her mother chose for its “very Southern charm,” graced the morning streets of Chinatown with her smiles.
SELF-DESCRIBED STYLE
“L.A.-Parisian. When I’m getting dressed I try on multiple options — play dress-up — and I love to layer.”
GREEN ETHOS
“I was attracted to certain brands, and I would find they had an eco aspect in their design. A lot of brands are moving in that direction. I love natural fabrics that can be laundered at home in cold water and hung to dry.”
DRESSING UP
“Women are always looking for that perfect white shirt, and I wear white year-round. This blouse is so light, in Japanese cotton — I love the bow and the crop length, and it’s sewn in Manoa by Rumi Murakami. I also imagine it looking great with a maxi skirt or pencil skirt. I just got these Alexander Wangs (shoes) with metal balls — they’re my favorite, so comfortable, and I wear them with everything.”
DRESSING DOWN
“This Lacausa jumpsuit is so easy to pull on, and it feels light as air. The bag by Tikishiki, a local company, is inspired by furoshiki, the Japanese wrapping cloth. It’s one piece of cloth with a detachable handle, and you can change the size by refolding it. It’s great when we fly to see family in California.”
OLD AND NEW
“The silver bracelets are M33Ms by Imiko, made in Hawaii, but instead of themes like shells, you’ll maybe see a little diamond. The colored bangles are vintage Bakelite, which became popular with jewelry designers, including Coco Chanel, in the 1930s and ’40s.”
“Island Lookbook” is a weekly feature of the Star-Advertiser Sunday Magazine that spotlights local trendsetters. Email features@staradvertiser.com0.
