Blogs by Allison

It feels like it's been a long time coming but we finally have a full collection to share with you, just in time for the changing of season. Wherever You Go is a collection that’s all about a new state of mind. . . And when the team and I started to talk about the inspiration behind this collection, we loved the idea of being with you (through the styles you’re wearing) “wherever you go.” It was very literal at first, how can we create a collection that would go with you on your journeys — trips, to work, weekend errands, and wherever else you wore our styles to.  But through this past month, I’ve been on a different and deeper journey. More learning, growth, and facing old patterns has pushed me into a new sense of being . . . And then I started to see this collection of “Wherever You Go” in a new light and with fresh eyes.  The meaning behind this collection is much deeper now. It’s also about the journey I want to be on with you — how our clothing can best support you while you’re on your own journey to connect more with your Mind, Heart, and Spirit. As you dream the big dream or imagine a better life for yourself and loved ones. Or experiencing love through different relationships in your life, holding and living with your children in their joy (and their pain), or dealing with the emotions of saying goodbye to those we love so much.  And if you’re doing the “inner work”, the spiritual journeying that I love so much — I hope our clothes can be there in the moments of “a-ha’s,” through journaling, prayer and meditation, and in the deep moments of finding more of yourself. Think of the clothing as a cheerleader, a support system, the comfort you need as you journey through this life.  Whether it’s times that you need to be brave, to show up authentic and true to yourself. Or when you’re experiencing a setback, and you need a little softness and self care. I hope to be there with you, at the beginning, middle, and end.   This is what I dream of, to give you more moments of feeling comfortable in every part of your life. I hope our clothing can be a sense of support, love and empowerment . . . We are with you, Wherever You Go . . . -Allison  Stay tuned, new collection launching 10/16/25. 

I’ve been here before—standing at the edge of what feels like the next step toward my business goals. What is this feeling in my body? Is it fear or excitement? Will I fail again? I can’t tell… and that worries me.  It feels like I’m swirling in a vortex: growing, failing, evolving, sliding backward, tripping and falling on my face. And when I look up and it seems like I’ve been in the same place the whole time. What feels different now is that I have been here before—and I’m older and hopefully wiser. No, cross that out—I am wiser. Full disclosure: we’ve been facing a few production issues lately, and I couldn’t fully understand why. If you don’t know my backstory, this business started in 2008 with a focus on petite premium denim. I had an opportunity to manufacture my denim with a family friend in China, and it backfired in a big way. After two years of back‑and‑forth design and development, I received the shipment (right before we were set to launch into Hawai‘i boutiques) and it was all wrong. They made my designs in lower‑quality (okay—cheap) denim. I opened the boxes in my storage unit and the smell of toxic fumes hit me. To say I cried would be an understatement—I sobbed. I somehow pulled myself together, made a trip to LA, took out another business loan, and met with a few factories to make the denim again, the way I intended (well, almost). Those factories in LA eventually disappointed me too—for different reasons: low quality, no integrity, and zero transparency. Every time, I would ask myself, Why can’t I find a good factory?  Finding the right factory is like finding the right partner in life—it takes kissing a lot of frogs before you find the prince. I’ll have to admit, I’ve kissed (worked with) over 20  different frogs over the last 16 years of business. And after all that, I finally feel like I’m at the precipice of something great. I think I may have finally found a couple of amazing partners to work and grow with, but my mind keeps taking me back to the fear of disappointment and failure of the past. Which has made me feel like, Have I been the issue this whole time? I mean, yes, some of these factories were… let’s say, not aligned. But there were a few that could have worked out. Maybe they weren’t the problem after all. Maybe it has been me all along?  That question pushed me off the cliff—into reading, growth, self-awareness, and spiritual practice. I dove into the deep end with no flotation device. What I found was humbling: whenever I neared the “next step” in my business, I was the one who stumbled. I kept a glass ceiling over my own head and, energetically, I’d conjure a problem. Gay Hendricks calls it the “Upper Limit Problem” in The Big Leap. This is my third time reading this book, but only recently did it click. The catalyst was a single week where I straddled two realities—financial abundance and debilitating debt—while feeling exactly the same inside: fear of failure and a shaky sense of worth. That contrast gave me the A-HA moment I needed, and shook me to my core. No matter what my bank account showed me, I felt the same fear and failure. So instead of ignoring it again, I made myself sit with that uncomfortable awareness, longer and longer. Almost as if I were saying, “look at what you’ve done.”  Then something shifted—another gift in the form of a book: The Mindful Self‑Compassion Workbook by Kristin Neff, PhD, and Christopher Germer, PhD. Instead of forcing myself to “learn the damn lesson,” I found the strength to honor my journey and give myself grace. I could literally see, feel, almost taste the change—in me, in the energy, in my awareness. And I wanted more. So I set aside 2-3 hours a day to reread, pray, and meditate as if my life depended on it. I was committed to moving past the limits I had created.  So here I am. I don’t know what the future holds for me or for this business, but I do know I’m more present, more self‑aware, and more compassionate (with myself). Every day I practice leading with faith over fear and compassion over grit. Where will this shift take me? Who knows. But I already feel lighter, with a new excitement for my future, this brand, and my life. -Allison

Designing clothes isn’t a straight line. It’s more like a winding path—with unexpected turns, small wins, frustrating setbacks, and sometimes… a complete U-turn back to where it all began. That's the story of the Becca Top. It started with a men’s undershirt The original idea behind Becca was personal. I always loved the look of a men’s V-neck undershirt—simple, effortless, easy to style. But as is often the case in fashion, something designed for men didn’t quite translate for women. It was always too tight in the wrong places, too long in the body, and totally lacking in shape. So I designed the Becca to be a solution: a knit top that looked like the classic staple I loved, but actually fit a woman’s body—our bodies. I added bust darts (my factories were confused by this detail). And gave it a subtle, curved hem. And I decided to go all in on a design detail few would notice but every wearer would feel: a hem facing. This is a more couture-style finish that helps the top lay beautifully, even after many washes and wears. It also made the style much more difficult and expensive to produce. But I was determined to do it the right way. Because it wasn’t just about how the Becca looked. It was about how it felt—on your skin and for our self-esteem. Then came the hard part Over the years, the Becca became one of our best-selling styles. But behind the scenes, it was always a bit of a puzzle. The pattern was tricky. The sewing was time-consuming. Factories in both Hawai‘i and California tried their hand at producing it—but it always took extra attention, extra time, and extra care. And for that reason, a lot of factories and seamstresses have a hard time making this style and the costs and mistakes started to add up.  Eventually, little inconsistencies started creeping in. A slightly too tight sleeve here. A shorter hemline there. A top that once felt just right began to feel a bit… off. At first, it was a half-inch discrepancy. Then an inch. Small changes that slowly pulled the Becca away from her original intent. And when this started to happen on repeat, I knew we had two choices: let it continue, or stop everything and fix it. We chose the second. Back to the beginning It’s taken us almost six months to get here. But we went back to the drawing board, pulled out the original vision for Becca, and got to work. We revised the pattern, tested the fit, questioned every detail, and made sure it aligned with my first intention. With love, time, and help from our dedicated customers and team (including Ashley, our resident Becca fan club president), we’re proud to bring you the refreshed, restored, original-fit Becca Top. Restored back to it's original glory! A limited re-launch, in two beloved colors During the redesign, we also stumbled on a few extra bolts of fabric in Matcha and Ocean—two current color favorites. So we cut a small run of Becca's in both, just for this moment. If you’re a longtime Becca fan, we hope you feel the difference. And if you’re new to her, we’re so excited to reintroduce her with intention and integrity. Why this story matters We’re sharing all of this not just to talk about a top, but to remind you of something we hold close: we are a work in progress. We make mistakes. We revise. We question. We reimagine. And we're committed to doing it better each time—f for you, for our community, and for ourselves. Thank you for being here—for trusting us, for growing with us, and for sticking by our side as we evolve. We hope the Becca Top reminds you that perfection isn’t the point. Progress is. Grateful to my team for working so hard on this project and to you, for your continued love and support . . . THANK YOU!Allison 

It’s been a minute since I last shared an update with you. These past few months have been a journey—one of surrender, learning, and going with the flow. Our lease at Manoa Marketplace ended in May, and while I thought I had a plan for our next steps, the Universe clearly had something different in store. To be honest, the transition was messy and uncomfortable. I didn’t have a clear destination for our next home base, and that made me feel like I was failing as a leader. I couldn’t give my team the clarity I wanted to, and for a while, it felt like we were just floating day to day. Then came the signs—starting with a trip to LA in March that ended with me pulling my back (well, technically, my hip gave out and got so tight I couldn’t even stand or walk properly). That forced me to pause. To rest. To surrender. By April, after physical therapy and a lot of meditation, I started envisioning a new plan: moving the team into a residential home as our new office. Much like I needed bed rest to recover, I realized our team needed space and stillness to heal and realign. As an Aries rising (and a classic Sagittarius), I’m naturally go-go-go—all fire, all forward motion. But this season has asked me to do the opposite: to slow down, listen, and trust. Honestly, moving into a house felt like a step backward at first. But I took a deep breath and whispered, "Okay, Universe. Let’s find a home." What followed were rejection after rejection as we looked for houses. Each “no” brought up memories from when I first started this business—those early days of bold vision and constant rejection. Over time, all that pushback made me more cautious, more hesitant. But all of this and the past couple of months ended up being a gift. It gave me space to revisit my original vision and redefine what this new chapter could look like—for myself, for the team, and for this business. And then, things started to shift. After about a dozen "no's", I stumbled upon the perfect space—an adorable 100-year-old home that checked all our boxes. Exactly what I asked for and in a few days, we signed a short lease and we have finally moved out of our Manoa Showroom space.  But before we fully settle in, we’re making one last "pit stop"—a pop-up shop for our Oʻahu community. If you're on island, come see us! Help us lighten our load and get a sneak peek of our newest styles and colors. Keep scrolling for the details of where and when. And, if you're not here on O'ahu or can't make it that weekend - thank you so so much, for all of your support, your kindness and generosity with me and this business. At 48 years old, I've been humbled by the lessons of the Universe/God and am working to stay in peaceful surrender . . . To listen more than I talk, to flow more than force, and to stay in gratefulness every minute of everyday. Sending you lots of love & lots of light . . .Allison 

Meet Allison—the owner and designer of Allison Izu.  Born and raised in Hawaii, she always thinks about what kind of impact her designs have and how that reflects the culture of Hawaii. To live in flow with nature, be comfortable, and enjoy life are the beliefs that she applies to her designs here at Allison Izu. Making sure that you feel comfortable, confident, and in flow during your day. Made so you can live a balanced, whole, and harmonious life. 

Earth Day is such a good reminder for all of us to pause and reflect—on how we live, what we consume, and the impact we leave behind. I wouldn’t say I’m a hardcore environmentalist, but I am someone who wants to leave this world better than I found it. So, every year, this day gives me a little nudge to be more intentional. At home, my kids and I talk a lot about how our everyday choices add up. We recycle, we buy food that’s grown closer to home (less travel = less impact), and we support local whenever we can. Even when it's something small, like spending the extra $25 for reef-safe sunscreen—it all adds up. Since my personal values are intertwined with the brand, a lot of this carries over into how I run the business. Supporting local has always been important to me. For years we produced everything right here in Hawaii, and even though we've moved production to California, it was a conscious choice to keep things close and Made in the USA. Did I know tariffs on imported goods were going to become a big deal? Nope, not all. But I did know that investing in our local economy—whether it’s in Hawaii or California—feels like the right thing to do. If we can create jobs and keep quality high, we’ll do it for as long as we can. We’ve also been working behind the scenes to source more sustainable fabrics. We’ve started collaborating with a few California-based mills to develop materials that match the drape and feel we love—but in a way that’s better for the planet. These new fibers—like Siro and Micro Modal—are made from more natural sources and break down more gently in the environment. They’ll also make your clothes feel even softer and last longer. These updates are coming, and I can’t wait for you to experience them! On a recent trip to LA, I also connected with some incredible new factories and suppliers who share our values—people doing things the right way with eco-friendly dye techniques, lower water usage, and a real dedication to quality. There’s so much to look forward to! These changes take time (fashion moves a little slower when you’re doing things consciously), but our goal is to transition our entire line by the end of 2025. Until then, we’re taking small steps, one change at a time. We’re also exploring a California-based warehouse to ship orders from, which would help cut down on the back-and-forth shipping we currently do between Hawaii and the mainland. It’s a big shift in how we operate—but not in why we do what we do. The heart of our brand is still rooted right here in Hawaii, with our values, our people, and our community. But this next phase could open up incredible opportunities, and I’m so excited for what’s ahead. So don’t worry—there won’t be any major price hikes from us because of tariffs. We’re still proudly 100% Made in the USA, using high-quality fabrics that we feel good about. But yes, change is coming. If you’ve been with us for a while, you know we’ve grown a lot over the years—through style shifts, new launches, openings & closings of our stores. And through it all, your support has meant everything. But shifting with the times is how we grow, and it's how I hope to bring these clothes—and this mission—to more women across the country, and maybe one day, around the world. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. Thank you for being on this journey with me, for supporting me, and for believing in what we’re building. I’m so deeply grateful. And I hope the choices we make here at Allison Izu continue to leave a mark—not just on the planet, but on you too. with love + light, Allison

A Reflection for Women's History Month. Now more than ever, I think we need to spread more light into the world. This month, we dedicate a spotlight to women—our accomplishments, our journey to equality, and our collective dreams for a better future. When the team asked me to write something for Women’s History Month, I started writing and I have to be honest - it was taking a turn for the worse. I was reviewing the history of women’s rights and I started to get frustrated, wondering—have women truly gained equality? And during this moment in history, it can sometimes feel scary like we’re going backwards. The progress we’ve made can feel slow, even uncertain. But after reflecting with my team, I re-focused. Rather than dwell on the struggles, I want to highlight the hope, resilience, and inspiring stories of the women who have shaped my journey. And have this blog be a part of the light that guides us to a better world, a better future for ALL. Growing up before social media, my access to role models came from newspapers, magazines, and encyclopedias. Of course, my mom, grandmother, and sister were more direct sources of influences, along with amazing teachers. But I also remember learning about Patsy Mink. Seeing someone from my small home state on a national platform made bigger dreams feel possible. Her work in passing Title IX paved the way for women to demand equality in more spaces traditionally dominated by men. Her words resonate deeply with me: “What you endure is who you are. I can't change the past. But I can certainly help somebody else in the future so they don't have to go through what I did.” Knowing that your actions today can affect positive change in the future or in someone else’s life is a beautiful thing, something that I work to live by everyday. Another notable Asian American woman who has inspired me is Vera Wang. As a young designer, I struggled to see a place for myself in the industry. Vera Wang changed that. She launched her bridal brand at 40, proving that it’s never too late to chase your dreams. Her transition from Vogue and Ralph Lauren to starting her own company was bold and inspiring. She reshaped the bridal industry, and her commitment to craftsmanship fueled my own passion for design. After graduating, I returned to Hawaii to design and hand-make wedding gowns. While couture fashion wasn’t widely embraced here at the time, the technical skills I developed continue to influence my designs today. Vera Wang once said, “A woman is never sexier than when she is comfortable in her clothes.” This philosophy is embedded in my approach—fashion should empower, not restrict. She was my connection into the world of couture, the example that  showed me it was possible to dream a bigger dream.  Of course, I can’t talk about fashion without mentioning Coco Chanel. In the 1920s, women designers were rare, and fashion was predominantly male-dominated. Yet, Coco Chanel revolutionized women’s fashion, prioritizing comfort and elegance. She was the first to use jersey fabric—originally made for men’s underwear—to create stylish, practical clothing for women. Her yacht pants freed women from skirts, allowing them to participate in sports and work more comfortably. Her work shifted societal norms and Chanel’s belief that “Fashion is architecture; it is a matter of proportions” shaped my own design philosophy. Fashion is about creating shapes and silhouettes that complement the wearer. Too often, when clothing doesn’t fit right, women blame their bodies when, in reality, it’s the design that is flawed. My goal has always been to craft designs that celebrate diverse body shapes, particularly for petite women like me. This is what inspired me throughout design school. Being able to take a flat piece of fabric and folding, shaping and seaming it to create a flattering shape for the wearer. This is where my understanding of design stems from, knowing that if something doesn't look right on your body - it's not your body, it's the architect of the design that is wrong. My goal has always been to be the architect of designs that will work for the unique (and many) shapes of women. To know that our industry uses one standard fit model always frustrated me. It has always been about freeing women from the confines of “cookie cutter designs” and allowing us all to understand that proportion is the main focus of all good design. So for us shorter women, there is no doubt that is why clothing has never looked right on our bodies, because the proportion was always wrong for us. Norma Kamali is another trailblazer who has impacted me deeply. I had the honor of meeting her at FIT when I was a student, and her energy was electric. She has always been about authenticity and pushing boundaries. She once said, “If you have a garment that you can wear and feel good in as many times as you like, and you didn't spend more than your rent on it, I've done my job.” This resonates with me—I believe in creating pieces that are both beautiful and practical. Fashion has the power to heal and transform. When we feel good in what we wear, we carry ourselves differently, and that confidence can be life-changing. “We all have periods of feeling invincible but this can slip away very easily,” she said. “The secret is to see how we can extend this because when we are feeling invincible, we can do great things.” A true statement that I want to live by and also that I want my brand to also represent. Like Norma Kamali, I am very aware of the “healing magic” that fashion can have on someone. How it can transform the way you see yourself and therefore how you present yourself to the world. My mission has always been to highlight the greatest parts of women, to feel invincible (or at least beautiful and relevant) so you can do great things! I truly believe that when we look good, we feel good! Lastly, a role model who has inspired me in my adult life is Michelle Obama. As First Lady, she balanced work, family, and public life with grace and strength. Her book Becoming speaks to the challenges of juggling multiple roles, a struggle I relate to as both a mother and business owner. I often ask myself, “What would Michelle Obama do?” when I need to find the perfect balance between mother-energy and boss-energy. One of her quotes that stays with me is: “The future of our world is only as bright as the future of our girls.” Investing in women and girls isn’t just about fairness—it’s about unlocking the full potential of our society. Reflecting on the women who’ve shaped my journey has been an important exercise in understanding who I am and who I strive to be. They remind me that we are all capable of making an impact and that our legacy is defined not just by what we achieve, but by how we uplift others along the way. As we celebrate Women’s History Month, I hope this inspires you to reflect on the women who have shaped your journey. And above all, I want you to remember this: YOU ARE WORTHY. Your life, your joy, and your happiness matter. Embracing your worth isn’t selfish—it’s necessary. Let’s continue to lift each other up, dream big, and create a future where all women are seen, heard, and celebrated. I remind myself as I write this, that my path may look different from those around me, but it is my unique path. There is nobody else who designs like me, or runs a business like me, or closes stores like me - LOL! (Read more about that here). But honestly, this blog has inspired me to remember who walked this path before me, who laid down the bricks to elevate the road, to be a little higher and a lot more smooth for me to walk. I don't ever take this life for granted because of this, I never forget my thread in the fabric of life, and how all of us are connected in a responsibility to create a better world for ALL. I hope you can remind yourself of that lesson as well, you matter, you are worthy and your life creates ripples of light and joy to many. As always, thank you for being on this journey with me.

I’ll start this message with the ending: Our last day at the Manoa Showroom will be Saturday, March 1, 2025. It was definitely time for us (ok - just me really) to pull the rip cord and make a final decision and set a date. I kept going back and forth, procrastinating because of the fear of the unknown—“Will the business survive without the showroom?”—instead of embracing the excitement of possibility—“What new opportunities will this create for us?” This has been my biggest lesson over the past year: shifting my mindset from fear to excitement. I always tell my kids that fear and excitement are two sides of the same coin—but this time, I was the one who needed to hear it. So, I flipped the coin. And honestly, there’s no reason to be afraid. My team and I have spent the last few months breaking free from old patterns, reimagining what Allison Izu can be. We’ve challenged ourselves, taken classes in marketing, advertising, e-commerce, operations, and costing—stretching our comfort zones, expanding our horizons to chart a new path.  Each of them has stepped up, pushed past their own personal limitations, and embraced this next chapter with open arms. Their dedication, love, and belief in this brand have been the wind in my sails, propelling us forward into uncharted but exciting territory. So, I invite you to join us for our last weekend at the Manoa Showroom on February 28 and March 1. And while this is the end of one chapter, we’re already looking ahead—planning a special event in Manoa at the end of March to release our Spring collection. Stay tuned for details! As for what comes next? I don’t have all the answers yet. But I do know this—whatever the universe has in store, I’m ready to receive it. With the love and creativity of my team, the grace and patience of my family, and the unwavering support of you—anything is possible. With love, gratitude, and excitement for what’s ahead,Allison 

Ok, so Lunar New Year is coming up and I am beyond excited. Anytime there is an opportunity to push me to change, evolve, or shed the old, I’m all about it! I welcome change with open arms. And this Lunar New Year is the Year of the Snake, which is a representation of transformation (yes please), wisdom (ok, why not), and intuition (yes, yes, yes PUHLEASE!). I'm so ready to refresh and reimagine what Allison Izu could be that I literally challenged my team the other day to shift their outlook and see this business as a new startup. I asked them: How would that change their decisions or how they approached their work? Leaving behind the old patterns, habits, and programming from our past to truly reimagine a bright, new, shiny future! On top of being the Year of the Snake, 2025 also holds symbolism in numerology. When you add the digits together, 2+0+2+5=9, and 9 in numerology is all about spiritual growth, completion, and wisdom. As the highest single-digit number, it’s considered very powerful and significant. Knowing all of this has given me the awareness and time to focus on my true purpose and how I can live more in alignment with this truth. The question I keep asking myself is, ‘What do you want, Allison?’ I want to create a business that supports my life. I no longer want to feel tied down by my brand; I want this business to give me the freedom and joy to live my wildest dreams. I want to be creative. I want to design and bring to life all the crazy, odd things that pop into my head late at night. And I want to build a brand that makes women feel amazing about themselves, giving everyone a taste of quality and uniqueness in their clothing. This year has shown me that every lesson, every hurdle, or difficulty I've worked through has led me here. Every “mistake” or “failure” has been a testing ground for me to build this brand in a new way. With fresh eyes and newfound excitement, I'm ready for January 29, 2025. This year is giving me a space to show up as my true, authentic self and share more sides of me.  Our next few collections will start to be the foundation of launching a new side of the brand with you. These collections will feature new top designs, best-selling bottoms and still have some of your favorite styles in versatile, basic colors that align with the transformation we’re embracing this year. The new designs were created to be an embodiment of growth, renewal, and stepping into a clearer vision of who we are—not just as a brand, but as a community. So stay tuned for all the new things we’ll be sharing with you soon!  And while I can’t see the full picture of how this evolution will unfold, I’m surrendering to the guidance the Universe is giving me and bringing you along for the journey. Every day is a new opportunity to reveal more of our true selves and share that with the world.  Are you ready for the Lunar New Year? Let’s embrace this year of transformation and growth together.