Following the Horizon: The Next Chapter for Allison Izu
One of my favorite books is The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. In the story, Santiago embarks on a quest to find his purpose, and along the way, he discovers himself. For me, the power of the story lies not in the destination but in the journey.
As I reflect on my own path, the decision to close our Mānoa Showroom feels like one chapter in a much larger book. It’s not the beginning and it’s not the end. It’s a pivotal moment—where there’s a horizon full of possibilities. Like Santiago, I’m learning to embrace the uncertainty, to stand in awe of what’s ahead, and to move forward with hope, even when the road feels dark.
What’s truly incredible is that the moment I committed to closing the Showroom—after months of going back and forth—a new possibility revealed itself. Almost as if by magic, a new “method” of creating unfolded before me. One that felt deeper, fuller, and truer to my vision. The first spark? The idea of creating our own custom colors.
The Journey So Far
As a small brand based in Hawaiʻi, designing has always been a dance between creativity and resources. In the early days, I worked with what I had: leftover fabrics and prints aka “deadstock” from bigger brands. I turned those “lemons” into lemonade, making the best of what was available.
As the business grew, so did our options. I began working with suppliers who offered a wide range of colors and fabrics, opening up new opportunities for the brand. This evolution brought a noticeable shift in the quality of our designs and the elevated feel of our colors and fabrics.
But even then, something was missing. The colors and materials available were still limited and didn’t fully embody what I envision as Allison Izu. We’ve ventured out and created a few custom colors and prints and bit the bullet of higher costs. And as a business owner, I constantly balanced my creative dreams with the price point our customers expect.
A New Horizon
When I finally made the decision to close the Showroom, something shifted. It was as if a part of my brain unlocked, and suddenly I could see glimpses of the future of Allison Izu. Colors and prints no longer felt like constraints; they became opportunities. I envisioned designs that were 100% us—custom colors, unique prints, and premium-quality fabrics.
One of my goals has always been to offer premium fabrics and designs at a more affordable cost. And while some people may still think our price point as “too expensive,” they often don’t realize the level of care that goes into each piece: the hours of design work, patternmaking, fittings on top of a higher quality fabric. These details all go into making our styles feel special when you wear them, even if they’re not immediately visible. And now, I’m focusing on our next horizon:
- Elevating the quality of our fabrics even further.
- Creating all of our own custom colors and prints.
This vision is about more than just clothing. It’s about building a system of dressing and styling that simplifies your life while bringing you comfort and confidence.
A Preview of What’s to Come
Our upcoming Holiday Collection offers a small taste of this new direction. Every piece is a reflection of colors and prints that are 100% Allison Izu—deep, rich hues designed to mix and match seamlessly, paired with timeless, unique prints. It’s a window into what’s ahead: a wardrobe system that’s versatile, elevated, and truly one of a kind.
As we move toward this horizon, I want to thank you for being part of this journey. Your support has allowed me to dream bigger and create better. Together, we’re walking toward something new, something exciting. And I can’t wait to share it with you every step of the way.
With gratitude,
Allison
