when acacia swimwear reached out to us about partnering up for miami swim week this year, we were thrilled to be the exclusive beauty brand included in their runway show’s vip gift bag, and even more thrilled when we found out acacia’s founder, owner and lead designer, the lovely naomi newirth, was a personal fan of kai. after connecting with her, i learned naomi’s path to creating acacia was quite similar to mine in creating kai; while growing up on maui, naomi found it very difficult to find that perfect bikini and so began sewing her own swimsuits at a young age. her early twenties brought naomi to bali where she was introduced to a world of design opportunities and in 2008, she graduated with a fashion degree in merchandise marketing. of course, we are both also inspired by the beauty of the tropics and the hawaiian islands. since the brand’s conception, naomi has stayed true to her vision and her passion, taking swimwear to a new level, and we are so glad to have her as this month’s kai conversation.

xo,
gaye.

p.s. together with our friends at acacia swimwear and olympia activewear, we have designed a luxury giveaway package featuring prizes from all three brands. enter here. good luck!
how do you embody kai's "breath * life * flow" lifestyle?
living in hawaii is an easier lifestyle in some ways - obviously the weather and living more outdoors - but there is a slower pace, too - on an island sometimes you just have to go with the flow which is good and on a professional level can be tricky at times but there is also a lot of health conscious practitioners - yoga, alternative medicines, etc...

what's the best advice you've ever received?
do what you love because you will be spending most of your days doing it.

what's your beauty secret? or must-have beauty product?
my facialist has recently got me onto yakana facial products that i have really been loving.

go-to lipstick color?
nude.
what color nail polish are you wearing right now?
i mostly don't wear nail polish on fingers as i use my hands so much but i do get pedis and my go-to color is a taupe - pale grayish nude.

kai obsession?
i love your body butter and deodorant.

how would you describe your personal style?
relaxed jeans, cut offs, and a tee or button-downs are my uniform.

what do you love most about where you live? any secret spots you love to go to?
a rustic house in the town of hana on maui. it's the perfect way to decompress and relax from the every day stresses of life, adulting, motherhood, and owning a business.
describe your perfect day.
fresh juice, make breakfast for my baby boy, go to office, then to gym, end of day take hunter to beach - go for a swim, and have a healthy dinner prepared for me waiting at home.
ultimate getaway?
i would love to take my family on an african safari.

favorite food?
hard to nail down a favorite. just depends on my mood. i love food. i love healthy food but also love a good pasta or mexican meal.

guilty pleasure?
 i have a sweet tooth.

morning person or night owl?
i turned into a night owl now that i am a mother, i can get more work down after hunter goes to sleep.

ideal way to relax or unwind?
beach, surf, swim, yoga.
thank you, naomi! xo.