Looking at the history of Hawaiian fashion, two masterful pieces stand out and have done so since the 1820s: the holoku and mu‘umu‘u dresses. For textile and apparel designer, Tsia Carson, these traditional garments ignited a fire of inspiration.

“I loved Hawaiian dresses before I even knew what they were called,” Carson shares. “I loved the prints and the forms. There was all this detail on them that was exquisite.” During extensive research, she recognized a need to update what was available in everyday aloha wear. In 2014, the then-Honolulu resident launched her brand, Language of the Birds (ofthebirds.com).

Combining East Coast style with loose and open cuts ideal for the tropics, each piece embodies the versatility that’s well suited for work and play. The company artfully blends bold patterns, abundant colors and intentional graphics while keeping history at its core. The Alewa print, for example, was inspired by Alewa Heights — a Honolulu neighborhood densely packed with houses built on a steep incline. Carson’s vision is clear: “I see (designs) as opportunities to really explore things and connect with people. To talk about history. To create a line that goes back through time and hopefully connects to the future.”

This past spring was a testament to her vision coming to life when design enthusiasts everywhere were able to learn about her island-inspired work now on full display. The most popular prints – Rainbow, Pareo and Alewa – were accessioned into the Rhode Island School of Design Museum, where it’ll be showcased as an example of excellence and a teaching tool for tomorrow’s innovative printmakers and beyond. “That was a humongous honor,” Carson says. “I want to help people talk about a better world that respects a sense of place and takes clothes seriously as a place of cultural meaning.”

Today, Carson resides and continues operating the brand in upstate New York. She is now pushing production on more of the Bianca and Watteau dresses and a longer version of the Bib dress that customers can look forward to.

Wearing Language of the Birds means encapsulating two feelings: “Comfortable and beautiful,” Carson says. “You wear them when you really want to feel the fullness of yourself and to feel confident, grounded, and invincible.” To Carson, that’s destiny fulfilled. “When I see people wearing the designs, I’m just moved. My heart sings because I know that that person is really happy in what they’re wearing.”