OUR STORY

Welcome to Daina Hugh: envisioned by Lavinia ’Ilolahia, a love letter to her grandmother.

Daina Hugh is the study of silhouette shaped by Polynesian perspectives, guided by traditional gestures of wrapping, layering, and shaping the body through cloth.

At the heart of Daina Hugh is an interplay between structure and ease that draw on the techniques and gestures found in traditional Polynesian wear. Each piece reflects a dialogue between heritage and modernity, between what is carried forward and what is reshaped, reimagining them through modern tailoring, sculpted textiles, and hand-worked details.

Every piece is crafted with respect for traditional methods and with deep attention to the Vā - understood through the lens of fashion as the space and relationship between body, fabric, land, and the people who shape them. This awareness guides Daina Hugh’s commitment to slow fashion, allowing each garment the time and intention needed to honor these connections.

Drawing on the skill of artisans whose practices echo those of the women who influenced Lavinia, the brand works closely with makers who understand the value of process. This often leads to intimate collaborations, celebrating the handmade as both memory and method.