■A Special Piece from a Long-Established Aloha Shirt Brand
SUN SURF Special Edition | THE SPACE SHIP
・Faithfully recreates vintage specifications, including prints and stitching
・An “authentic reissue” featuring the actual manufacturer’s name on the label
・Collector’s edition complete with a special tag and case
・A classic design depicting the dreams and romance of the dawn of space exploration
・Long-awaited release following a postponement to 2025
This is the Spring/Summer 2026 model from the “Sun Surf Special Edition” series—a line that reissues pieces of particularly high historical value from the catalog of “Sun Surf,” a long-established brand dedicated to exploring the charm of vintage aloha shirts.
This piece is “THE SPACE SHIP,” a popular design featured in the vintage aloha shirt reference book *Master Book of Hawaiian Shirts* (supervised by SUN SURF) and one for which there has been constant demand for a re-release ever since its one-time reissue in 2000.
Created by “KUONAKAKAI,” the original brand of the long-established manufacturer National Shirt Shops—founded in the early 1900s—this design humorously depicts the future space world as envisioned by people at the time, featuring a spaceship with the charming appeal of a tin toy, as well as satellites and space stations.
In 1958, the successful launch of “Explorer 1,” the first American satellite, ushered in the era of space exploration.
This piece vividly captures the excitement and longing for the future that defined that era.
Its design—a fusion of a retro-futuristic worldview and the free-spirited creativity unique to vintage aloha shirts—remains a beloved classic that continues to captivate many collectors to this day.
■What is the Sun Surf Special Edition?
This series revives carefully selected masterpieces from Sun Surf’s vast collection of vintage aloha shirts, offering a finish that is the envy of fans.
Paying homage to the textile designers who created these masterpieces—which are gradually fading from memory with the passage of time—the series faithfully recreates every aspect of their charm, from the luxurious multicolored prints and striking designs to the intricate details that vary by manufacturer and era.
The labels feature the original manufacturer’s name in an “authentic reproduction” style, and the shirts come with exclusive tags and cases, making them special items worthy of any collector’s collection.
■Fabric and Prints That Recreate the Vintage Look
The fabric is made of filament rayon, the material synonymous with aloha shirts.
It features a supple drape and an elegant sheen, allowing you to enjoy the beautiful texture unique to rayon when worn.
The print employs the discharge printing technique commonly used on vintage aloha shirts.
By bleaching the fabric before applying dye, the colors are vivid, and the contrast with the base color makes motifs such as spaceships and satellites stand out vividly.
■ Details That Thoroughly Recreate the Original
The appeal lies in the meticulous craftsmanship modeled after the original, such as the slightly smaller short-point collar and the shape of the pockets.
For the Sun Surf Special Edition, we create custom patterns for each piece to faithfully reproduce the original specifications, meticulously capturing the atmosphere of the era down to the finest details of the silhouette.
■ Special Features Unique to a Collector’s Item
As proof of its Special Edition status, the shirt comes with a specially designed case and tag.
More than just a reissue, this shirt is crafted to be a special piece that carries on the culture and history of vintage aloha shirts, offering the joy of ownership.
・Made in Japan
・100% Rayon
Size Chart(cm)
Size/Back Length/Chest/Shoulder/Sleeve
S(36)/65.5/48/45/22
M(38)/68.5/51/48/23
L(40)/71.5/55/50/24
XL(42)/73/57/52/24.5
XXL(44)/76/59/56/25.5
