YOU SHOULD KNOW: SANDRA TORY OF S.TORY STANDARDS
Sandra Tory is the designer/owner of S.TORY Standards. Recently, she debuted a new collection of swim and ready to wear, called Elements, inspired by, you guessed it, the elements: specifically Earth, Wind, Fire, Water.
The story behind S.TORY Standards is one that began in 2012, in Sandra's Oahu home. For fall 2015, she's added a ready to wear line, featuring sleek styles—from simple to down-right sexy—so you can create a wardrobe story that's unique to you.
Photo by Harold Julian
INSPIRATION FOR RECENT COLLECTION
With all collections, my inspiration is the "not so ordinary woman." The woman who is confident enough to not care what others think about what she wears or looks like, but is completely comfortable in her own skin. Effortless chic, sexy and sultry...I am inspired by Hawaii, the women here and the beauty each one possesses. This upcoming year, I added ready to wear to my line. So we will have S.TORY Standards Swim and S.TORY Standards Basics. Dark Earthy/neutral tones, sexy designs, staple basics and luxurious fabrics were the focal point of this collection.
photo by Simone Komine
LOCAL FAVORITES
Oh...that's tough! Some favorite boutiques here on Oahu include We Are Iconic, Mori Hawaii, Mikinola, Guava Shop and Rebecca Beach to name a few. As for restaurants, I love Pho King in Wahiawa, it's my favorite spot and so close to my house. I love getting drinks at Luis Buenos in Haleiwa. Banzai Sushi Bar has the best sushi and ambience. Maharani for Indian food. Diamond Head Grill for everything and anything. Brunch and tea at the Kahala Hotel (really anything at the Kahala Hotel). Taniokas for poke bowls, Haleiwa Bowls for acai bowls, Kahumanu Farms, Mililani Farmers' Market on Wednesday and Sunday...I could go on forever I just realized, so I'll stop here.
Photo by Harold Julian
IDEAL STAYCATION
St. Regis Princeville Resort and going home to my parents house in Makaha Valley
Photo by Simone Komine
THE BEST DAYS ARE SPENT
With family and friends, with lots of wine and laughs. And puppies, I need to have puppies.
BEST BEACH
Makaha Surf and Ke Ikis
Photo by Simone Komine
CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT
Local vegetables and fruits, and my dog Sherman
WE SHOULD KNOW
I think that Hawaii is crawling with some of the most creative people in the world simply because we are surrounded by such natural beauty and inspiration is so readily available—not to mention the influence from so many cultures in one melting pot. I admire anyone who puts themselves out there to be viewed by the public. They are basically taking their daydreams, and the things they create layer by layer in their mind and spend hours and hours trying to make that vision a reality for others to try to understand. It's risky business and a super vulnerable process. That alone is admirable. So, basically anyone in Hawaii running a creative business: musicians, photographers, painters, illustrators, designers of clothing or anything tangible...high five. Cause it's hard, but so, so fun.
Photo by Harold Julian
WHY HAWAII?
I've always told people that I feel so blessed because living in Hawaii. You meet so many people who spend their whole life trying to find where they "belong." I was lucky enough to be born where I belong. There are plenty of beautiful places in the world, and I've been to a lot of them, but I just 100% identify with this place. And it doesn't get any better than that.
Photo by Simone Komine
Shop S.TORY Standards' Elements Collection here.