We were lucky to catch up with Olga Napohaku recently and have shared our conversation below.

Olga, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

I have been a designer in the fashion industry all of my adult life. As a teenager I always dreamt of owning my own company. I spent many years designing fashion such as day dresses, jeans, maternity wear of all types, and intimate apparel. During the intimate apparel years I really fell in love with all the laces and how beautiful the bridal honeymoon gowns looked.

My daughter mentioned that she wanted me to design her wedding dress when she one day gets married. She gave me a purpose to look at the bridal industry in a new way.

I started to day dream of beautiful bridal accessories she could wear. She became my muse and I dove into creating bridal veils, capes, removable trains, and any other fashion accessory I could think of to design and create.

It became such a sentimental feeling, it inspired me to add discreetly hidden wedding dates on exclusive one of a kind items. Creating heirloom bridal accessories to keep the families connected is my goal..

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My Name is Olga Napohaku I have always wanted to be in fashion as a kid. After High School I went to Fashion Industry of Merchandise and Design in Los Angeles. ( FIDM )

I grew in the fashion industry working my way up to eventually become a designer for many different brands from day dresses, to intimate apparel designing honeymoon gowns or wedding night fashions for luxury store brands.

I learned about how special the wedding industry is and how the impact of a wedding day can be for the whole family.

That’s the reason why I chose accessories. Accessories can be passed down to generations. One of a kind details can be created to share love storys that are cherished.

I believe,” You only have one opportunity in life to wear a veil…. Let’s make it memorable!” truly it’s in my heart.

So when I embroider the wedding date on an accessory or create an accessory from a vintage gown that was used by a mother or grandmother I feel so proud and honored. Gosh, I was able to help weave the family connections.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

Most of my clients have come from meeting face to face or through word of mouth.

Face to Face= Bridal shows, these are great because we can talk about what they are looking for and how I can help thm create a custompersonalized accessory

Wedding Planners= I work with a few wedding planners that know what my special niche is so they recommend HKB.

Bridal Salons= They also know my niches of a sentimental heirloom so they will send brides to me.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

When I started this business I was nieve thinking that all the bride would come noking at my door. I learned quickly
I really had to go out and start introducing myself. It was so scary. I had to create a special niche that I was proud to talk about.

Once I really understood what I bring to the table as a hopeles romantic creative person I was able to intruduce my work with confidence.

It did take me some time to really dig deep and see what’s meaningful and thoughtful. I didn’t want to be trendy I wanted quality meaningful work for my clients. That’s why I sew evey item by hand using quality trims and fabrics and thats why I embroidery wedding dates on every item we make.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.hannahkananibridal.com
• Instagram: @hannahkananibridal
• Facebook: Hannah Kanani Bridal
• Yelp: Hannah Kanani Bridal
• Other: Pinterest;

  Hannah Kanani Bridal

Image Credits

@summerhopperphotography
@kaylagoertzcreative

-Summer ( photographer)
-Kayla ( photographer)

_Keenan (bride)
-Lauren-(bride)
-Melissa (bride)
-Noemy (bride)