Our Story

Lava Luau started with a problem.

I was heading to a wedding in Hawaii and wanted something that felt right for the setting, but still matched my style. I looked everywhere for Hawaiian or tiki-inspired clothing that felt modern, bold, and wearable.

It wasn’t there.

Most of what I found felt dated, overly traditional, or just didn’t reflect how people actually dress now.

Around the same time, I was spending more time in Los Angeles and getting into the tiki scene. What stood out wasn’t just the nostalgia, it was how people were reinterpreting it. Classic ideas, but with a fresh, creative edge.

That clicked.

With a background in fashion and experience running a custom apparel shop, I stopped looking for something to wear and started building it instead.

Lava Luau is the result of that shift.

It takes the foundation of classic aloha wear and pushes it forward. Stronger patterns, cleaner fits, and pieces that feel current without losing the original influence.

What We Make

The brand is built around three directions:

Modern Floral
Tropical patterns, sharpened and reworked to feel clean, bold, and current.

Neo Classics
A more experimental side, pulling from synthwave, digital textures, and modern color.

Tropical Oddities
Playful, character-driven designs inspired by the more offbeat side of tiki culture.

Where It Fits

Lava Luau is designed for real environments.

Bars, resorts, events, travel, anywhere people want to stand out without looking like a costume.

From shirts and dresses to footwear and matching sets, everything is made to feel intentional and easy to wear.
About the Designer

Michael Yale

Lava Luau is built by designer Michael Yale, with a background in fashion and years of hands-on experience in custom apparel.

Based in Los Angeles, his work draws from the city’s nightlife, creative culture, and modern take on tiki.

Before launching Lava Luau, he ran a custom design studio in Hollywood, working as part of Local 705 to create designs, garments, and costumes for celebrity clients, film, television, commercials, and music videos.

Years spent in production shaped a practical approach to design, focusing on what actually works, not just what looks good on screen. That experience carries through into every piece, with an emphasis on bold visuals, clean execution, and clothing that performs in real environments.

Michael’s background in fashion started early. At 14, frustrated with not finding what he wanted to wear, he began learning to sew and design, creating his own pieces from scratch. He later studied at the Savannah College of Art and Design, refining his skills in sewing, garment construction, graphic design, and textile design.

Lava Luau is built on that foundation.