From the Editor: Saying Aloha, Not Goodbye
Businesses come and go, but some take a piece of your heart when they do.
Swizzle, the beloved Tiki restaurant and bar in Dallas, recently closed its brick-and-mortar doors, and I’ve been feeling the loss deep in my soul. I’ve been a fan of Tiki for years, but during my Swizzle years, I truly became a Tikiphile. I have truly come to appreciate the Tiki culture and the sense of community it fosters between all who participate.
Swizzle in Dallas was never just an eatery or a place to get a cocktail. It was a hideaway, a full-sensory passport to somewhere far away. It served up more than cocktails and Polynesian-inspired plates (excellent Moco Loco!); it dished out friendships, memories, and a sense of belonging that’s rare in any space, let alone one filled with amazingly eclectic, vintage Tiki decor and dim lighting. It was my tropical escape for five years, and I know I’m not alone. There, I have made lifelong friends. I met my peeps. I found my tribe.
Through the years, every staff member of Swizzle has contributed to the knowledge I’ve acquired about Tiki culture, and a few very special people there have not only taught me everything I know about rum but also encouraged my own foray into home cocktails and helped me discover the flavor profiles that really resonate with my palate.
That same sense of community and creative self-expression lives on in the modern revival of Tiki. In this issue, we look at the vintage designs and fashions that have come around again in a full style circle. We are also celebrating how vintage clothing and a love for theatrical flair help bring the Tiki lifestyle to life—not just over craft cocktails and fun-filled events but in the closets and hearts of the people who keep the movement going.
This issue is brimming with fashion history and artistry. Our sales reports highlight some truly remarkable moments: a Harlem-born zoot suit that strutted to three times the estimate, Golden Age Hollywood costume sketches by Edith Head, Givenchy, and Walter Plunkett pulling five-figure bids, and the scuffed, original Hermès Birkin that just reset the handbag market at $10 million.
We also dive into the timeless elegance of Erté, whose Art Deco masterpieces still captivate collectors, explore Napier’s bold and surprising 1960s jewelry designs, and revisit the enduring allure of Ceil Chapman, the designer who dressed Monroe, Taylor, and other Old Hollywood bombshells with unmatched grace. Plus, our Collectors Gallery showcases your latest finds, we unfold the fascinating story of World War II silk escape maps, and more.
Every story this month reminds us that what we wear and collect says something about who we are. That’s especially true in the world of Tiki, where fashion, flair, and fellowship go hand in hand. And for those of us lucky enough to have called Swizzle our hideaway, we know that the magic isn’t just in the décor or the drinks.
Swizzle is closing its doors, but not its story. Owners Jen and Marty Reyes have built something that can’t be packed up and stored, and their story is not over. Swizzle, Mahalo for EVERYTHING. May the ohana you’ve created be forever strong.
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