By Nadine Kam

Bar Refaeli on the cover of Sports Illustrated much-read, or at least must-looked-at, Swimsuit Edition.

Maui’s Tori Praver may not have made the cover of Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit Edition, having lost that distinction to Leo Dicaprio’s girlfriend Bar Refaeli, but Maui is a big winner in the island fashion sweepstakes.

Sixteen-year old Maui native Talia Gangini, for one, was thrilled to discover one of her cone shell necklaces on the cover of the magazine, which means it will be seen by 66 million pairs of eyeballs.

Another of Talia Gangini’s neckalaces.

“I sent my swimwear and jewelry in so long ago, I’d almost forgotten about it,” she said in a press release. “Hundreds of designers are asked to send in pieces, I didn’t think I had much of a chance.” Check out her Pashey Desginz on her Web site at www.taliagangini.com.

On Maui, her work can be found at the Jewelry Studio of the Hui No’eau Visual Arts Centerin Makawao, and Hana Hwy Surf and Simmer Hawaii in Paia. Talia and her younger sister Tehani also create a line of swimsuits under the name Manini Gangini Bikini.

Bar Refaeli in Letarte.

Bar’s bikini is by Missoni, and while none of the sisters’ bikinis made it into the issue, three other Maui designers — Maui Girl, Letarte Swimwear, and Beauty and the Beach Hawaii — did.

Maui Girl, designed by Debbie Wilson, had two suits in the magazine, and another 25 featured on the SI Website. Maui Girl was also featured in 2008 and 2006.

Letarte Swimwear, helmed by local designer Lisa Letarte Cabrinha, has four swimsuits in the issue and hundreds more online. This is the 9th year that Letarte Swimwear has had, with the most famous feature being the teeny red bikini on the cover in 2005.

Beauty and the Beach Hawaii is the new addition to the Maui legacy. Co-owners and designers Katie Wilson and Tami Snodgrass had two suits in the issue.

Congratulations to all! The wait must’ve been long, but worth the suspense.

This entry was posted on Friday, February 13th, 2009 at 3:26 pm and is filed under swimsuit, media. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.