PONO is Hawaiian for righteousness. Joan Goodman, creative director of Bobbi Trim LTD- a NY based button company, and head designer of the PONO accessory line lived in Hawaii back in the late seventies. PONO, as the line is called, was inspired by a close friend of the designer who epitomized the "Aloha Spirit." Joan's charming personality and care-free spirit are obvious once you enter the showroom.

She is always in good spirits even when faced with the tremendous deadlines of finishing the PONO collection simultaneously with Bobbi Trim button line. Ironically the PONO accessory collection is manufactured at the same factory in Bergamo, Italy that the buttons are made in. Joan loves "the creativity, technology and environmental consciousness of Italy," and would never sacrifice the quality for a cheaper production market.

With a full accessory collection ranging from hand bags, to necklaces, earrings and brooches, the line offers something for every budget and look. Retail prices range from $110, for a thin shell bangle and up to $850 for one of the laser cut designs. The collection has been picked up by Neiman Marcus, Saks 5th Avenue, Bergdorf Goodman and several trendy boutiques since its launch in January 2003.

In a completely inundated accessories market, PONO has created a niche and has a particular following. One such piece that Joan considers timeless is the horn bangle, which she cites as a PONO "signature." We laser them, we dye them, we leave them to their own natural beauty. We have done them from the beginning and I can see doing them for years to come." The attention to detail here is stringent. Production pieces will often be rejected if they are not in the original color as the original samples, as I have witnessed myself in the past.

In an interview with Joan Goodman we posed some questions about how the line has grown, and with that growth some of the growing pains she has experienced.

Fashion Ledge: In terms of design what are some chances that you might have taken before that you are more cautious about at this point? Joan: In the past I found myself ordering too much inventory. My goal is to order the right amount of inventory to satisfy all my customers’ needs and not be overloaded at the end of the season."

Fashion Ledge: What is the greater joy for you, designing the collection (and knowing you have been true to yourself), or walking the street and seeing someone wearing your product (and realizing that they understood what you were trying to accomplish through the design process)?

Joan: Designing the collection, being in the factory in Italy, watching each process unfold, constantly testing new ideas and doing the colors is great joy for me [as is the] accomplishment and completion at the end of each day. She has sought to stay true to herself and that alone has given Joan joy. After spending some time with Joan, one truly understands when she says "PONO mixes the exoticness of Hawaii with the sophistication of Italy and the urban chic of New York." It is quite evident in the showroom, in her personality, and those who surround her during the work day.

For more information on PONO:
PONO
132 West 36th Street
New York, NY 10018
Phone: 212-216-0022 or 1-866-336-PONO
www.pono4bobbitrim.com
Evelyn Adila/ Helaine Szabo