“Ole! Ole! It’s Showtime!”
For those of you who have been reading Atomic Redhead for awhile will recall the treasure I came across back in January of 2012, a pantsuit made of Enchanted Tiki Room fabric. I learned from designer and former cast member, Kevin Kidney that in the mid-60s Disneyland not only sold mens shirts and ladies dresses in the delightful print, but also sold the fabric itself for guests to purchase and take home to make a one-of-a-kind souvenir. And today I got to welcome another homemade Enchanted Tiki Room garment into my home.
I received an e-mail from the owner of this dress, who had found my blog when doing research on the garment. She stated that the dress didn’t fit her, and she wished to sell it. But since it was such a unique item, she was curious as to the best way to sell it, and I promptly told her I would be interested in purchasing the dress. She sent my some wonderful pictures and the measurements, and we agreed to a price and soon the dress was headed my way.
The dress is a classic shift, with no shape, but extremely well made, complete with fabric covered buttons and pockets! I thought of putting in darts, but I hated the idea of altering something some rare, also noting that the darts would ruin the print. But a belt quickly solved the problem.
What possibly I love the most about this dress is that it has the label that was given along with the fabric for the guest to sew in after making the garment. My pantsuit lacked it.
It’s extremely comfortable too! We’re planning on going to Disneyland sometime in late September or October, and September 22nd brings the newly established Tiki Day at Disneyland, and this would be perfect for it!
Disneyland produced three different fabrics that were tiki themed. Two of which were the same print, but in two different color schemes, green (such as the pantsuit, which you can see in action here and here) and purple, such as this dress. The other was a tiki mask, skull and native print (viewable in the pantsuit entry). Now I just need to get my hands one a dress made of that third print. Anyone got one?
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I’m in love with that fabric.
How cute! A few years ago they did a repro of all the old pre-made garments for the 60’s and my mom managed to snag a muumuu in the green colour way via ebay. I’m always on the hunt for originals though! How very lucky for you to get TWO! And now I am dying for a Disney day (as soon as it’s not so hot!!)!
I couldn’t quite believe it when I saw your pantsuit, and now there is a dress as well?! What a completely amazing fabric. I would love to see it if you ever get your hands on something with the third print.
Amazing fabric! You lucky girl! You may have been, but just in case, check out Trader Sam’s at the Disney Hotel on your next visit. They have incorporated so many fun aspects from the Enchanted Tiki Room into that place. 😉
Wow, that’s incredible. Not only that you find two such extraordinary garments that fit you so well, but also that they are made of this fabrics and have survived for so long. Though Disneyland must have had many visitors back in the 60ies already, this wasn’t a fabric purchaseable on every street corner, and you managed to find two garments made out of it. So cool.
But why don’t they produce things like this anymore (at least not in Europe, as you mentioned the reprints)? Every time I walk into a Disney Store they only sell cheap plastic stuff and hilarious, badly made fancy dress. Maybe I will have to pay a visit to Disney-Land in Paris to see if they sell more interesting stuff there.
What a find! You never know what treasure will head our way. You look fab!
This dress is positively bursting with joyfulness! The colours, the playful print, the classic cut, it’s just all so marvelous and happy! What a great story of how it came to be yours, dear Janey – there’s no one else on earth it’s better suited to live with.
♥ Jessica
Hi! I recently found your blog and just wanna say, you are awesome! How could I resist a name like Atomic Redhead?? My family are all HUGE Disneyland fans, and this post is amazing!! I had to go back and see the pantsuit- WOW to both!!!
~xoxo, CoriLynn
The power of the internet! I love the colors in this one even more than your pantsuit. But now I’ve got “In the Tiki tiki tiki tiki tiki room” running through my head!
What an interesting fabric and so fabulous! 🙂
I knew it, I knew it ! The minute I looked at this fabric I said “that’s Disney’s fabric” Scrolled down and there it was. How do I know this? I’m so “vintage” that I worked at Disneyland when they still had the actual Tiki Room. I worked in AdventureLand and it was part of that area. I got some of their wonderful material and made muu-muu’s for mom and grandma.
I wore a sarong type dress for the Tiki Hut where I worked.
Yikes, such memories! I think I can still hear that darn parrot going full strength all day !!
Thank you and by the way, you look outstanding in the outfit !!
Perfect for you! My dad would have loved you in this dress (and teased you no end). He loved that Tiki Room. Next up, how about a Jungle Cruise outfit for Patrick to make me even more nostalgic?
You look amazing in the dress, colors look perfect on you, also in love with your pantsuit, wow! I am obsessed with Hawaiian themed vintage, I would love to get my hands on one of those pantsuits 🙂
The colours in this print are beautiful! What an interesting and awesome addition to your collection. Hope you find the 3rd piece!
Lucky gal! You look great in it too!
xoxo,
Tina
What an amazing find!
Lovely!! I have a bit of Tiki Room fabric that I’ve been holding onto for years – just trying to figure out what to make with it.
Hi! I will be at Tiki Day too in Disneyland this year! Would loe to meet you. My mom found some vintage Tiki room fabric and made it into a pillow! Love all your outfits!
Wonderful! I’m sure we will meet, since there are so many wonderful group moments. I’ll be wearing this, so I should be easy to spot! 🙂 Take a picture of your pillow! I’d love to see it!