say hi hi to hai hai

Erin and Laura from Hai Hai Official are every bit as kawaii as their bubbly, colourful, cabochon-filled exterior makes out. After meeting them for the first time at the HowTwoLive book launch and making my very own DIY phone case (which has attracted many a complement), I just had to get in touch for an interview to find out more about their story.

I: What inspired you to create Hai Hai?

E: We are both really creative people and we have always loved anything Japanese inspired!

L: It was a trend already existing in Japan, we just put our own personal ‘spin’ on it.

I: Where do you see your brand going in 2 years time?

E: It will be a next level Kawaii empire!

L: We’d like to have more mega cute products for our customers to enjoy

I: What has been your most memorable experience from running Hai Hai?

E: Working together! Even though we fight sometimes! Sister-lyf!

L: All the cool stuff we’ve been lucky enough to be involved in because of the business - like the How Two Live DIY Book Launch.

I: What is your favourite place in the world?

E: Japan!

L: Japan! We should probably both just move there!

I: What do you like most about working together as sisters?

E: Its a great way to spend time in each other’s lives doing something we both love.. I’m defs the bossy one though!

L: We both have the same view on how the business should go and the direction we need to be in. Our work is very similar so everything always looks really cohesive!

I: If you could become one of your cabochons, which one would you choose?

E: Baby Pink Love Heart Popsicle!

L: Giant Hot Pink Donut!

I: As a part of the massive social media movement, what do you like and dislike about using things like Instagram and facebook as a part of your brand?

E: We sometimes get people saying negative things which isn’t nice when we’re just trying to work hard and be passionate about our products

L: A heaps of insta-celebs have endorsed our products which has been such a great help for us! And they have all been so generous to us! Some we would even call friends of ours now!

I: How did you develop your 'kawaii’ style?

E: We just woke up one day and realised Hello Kitty was our lives! Haha!

L: We just can’t get enough of the pink and the glitter – aren’t all girls like that?!

I: How have your aspirations changed from when you were at school to now?

E: Yes! I used to want to work in the Fashion Industry (which i currently do) but it is no longer the 'end goal’ for me, we have bigger more glittery dreams!

L: I want to put my design background and skills towards something I actually like doing, this is what’s great about our business! We can do what we WANT to do!

I: If you could have anyone in the world buy one of your cases, who would it be?

E: AHH!!! Kawaii QUEEN Katy Perry for sure!!!!

L: OMG!! Defs Miley Cyrus, we have a very similar style to her!!!!

Find Erin and Laura at http://haihaiofficial.com/ and @haihai_official on Insta!

Love, Ingrid