BRAND PROFILE
AYA is a fashion & lifestyle accessories label using African fabrics.
African fabrics are beautifully vivid and energetic as if they are inspired by the sun and the blessings of nature.
They also have the magical influence to make a person`s inner soul full of happiness just by looking at them. We wanted to share this magic given by African fabrics with you, and this is how AYA started.
Made with African fabrics, AYA’s products are Made In Japan. AYA’s mission is to make your everyday life HAPPY!
AYA’S AFRICAN FABRICS & CRAFT
The African fabrics we mostly use are Dutch wax, manufactured in Netherlands for the African market. The fabrics are known as high quality printed fabrics, and the colors are known to not fade much.
It is said that the origin of African wax print came from Indonesian Batik. Wax print is the traditional dying technique carried out by applying wax to the fabric. Tree resin is one of the most important ingredient as it adds resistance and strength to the fabric. This dying technique utilizes the characteristics of wax; it resists water, solidifies at normal temperature and melts at high temperature. The process of dying is a repetition of drawing patterns with wax, dying with colors, then washing after getting rid of the wax.
Wax prints are printed double sided with machines so that the color intensity of the front and back side are almost identical. For complex designs, many layers of wax are applied followed by its own dye dip. Also, the cracked patterns seen on Wax prints give a distinctive element of design and depth to the fabrics.
Designs and colors differ with each fabric depending on when and how the wax and dye are added. Therefore each fabric has its own distinctly different and unique design.
African Fabric is usually sold in a folded bulk form. When AYA has found the right fabric to use, we start with an important step of cleaning out the wrinkles and creases from the fabric. After this process is carried out with care, is when AYA will cut then sew the fabrics to bring life to a product MADE IN JAPAN.
DESIGNER PROFILE
Aya moved to NY in 2003. After graduating from Parsons School of Design in Communication Design major, she worked at a NY-based fashion label LUTZ & PATMOS (current M.PATMOS), then at a trend forecasting company WGSN as a senior graphic designer. She first discovered African fabrics while doing a research on textiles in the city, and since then African fabrics became her passion soon after for their distinguished and beautiful colors and patterns. While being a graphic designer, she also started to design accessories using African fabrics. She established AYA, a fashion and lifestyle accessories label using African fabrics after relocating to Yokohama, Japan in 2016.
MESSAGE FROM AYA
My first experience with African Fabrics was at an African Market when I was living in Brooklyn. I was amazed when I saw the spirited colors and dramatic designs, but at the same time, felt a sense of warmth similar to the feeling connection from [Japanese style]. Since then I have been fascinated with African Fabrics.
At AYA we are always excited when selecting our fabrics and working with the material to produce a comfortable design. To be able to design products with my passion for African Fabrics really means a lot to me.
My goal is to offer products that inspire, mesmerize, and produce a magical experience to all people. I would be delighted if my product could become a part of your style with your choice of African colors!