[ai-ya-yu]
aiayu means 'soul' in Aymara, the language of Bolivia's indigenous people. It reflects our dedication to craftsmanship and the artisans behind our products. The name, suggested by a Bolivian handknitter, embodies the dedication, heart, and soul these artisans invest in their craft.
People behind
Behind aiayu is Founder and Creative Director Maria Høgh Heilmann. Together with aiayu’s production partners and artisans, she shares a love for natural materials, their origins and the craftsmanship behind each garment.
aiayu thrives through a global network of skilled individuals, spanning from our close-knit team in Copenhagen to trusted partners and artisans across Bolivia, Nepal, India and Europe.
Our home
aiayu’s headquarters is located in the historic former post and telegraph building at Indiakaj 2 in Copenhagen. Constructed in 1917 by engineer C. Agerskov and restored in 2024, the building honours its cultural heritage while accommodating a modern working environment. Existing structures have been carefully repurposed, creating an open and light-filled space complemented by a large green garden.
As a lifestyle brand, the space feels like a natural extension of aiayu – providing an inspiring setting for our daily work, while allowing us to gather our community and friends for events and presentations.
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Our approach
We are committed to reducing our environmental impact and ensuring fair and respectful treatment for everyone involved in creating an aiayu piece.
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Our story
aiayu’s journey began in 2005 Bolivia, with a special encounter between founder and creative director Maria Høgh Heilmann and a visionary local yarn manufacturer.
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Repair and re-proofing service
aiayu's in-house repair specialists are experts in handling natural materials, offering repairs for any aiayu piece as well as re-proofing for oilskin outerwear
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