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Commitment

Responsibility has been the cornerstone of aiayu since our founding in 2005 and will continue to be so.

We are committed to reducing our environmental impact and ensuring fair and respectful treatment for everyone involved in creating an Aiayu piece. In an era of overproduction and overconsumption, it's important to acknowledge that creating new products always requires resources, even with efforts to minimize environmental impact.

That’s why our approach to design, materials, production partners, and product longevity matters. We believe in crafting well-designed, high-quality pieces from responsibly sourced natural materials that inspire care, repair, and long-term use, balancing the well-being of both people and ecosystems.

Our commitment to responsibility is founded on five key principles, which guide our actions and decisions in every aspect of our business.

Natural materials

We prioritize crafting fewer, high-quality pieces using nature's finest materials, which are either certified by leading standards, unique regenerative fibers, or recycled. We source them from around the world, all grown and raised in their indigenous environments by the people who know them best. By doing so, we support small family farmers, nomadic herders, and responsible certified producers.

To optimize fiber-to-fiber recycling options for our products at the end of their usable lives, we ensure that most of our materials remain pure mono materials.

Respectful relationships

We prioritise long-term relationships with our production partners, built on mutual trust, respect, and a shared commitment to advancing responsibility. We maintain close connections with our skilled artisan partners who create our products, many of whom have been with us for more than a decade, evolving into valued friendships over the years.

Preserving cultures & traditions

Our handcrafted designs celebrate traditional craftsmanship and honor the artisans who have preserved and passed down essential skills such as hand knitting, weaving with traditional handlooms, and crocheting through generations. These techniques, deeply embedded in regional cultures, are at risk of disappearing. By working responsibly with our production partners, we strive to support regional economies and preserve the cultural significance of these enduring traditions, ensuring they continue to thrive and inspire future generations.

Reducing chemical footprint

Reducing our environmental footprint involves prioritizing GOTS-certified value chains to minimize the use of harmful chemicals and avoiding dyes whenever possible. Wet processing is a toxic and resource-intensive process, so eliminating this step significantly reduces our chemical, water, and energy usage. Additionally, we eliminate virgin synthetics from our products.

Durability & longevity

At aiayu, we focus on creating fewer, superior products from natural materials, releasing only two collections yearly. This approach allows us longer lead times, ensuring meticulous craftsmanship and durability. Our commitment extends to a repair service, helping customers prolong their aiayu pieces' lives and cherish wear as unique hallmarks. Our timeless design philosophy prioritizes simplicity and longevity over trends,

using durable materials to maintain value. Craftsmanship and quality define our production, imbuing each aiayu piece with depth and soul.

Certifications & regenerative farming

Certifications provide a significant framework for responsible production. Whenever possible, we source according to the most rigorous certifications like the Global Organic Textile Standards (GOTS) for organic cotton and the Responsible Wool Standard for wool. We emphasize social responsibility by requiring larger production partners to hold leading certifications such as SA8000 or BSCI, ensuring fair wages, good working conditions, and stable jobs in their communities.  

Additionally, and to “move beyond organic” we work with non-profit farmer collectives, which help small cotton farmers earn better, more stable incomes through regenerative organic farming practices that build soil health, reduce water use, and enhance crop yield through crop rotation, rainwater collection, cultivation, and cover cropping. Organic farming avoids harmful chemicals and practices, whereas regenerative agriculture focuses on techniques that actively promote healthy ecosystems and positive environmental impacts.

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About

Aiayu means 'soul' in Aymara, the language of Bolivia's indigenous people, reflecting our dedication to craftsmanship and the artisans behind our products.

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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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Design philosophy

Rooted in a materials-first philosophy, aiayu creates timeless wardrobe essentials and homeware that transcend seasons.

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