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. He had developed a groundbreaking dehairing technology capable of producing the finest llama wool with unparalleled properties that instantly captivated Maria. At that time, Bolivia lacked a well-established textile industry capable of large-scale knitwear production, so aiayu and the manufacturing partner joined forces with DANIDA the Danish International Development Agency to establish the first knitwear factory in the country. The aim of the project was to support the country’s economy through ethical job creation and by bringing the legacy of Bolivia’s knit craftsmanship to the world.

This factory was the region’s first to implement a water recycling system, cleaning 100% of its wastewater and reusing 75%. It also established ethical production practices such as health insurance, pension plans, paid vacations, and fair wages for overtime work. The factory manages all processes in-house ensuring full transparency from spinning, to dyeing, and knitting the finished products.

Bolivia has since become a blueprint for aiayu’s responsible production model, facilitating thoughtful sourcing and production in India, Mongolia, Nepal, and Europe. In these regions, we work with exceptional natural materials such as cashmere, Sartuul sheep wool, yak wool, and certified organic cotton.

Today, the same Bolivian yarn manufacturer from 2005 remains aiayu’s longest-running production partner, exemplifying our commitment to building and maintaining long-lasting, trusting relationships with like-minded partners.

About

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