A reflection of me
ayiyi is a reflection of my life's journey. Born in Brazil, raised in cities across the world, and now calling Seattle home, my life has been shaped by diversity. The mix of cultures, places, and people has influenced my style, my work, and my values. The name ayiyi comes from a phrase that reminds me of home and one that I’ve always loved.
The idea behind ayiyi didn’t come from a single moment, but rather from years of personal experiences that culminated in a desire to create something that represented the values I hold dear. Surrounded by friends who were pushing their creative boundaries through their art, work, or other forms of self-expression, I felt inspired to start designing my clothes.
I've always been a naturally curious person, probably a side effect of moving so often. I've never lived in one place for more than five years, constantly being forced out of my comfort zone. Instead of resisting change, I've learned to embrace it. Each move has sparked a desire to explore and be more present. That meant finding the best parks for napping and swimming in the summer, scouting out my neighborhood bakeries, discovering bike paths that keep me a safe distance from those ugly metal boxes (cars), figuring out how to stay sane through five months of gray skies, or seeking clothes that have my desired ratio of style to practicality. These are activities that I've found joy in, alongside staying active, connecting with others, and diving head-first into new projects.
The output of my work is genderless because it's more fun for everyone that way. It's how I've approached my self-expression in fashion over the last two years, and I've had so much fun. After feeling very frustrated at how boring the "men's" sections at thrift stores were, I stepped out of my bubble and started exploring the other 90% of the floor space. I wish someone had told me earlier how much more fun the "women's" section is. At the end of the day, it's just clothing; I'm not sure why there have to be two sections of "tops". I want to design pieces that people feel confident wearing while leaving space for spontaneity, fun, and self-expression.
An important part of my design process comes from inspecting my wardrobe and seeing which items I gravitate to most often. I take notes on what elements of a piece I am drawn to. Patterns emerge that help guide me into the creation of a new piece. It’s a process rooted in personal experience, and I plan on holding strong to these values that led me here.
