During a cold dark December last year, shuffling around the bitter streets of Soho, looking for an art gallery for about an hour (if you know Soho in NYC, you know a map is helpful) I found not only the art gallery thanks to some sympathetic walkers, but also a French Mecca
of handbags and glamour.
As I entered the gallery, I was reviewing my invite to see the collection from Ms Ayele that was inspired by Josephine Baker. I receive many invites (luckily) but this one was a pleasant surprise, I noted quietly as I sipped on a French rum cocktail with a hint of lemon and swooned over what I saw in hobos, shoulder bags and clutches.From the Josephine Collection - December 10th 2009
I’ll be frank, it can be pretty daunting to see bags after bags, when you are a consultant for designers and a retailer, so it was nice to view an exceptional collection named after one of my favorite muses, Josephine Baker. I am sure as a fashion lover, you know that Jospehine Baker, was an African American woman that became the toast of Paris after an extremely humble beginnings. You may also know she loved men, which Ayele also appreciates by offering bags for men as well.
(psst…Elizabeth Taylor is my other icon and love, FYI.).
Here’s my interview with the exquisite Ayele, who when I saw her assumed she was one of the models and not the designer. Do note how she gives back in support of her people and craft, which is always a sign of a true artist and passionate designer.
Be extra certain to note her name and remember this collection, as I am sure, she is one to watch as an emerging luxury handbag designer.
Why did you choose Josephine Baker as your muse when creating this line?
I chose Josephine Baker because she embodies so many of the values and ideas I want to express with Ayele Designs. Our company is founded on the belief that beauty and harmony can be created out of
diverse cultural aesthetics, and that we should open our styles and identities to the richness of multiculturalism. Josephine Baker lived her life according to these same principles: she was a ground-breaking performer who challenged cultural stereotypes, a great humanitarian who risked her life by participating in the French resistance during World War II, a champion of the American Civil Rights Movement, and a mother of 12 multi-ethnic adopted children. All of this, and of course she possessed great beauty and charisma.How does your handbag collection reflect the persona and lifestyle of Josephine Baker?
The collection is elegant, modern and exotic, all qualities possessed by Josephine Baker. I specifically tried to evoke her persona by making the Josephine bags soft and supple, in suede, calfskins and python. I put fringes on the bags, which are meant to evoke the costumes Baker wore in her shows, specifically the banana skirts she wore in her Parisian revues. The idea behind this collection is to celebrate everyone’s freedom to be who they really want to be, which is the way Josephine Baker lived her life.
When and how did you decide to create a handbag collection? What is your background in fashion accessories?
I was raised in two very different cultures – my mother is French and my father is Togolese. When I left Togo I had the fortunate opportunity to 
pursue a higher education, and I spent my formative years trying to grab every opportunity I had to build a career, live around the world, and discover. I became a lawyer and worked for a large international law firm, and later for the World Bank. But as I approached my 30th birthday and started building a family, I began to realize who I was. I became aware of the richness of my heritage, of everyone’s heritage, and I realized that what I want to pass on to my children is the idea that we can be very different, yet share a common humanity. This is the goal of Ayele Designs, to show the beauty of multiculturalism through the design elements of each handbag.
I first started sourcing pieces from designers creating chic ethnic pieces at private trunk shows. However, I realized that it would be really hard to find the aesthetics, the rigor and the quality that I needed to convey my message. I had to get involved in the design and the production.
Regarding my background in fashion, I have always loved accessories because I think they really tell you who a person is. I studied Fashion accessories at the 
London College of Fashion, designed my first pieces and travelled around France and Italy in search of talented luxury boutique manufacturers willing to take a bet on me. After a first round of difficult trials I determined that I needed a deeper knowledge of leather and decided to follow what turned out to be an amazing program at the Centre Technique du Cuir in Lyon . I have since then turned out two collections and am very happy with the quality we have achieved.
You donate a very generous 15% of your profits to international youth and leadership programs in Africa, due to your own personal experiences – please expand on this wonderful cause and your decision to provide this opportunity through your creative passion.
We are in the process of setting up a foundation to formalize our commitment to philanthropy, which is the cornerstone of Ayele Designs. 15% of our sales events’ revenues (not of our profits) are allocated to the Foundation’s work which will focus on leadership and entrepreneurship programs in underserved communities. I grew up in Togo, and I deeply understand what it means not to have opportunities. Giving back is just a part of who we are but we need to continue building our business to be able to do even more.
How does your background and knowledge in African fashion, love of France help influence you in the creative process when deciding to create a handbag,leather accessory or clutch?
I receive enormous inspiration from many forms of art and fashion, not just African. Primitive arts in general have a special place in my heart because of their dynamism and their modernity; quite simply because they touch me. I love reinterpreting what civilizations invented centuries ago, it is still so 
relevant. I use my family trips to Togo and France as my creative scouting time. I love the materials I source in France, the rigor and the sense of understated elegance so specific to Paris. Also, my creative process evolves around my lifestyle choices of traveling, giving back and exposing my children to the richness of their different cultures in Burgundy, South Togo and Atlanta, Georgia.
You include items for men in your collection, what made you decide to include men’s accessories in the Josephine Baker collection?
Well, Josephine Baker certainly loved men, but it has always been my idea to include men’s accessories in my collections because very few brands offer elegant, fun and original accessories for men and because the men who come to our 
events have been begging for their share of indulgence! I designed a messenger bag, Le Garcon, for men that is part of the Josephine collection, and our travel bag is for both men and women. I’ve also included beautiful cufflinks in the collection, inspired by the jewelry of the nomadic Touareg people, originally from northern Africa.
What is one of your favorite pieces in the collection?
I think that the Signature Tote would have to be one of my favorite pieces in the collection, because it really captures the feeling of elegance, ease, and freedom that I want to express in the collection.
What can expect to see next in the Ayele Designs collection for 2010 and beyond?
Surprise! All I can say is that it is all about getting out of my comfort zone.
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|