aiayu

aiayu means “soul” in Aymara, the language of Bolivia’s indigenous people. Copenhagen-based aiayu was founded in 2005 by Creative Director Maria Høgh Heilmann, with a focus on natural materials and craftsmanship.

Rooted in a materials-first philosophy, aiayu creates wardrobe pieces designed to be worn across seasons. The brand works with natural fibres selected for their distinctive qualities and develops its collections in close collaboration with producers and artisans around the world.

aiayu is deeply committed to using pure, natural fibres and nature’s own colour palette, emphasising best-in-class manufacturing practices and durability – an approach that allows the materials to guide the designs, complementing the brand’s Scandinavian sensitivity. With a deep love for thoughtful sourcing and production in Bolivia, India, Nepal, and Europe, aiayu’s heart is spread across the world – but its home is in Copenhagen, located in the historic former Post and Telegraph building at Indiakaj 2. Currently, aiayu has four stores in Copenhagen and one in Aarhus, and beyond its home market, aiayu is distributed through carefully selected retail partners internationally.