Since launching in 2017, Brooklyn-based brand Ashya has focused on one goal and one goal only: producing luxury, eco-friendly travel accessories. Needless to say, a quick look at their collection and it’s obvious that they’ve achieved their goal.
Ashya is co-founded by Ashley Cimone and Moya Annece, both avid world travellers and Fashion Institute of Technology alumnus. The idea for their high-end accessories label first came about after a trip to South India in 2014.
Prior to their trip, the two friends were on the hunt for a belt bag that was both stylish and practical, allowing them to travel hands-free. They were ultimately unsuccessful, which fueled their desire to fill this void in the market upon their return.
The result was Ashya (pronounced agh-shya), a luxury brand taking the niche travel accessories industry by storm. Ashya pieces don’t prescribe to a specific gender and have a low impact on the environment, making them perfect for the modern traveller.
Pieces are made out of responsibly sourced and recycled material scraps, and are also produced in small batches to eliminate excess waste. Each and every one of Ashya’s products are designed at home in the brand’s Brooklyn studio and then ethically produced in New York City’s garment district.
According to the brand’s website, “Ashya is dedicated to creating well-crafted purposeful designs that unify luxury and utilitarian principles.” This is evident in every single one of their collections, which they describe as “an ode to exploration.” In addition to their in-demand belt bags, Ashya also has a collection of crossbody bags and passport holders.
All images in this article are courtesy of Ashya.
