Award-winning luxury designer, Michael Kors, is finishing up the celebration of his namesake company’s 40th anniversary by supporting the future of fashion.
Michael Kors built his global empire by dedicating years to crafting and curating a vision as refined and modern as it is indulgent. Since New York is the birthplace of both Michael Kors the brand and the founder himself, collaborating with ASHYA, a New York-based brand inspired by heritage and travel, was a given. With his own journey and roots in mind, he decided to mentor and support the American-Jamaican duo behind this emerging brand—Ashley Cimone and Moya Annece—by offering up his expertise and the resources of his renowned brand. “Anniversaries make you think about both the past and the future,” said Kors. “I began my business in New York City in 1981, and now I find it very exciting to be able to turn the spotlight on the next generation of designers working here in New York City.”
ASHYA’s line exists at the intersection of style and pragmatism and has been consistently rooted in travel and cultural awareness, making it at the essence, an “ode to exploration.” Inspired by global Black, brown and Indigenous communities as well as modern transient life, ASHYA marries style, utility, and mobility.
“When I first saw the work of Ashley and Moya at ASHYA, their thoughtfulness and unique point of view impressed me immediately,” said Kors. “I reached out to them about doing a collaboration together that would merge our sensibilities, and I am thrilled with how the collaboration came together.”
Debuting this month, this collaboration marks the launch of two exclusive, limited-edition bags: The Multi Bag ($598 CAD) and The Bolo Bag ($398 CAD). ASHYA’s signature silhouettes and a custom print incorporating the iconic MK logo in a new pattern inspired by West African woven textiles bring these gender-neutral and timeless leather bags to life.
“As a nod to our continued explorations of our roots and this global ‘stepping out’ moment for our brand, we wanted to reference West African weaving in these designs,” share Annece and Cimone. “We created something that has historical reference to our identity, which speaks to how special this partnership is.”
The Multi Bag is a versatile piece that can be worn as a crossbody or a belt bag and features two lined pockets, each with a leather card sleeve. With a roomy interior to carry your day-to-night essentials, this bag has truly been designed with the go-getters in mind. The Bolo Bag is just as adaptable and can be worn around your neck, waist, and as a crossbody bag. With a focus on hands-free ease, this bag features one lined compartment with a leather card sleeve and is perfect for carrying everyday essentials on the go.
Annece and Cimone share that fabrics coming out of the African continent almost always carry a deep history and act as both a medium of communication and a conduit of intergenerational storytelling. Further speaking to the significance of their references, Annece and Cimone share that “…there is a spiritual and historical significance to colours, patterns and decorative elements. The aesthetic value of West African textile designs can be seen in the lines and motifs created for this collaboration.”
Click here to learn more about this collaboration and further explore Michael Kors.
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