Aiayu

Aiayu works closely with 11 different manufacturing partners. The brand imposes strict conditions on all their production partners to ensure they produce sustainably and ethically. 

It started for Aiayu with a small knitwear factory in Bolivia. With the help of non-profit organisations, the brand set up its own production workshop there. Since then, Aiayu has worked with this producer for more than 17 years. Moreover, the atelier is certified by Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP). This means that working conditions are monitored by an independent organisation.

Aiayu expanded and also works with seven Indian producers. Almost all of these factories have SA8000 certification or BSCI labels. These labels guarantee that production is ethical, takes place in safe working conditions and that workers are paid a fair minimum wage. On top of that, Aiayu also checks the factories and workers’ wages itself.

Finally, Aiayu also collaborates with three Nepalese workshops. These are two small family-run factories where knitting is done in an artisanal manner. The third, larger, producer is Aiayu’s first manufacturing partner to be awarded the SEDEX label. SEDEX helps all their members work out a better, ethical and more transparent supply chain.

Aiyayu invests in capacity building of their manufacturing partners. This means they actively support the development of the management team through training and education. This proven technique equips the management of the production workshops with the necessary tools to be innovative. It helps the company remain competitive, sustainable and achieve decreasing production costs in an ethical manner.

Aiayu prides itself on the quality of its products and materials, which is why the brand carefully selects the materials used in its collection. The brand mostly uses natural materials. In 2021, only 1% of the collection consisted of synthetic materials, such as polyamide. Aiayu set a goal to replace all synthetic materials with recycled ones by 2024.

Lama wool is an important part of the materials Aiayu uses. Lama wool comes from Bolivia, where the animals live freely in their natural habitat in the Andes. Lama wool comes in many different shades of colour, which is why Aiayu chooses to use these natural colours. Because the brand does not dye this material, fewer chemicals are needed in the production process.

Cashmere is very important to the cultural heritage of Nepal and the surrounding regions. Aiayu uses cashmere sourced from small-scale goat herders in Nepal. The brand thus works with local communities to preserve this original lifestyle. The cashmere products are also handmade in Nepal.
To reduce the amount of cashmere, Aiayu combines this material with linen. This is a durable, natural, strong and airy material. This combination allows Aiayu to design soft and durable knitwear while limiting the amount of animal materials.

The yak and sartuul wool comes from Mongolia. Aiayu works with a cooperative of nomadic Mongolian herders. This cooperative was set up together with a Swiss development organisation to give shepherds a more stable and fair income. Aiayu selects the finest (and softest) fibres from the yak’s undercoat for their clothing.

Aiayu uses only GOTS-certified, organic cotton (Global Organic Textile Standard). This means that the cotton is produced without the use of chemicals. In addition, GOTS also monitors the producer’s water consumption and working conditions. 

Most of Aiayu’s cotton comes from the non-profit organisation Chetna Organic. This organisation helps Indian cotton farmers get a better income with sustainable farming practices.

The Danish brand collaborates with Organic Cotton Colours (OCC) to design products from undyed, old varieties of cotton grown in a natural colour palette.

Finally, the collection includes designs made from silk. This silk comes from the Assam region of India. In this region, breeding Eri silkworms is a traditional craft. This silk is also known as peace silk because the cocoons are harvested only after they have hatched.

Aiayu is circular because the collection almost entirely consists out of natural materials. Most of the collection is made of monomaterials. This means that a garment is made from one material, for example 100% silk. These garments are easier to recycle after use.

Moreover, all garments made of organic materials, such as organic cotton, are biodegradable. However, this only applies if they do not contain synthetic sewing thread or chemical dyes.

Synthetic materials are still present in less than 1% of the collection. Some knitted designs require a small amount of polyamide to ensure the quality of the clothing. Without this polyamide, the garment might deform during wear.

Aiayu has direct contact with all their manufacturing partners, giving the brand more control over the social and environmental impact of their supply chain. This allows the brand to easily visit the factories and support the workers and their communities. 

To reduce the distance of their supply chain, Aiayu ensures that products are always made in the area where the materials come from. The cotton clothes, for example, are made in India, where the cotton itself is grown. Still, the products travel a long way from Bolivia, Nepal and India to be sold in Europe.

Aiayu’s collection consists largely of animal materials. The brand attaches great importance to animal welfare and is committed to always selecting the most animal-friendly options. Because the materials come from small-scale, local producers or communities, there is more transparency about animal welfare. Moreover, this ensures that the producer or shepherd depends on the income from the wool or silk, and takes good care of the animals.

The llama wool comes from small-scale shepherds in Bolivia. Here, the llamas live freely in their natural habitat. Annual shearing is not harmful and even necessary for the animal. This is because llamas do not lose their fur by themselves and can otherwise collapse from heat in the summer.

Cashmere also comes from small shepherding communities in southern Europe. The goats are traditionally herded and cared for in Nepal. To ensure less cashmere is needed, Aiayu combines the wool with linen.

The sartuul and yak wool come from Mongolia. Aiayu works with a Swiss organisation to support nomadic shepherds in the area. Both the sartuul sheep and the yak come from the Mongolian steppe, so they live in their natural habitat.

For the silk too, Aiayu chooses the most animal-friendly option: peace silk. The Eri silk used by the brand is produced in a traditional way in India. The Eri caterpillars are grown there with great care and expertise, and the silk is harvested only after the moths have emerged.

Aiayu’s timeless collections transcend trends and seasons. For Aiayu, the story of each product is as important as its aesthetics. The brand has a minimalist style and offers several collections. You will find clothing as well as bedding, towels and blankets.

Aiayu’s designs are meant to be used for a long time. That is why the brand offers a five-year warranty on all knitwear, and two years on all woven cotton products. During this warranty period, you can have your purchase repaired for free when needed. 

To avoid overproduction, the Danish brand releases new designs twice a year. This way, the various production facilities are given time to manufacture each product with care.

Aiayu is very transparent about their operation. The brand provides information about their production location and the partners they work with. The origin of the materials is also provided, although this information is not detailed.