Can I Tell You...about Ayesha Vera Yu.

Ayesha with her Ayesha tote in white leather.

I first met Ayesha back in 2016 when ARK honored me at their fundraiser gala in New York. Since then we have become friends and I have helped her with some creative input with last years event. She is a force of nature; bubbling with energy, overflowing with ideas and optimism that is inspiring to be around.

An investment banker turned social impact innovator, Ayesha Vera-Yu is the CEO and Co-Founder of ARK, the award-winning social impact venture that creates a path with rural communities in the developing world to co-invest towards self-sustainable food security. Since the pandemic, ARK has grown 25x in scale, and grown the equivalent of close to 4 million meals for 138,000 individuals.

ARK's Feed Back program, a vegetable exchange for the entire community, is a groundbreaking behavior change catalyst. It inspires families to create organic vegetable gardens in their backyards, and to produce excess that is shared with neighbors during exchanges or sold to nearby villages and towns. At the end of this 4-month program, families source their food needs from home, are healthy, have savings and new income. 

Naturally, I was inspired to design a bag for her. The Ayesha tote comes in 3 different versions; in white leather with handwoven panels, and in hand-crocheted raffia with leather trim. They’re the perfect day-to-night bag. Structured enough to wear with a suit and playful enough to wear with a dress.

Read our Q & A :

1. What is my idea of happiness?

Being with my family, embraced by nature, being present and still, and at peace with my work.

2. What is my greatest extravagance?

My greatest extravagance is what I enjoy a lot - food, travel, great coffee and acupuncture : ). I think these are luxuries that I am fortunate to have.

3. What is your current state of mind?

In the middle of reset. I am steering ARK to its next level of growth - and support, in the next 3 years, up to 400 communities who want to be food secure on their own in just 16 weeks with ARK Feed Back. To do this, I am needing a reset of my personal life and get it back to a healthy balance. I am also needing to restructure the organization so that all of our amazing talent I am honored to work with are supported and growing, and we are ready for the hyperdrive. : )

4. Whose style do I most admire?

So many! In the ARK family, I just adore Tunting Cruz’s style. Everything she wears is so chic, whimsical and effortless.

5. What do you consider your greatest achievement?

Personal growth! : ) - overcoming my fears, confronting my short comings, breathing through discomfort and pain like childbirth, and making amends especially with people I love. It’s a journey.

The AYESHA in hand-crocheted raffia with leather trim.

6. What is your most treasured possession?

2 necklaces. One necklace that my mom gave me when I graduated from college and started working and traveling everywhere. It is my reminder of who I am, where I come from and the love from my mom that serves as my amulet and protection. The second is the one my dad was safe keeping for me before he passed away.

7. Who is my favorite author?

So many! Mia Alvar has this surgical way of transporting us to a different world and a beautiful way of holding us transfixed even through some painful moments in the Old Country. Daphne Palasi Andreades has a rhythm that is witty and Albert Samaha makes it a joy to connect to the past, and explore our weaved stories with others in Concepción. 3 other books that I would devour again are The Frost on His Shoulders, the Wanderer, the

8. Which living person do I most admire?

My mom. She loves fiercely, finds the courage to walk paths that may be hard, and does not give up.

9. Where is my dream destination?

Right now my family’s farm in Capiz because I have this strong yearning for connection and for weaving back to our ancestors so that I may give a sense of belonging and direction for myself and my son.

10. What is my motto?

One of them is I only buy things that make me feel good and want to dance like Rafe’s modern, cool and gorgeous bags!

If you love the Ayesha tote, or any other bag from the collection, from now until May 12, Mother’s Day, we are gifting you and the ARK family 20% off retail (code: ARKSolves).

And on top of that, I am contributing 30% of each bag sale to ARK!

Now that’s a win-win-win. Right? So what are you waiting for?

Ayesha in hand-crochet multi color raffia with leather trim.

Can I Tell You...Wear White Now!

Small Fernanda woven clutch.

Can I tell you….it’s time to think about wearing white now. As the weather gets warmer and the days get longer, we naturally gravitate to lighter and brighter colors. White, in particular, is a popular choice because it represents freshness and new beginnings. White bags can be a great way to add a pop of brightness to your outfit and give you a fresh start for the season.

Kaya woven tote.

The Kaya woven tote and the Small Fernanda clutch are a some of the white bags in the collection that are handwoven by skilled artisans. By choosing one of these handwoven styles, you're not only supporting the craftsmanship of talented individuals, but you're also getting a beautiful accessory that you’ll keep wearing season after season.

Small Fernanda clutch.

White is a versatile and timeless color that complements a wide range of other colors and styles. Unlike bold or bright colors, white is understated and can be paired with almost any outfit without clashing or overpowering the other elements.

Small Fernada clutch.

In addition to the color, these Rafe bags are designed to hold all of your essentials; such as your phone, wallet, sunglasses, and keys, but they’re also compact enough to carry around comfortably. Whether you're running errands or heading out for a night on the town.

KAYA woven tote with crossbody strap.

Ultimately, these white Rafe bags are the perfect bags for the season because they’re stylish, versatile, and beautifully crafted. Whether you're dressing up or keeping it casual, these bags are sure to be a go-to accessory for any occasion.

Can I Tell You...about Kaya Magee.

There are some people who light up a room as soon as soon as they enter. And that’s exactly how I met Kaya Magee. I was visiting a friend for the weekend in Upstate New York. She had just started Momo Global Flowers and brought the loveliest floral arrangements for dinner. Over the course of the evening, she told us all about her daunting project of growing flowers in a biodynamic way in her21 acre farm in Catskill, NY. She was filled with enthusiasm and optimism.

We also realized that we had a a friend in common who was her colleague when she was working for the legendary Yohji Yamamoto. Such a small world, really.

I designed the Kaya woven tote inspired by Kaya’s energy, and her easygoing attitude. Something handcrafted in an easy silhouette that she could wear with almost everything.

Read our Q & A :

1. What is your idea of happiness?

To appreciate every day of my life and notice the small things in life.

2. What is your greatest extravagance?

During pandemic I purchased a house with 20 acres of land in Upstate NY and starting a biodynamic flower farm.

3. What is your current state of mind?

Happy, peaceful and breathing.

4. Whose style do you most admire?

I do not have particularly person to admire, but I studied fashion stylist in Tokyo and worked for Japanese designer Yohji Yamamoto so I am always looking for the current fashion and I usually twist the style in my way.

5. What do you consider your greatest achievement?

To have lived and worked in Tokyo, Paris, and New York.

6. What is your most treasured possession?

My heath, family, friends, my son Luca and our recently adopted Bichon Frise’ mix Tobi.

7. Who is your favorite writer?

The Japanese Buddhist nun Harumi Setouchi (Jakucho Setouchi). She just passed away in 2021 at the age of 99 years old.

8. Which living person do you most admire?

My mother in Yokohama, Japan and my ex- mother-in-law in Melbourne, Australia who is 104 years old.

They have both taught me a lot of life lessons.

9. Where is your dream destination?

The West Coast of France, Biarritz, the South Coast Saint Jean Cap Ferrat, and the island of Corsica.

10. What is your motto?

It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop and keep going and trying. Positive thinking and believing what you want to do. The universal energy will bring you everything TOGETHER.

Kaya wearing the Kaya Tote in Wine.

The Kaya woven tote is constructed from handwoven leather that emulates the look of a straw basket. It comes with a detachable woven leather strap and has a fully lined interior with a magnetic snap closure and inside pockets. Aside from the wine color that Kaya is wearing, it also comes in black and stucco.