Michael Kors celebrates 40 years

In celebration of 40 years in the fashion business, popular designer Michael Kors is collaborating with ASHYA (pronounced agh-shya), a young accessories brand founded by American-Jamaican duo Ashley Cimone and Moya Annece.

Michael Kors recently announced the launch of the collaboration with two exclusive, limited-edition bags: the Moya multi-bag and the Ashley leather bolo bag.

As the Michael Kors brand approached its 40th milestone, the designer wanted to celebrate by supporting the future of the fashion industry. Thinking back to his own beginnings, he decided to provide a unique opportunity to an emerging brand, offering them the global reach, distribution, and the platform of the Michael Kors company to help bring their brand to a larger audience. In addition, he wanted to share his personal advice and experience as well as the mentorship of his team. The decision to collaborate with ASHYA was a natural choice – a New York-based brand inspired by travel, dedicated to the marriage of style and pragmatism, and helmed by two talented, thoughtful, and entrepreneurial designers. “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. When I first saw the work of Ashley and Moya at ASHYA, their thoughtfulness and unique point of view impressed me immediately. 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.”

STEPPING OUT

Designed in ASHYA’s signature silhouettes, the gender-neutral, leather ASHYA x Michael Kors bags feature a custom print that incorporates the MK Signature logo print in a new pattern inspired by West African weaving techniques. “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wanted to reference West African weaving in the design of the ASHYA x Michael Kors styles, creating something that has historical reference to our identity and that really spoke to the specialness of this partnership,” said the ASHYA design duo. “African textiles have had, and still have, an exceptional significance as a means of communication within communities and act as a conduit of stories passed down through generations. There is a spiritual and historical significance to the colours, patterns, and decorative elements used. The aesthetic value of West African textile designs can be seen in the lines and motifs created for this collaboration.”

The Moya multi-bag can be worn as a crossbody or a belt bag. It features two lined pockets for added versatility, each featuring a leather card sleeve and a roomy interior to carry your day-to-night essentials. The Ashley Bolo bag is equally adaptable and can be worn around the neck, the waist, or crossbody. It features one lined compartment with a leather card sleeve and is perfect for carrying everyday essentials with hands-free ease. All of ASHYA’s products are designed as an “ode to exploration”. ASHYA’s vision, since its inception in 2017, is rooted in travel, cultural awareness, and the act of unifying style and utility. Motivated by black, brown, and global indigenous communities and transient modern life, the brand approaches design with effortless mobility and essentialism in mind.