AYA Announces Collaboration with Kathy Marianito

Friday, May 4 2018 | 18 h 26 min | News

AYA Optical unveils an exciting new eyewear collaboration with Navajo master weaver Kathy Marianito. Launching this June, the capsule collection will be available at claudiaalan.com and at select opticians across North America.

Kathy Marianito is a descendant of master weavers, hailing from deep in the desert of the Southwest, amidst the dramatic scenery of Coyote Canyon. Kathy’s work is often sought by collectors and can be found at Nizhoni Ranch Gallery, located in Sonita, Arizona.

Says AYA Optical creator Carla D’Angelo: “AYA is a celebration of Indigenous Art, through collaborations that look to the past and future. I work together with indigenous artists with the goal of making their work less obscure by bringing their art and stories to a wider audience via our eyewear. It’s a small but important act of reconciliation. I have always been drawn to the beauty of Navajo textiles and love the strong geometric patterns in the weaving, and I am excited to incorporate this historic tradition into a modern medium.”

As always, with every AYA product purchased, proceeds are donated to indigenous communities in need.