Today we’d like to introduce you to Ayana Ames.
Hi Ayana, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I was inspired to pursue creating my line after participating in Birmingham Fashion Week in 2013. I started Am.A-line Collections right after graduating college in 2014, offering custom made-to-order clothing. This was only the beginning and a small start without a grand launch or anything.
In between client requests, I was designing and constructing a miniature collection. Not everything that I made was for the purpose of being shared, but to keep up the skills I acquired in school and to hone my craft. Running my business wasn’t full time at this point. I worked as a photographer for a firm and at my family’s business, as well as freelancing a few design gigs here and there.
Later, I went back to school to pursue a license in funeral service to help support my family’s business alongside my brother. During this time, I had a deep creative block for about three years and didn’t have a lot of motivation, or time to design and construct the pieces I illustrated. I finished mortuary school, got my license, and started looking forward.
When I started out offering custom clothing, I planned to eventually have the line produced. Thanks to the creative block I had, I found myself inspired to jump back in, especially because apparel design is my passion. So in 2018, I decided to attend my first trade show, ever. Mind you, it’s the largest fashion trade show event in North America…MAGIC. After attending the show that summer, I was reinvigorated to start the manufacturing process and truly launch my brand.
I started on the first collection at the beginning of 2019 and haven’t looked back since. I launched the first collection last Spring, right before the pandemic broke. I wouldn’t be where I am without that creative block and am oddly thankful for it.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It hasn’t been an easy road, by far. The fashion industry is a tough industry to get into, and even tougher to break out as an independent designer or brand, especially as a black female owned business.
I’ve been blessed to have met so many amazing people along the way and build some worthwhile relationships. However, it’s still a struggle most days to break into the luxury niche men’s market Am.A-line Collections is aiming for.
The most frequent roadblock I encounter is “we have a similar brand”. If we all look closely, all clothes have a similar, if not the same function, but there are subtle differences in what each brand produces. Whether it’s in quality, details, or the fabric used, these things can create the definition of a brand.
Other than that, I believe the most difficult part has been creating traction and keeping the engagement high. This isn’t just a struggle for my business, but I believe all small businesses.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I design menswear that plays off of classic silhouettes with unorthodox features and design details. Longevity, functionality, versatility, and an eco-friendly nature are heavily incorporated into the pieces designed, as well as our collective stories of the human condition.
I’m most proud of the resilience this brand has, especially during a pandemic. The way our inspiration speaks to people and what we want to stand for always speaks the loudest to me. I believe that this quality is also what sets us apart from others.
Our commitment to connecting with the stories and journeys most people, especially men, don’t always share separates us. The inspiration for each collection is meant to draw out certain qualities that we put behind ourselves or disregard. It’s a push forward, an encouragement, and an appreciation of self. The quality of our clothes, as well as the all natural fibers we prefer to use, also sets us apart.
What matters most to you?
Community matters most to me, at all levels: personal, local, state, country, and global. Without a community, we wouldn’t be who we are today. For me, it’s about what you learn from your community and what you can share. Having a background ingrained with an attitude and spirit of serving, it makes it that much more important to me to serve the communities I’m a part of. At the end of the day, we all have more than one community we belong to, and we should make the best of all of them and contribute ways to better them.
Pricing:
- Tops range from $59 – $480
- Bottoms start at $210
Contact Info:
- Email: info@amalinecollections.com
- Website: https://amalinecollections.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/amalinecollections
- Pinterest: https://pinterest.com/amalinecollections
