Established in 2022, AYA Inc. is a design company with its own sewing factory. Our designers, experienced in prêt-à-porter and converters, aim to create a new ecosystem to address social issues in declining regional industries. Our team includes skilled artisans with international experience, working to solve global social and environmental issues from a local perspective. We collaborate with major converters and research institutions to create a circular economy, offering comprehensive design from material development to sewing. “AYA” symbolizes the ecosystem we are building, representing both twill and human connection. AYA DESIGN, our prêt-à-porter label, develops high-performance recycled materials with major Japanese converters, combining technology with artisan skills to contribute to sustainable global economic activities.
Design Philosophy
Mineo Yamaguchi, president and designer of AYA Inc. since 2024, bases his design philosophy on “The past stands before the future,” drawing inspiration from Mies van der Rohe’s Universal Space to create a modern, genderless collection for reuse across generations. His designs, influenced by his upbringing in a Japanese ghetto and underground culture, express defiance against social injustices and modernize vintage clothing with bold shapes. In 2024, he collaborated with YAMAHA to design black, genderless uniforms, breaking workwear taboos.
Founder’s Background and Vision
Mineo Yamaguchi, a Japanese designer, researcher, and entrepreneur, began his career with apparel brands and later worked for international companies like Li & Fung Group and Comme des Garçons before becoming independent. He runs a planning company and a sewing factory. With an MFA in Interdisciplinary Design from Kyoto University of the Arts, he founded AYA Inc. in 2022, balancing management and design research. He is developing a unique Japanese avant-garde engineering design theory that integrates the global economy and regional industries.
Our Teams and Facilities
We cater to various textile clients with:
– A dedicated Design Team
– A skilled Pattern Team
– An experienced Trading Team
– Our own sewing factory