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Mariama Diallo has the type of passion that makes a morning of conversation effortlessly fade to the afternoon. She spoke with us about everything from her aspirations of becoming an actress to being raised in Guinea.
DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN THREE WORDS.
Quirky, warm, and funny! (because I think I'm hilarious)
WHAT IS ONE THING PEOPLE WOULD BE SURPRISED TO KNOW ABOUT YOU?
I learned English when I was 11! My first two languages are Fulani and French.
TELL US ABOUT WHERE YOU GREW UP.
I was born and raised in Guinea. It's a country filled with culture and so much history. When I think of home I think of the mango trees, my mom making plantains, and my dad's laughter.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CITY AND WHAT WOULD BE THE FIRST THING YOU DO WHEN YOU ARRIVE?
Cape Town. I love, love South Africa. It is not only the most beautiful place in the world but it also has amazing food! I had the best sushi, Indian, Korean, and African food while there. First place I go to is this place called Cubana. It's such a vibe. Amazing music, food, and a view!!
BEST PIECE OF FASHION ADVICE YOU'VE EVER RECEIVED?
There's no rules. If it makes you feel good and you love it, wear it.
HOW WOULD YOU COMPARE YOUR PERSONAL STYLE TO WHAT IT WAS 5 YEARS AGO?
Omg. Five years ago I'm sure I had no idea what I was doing. I look back wondering what was I thinking!! My style now is much simpler. I love basics like a cute dress, or top with a statement piece.
WHAT GOT YOU INTO ACTING?
I honestly love story telling. I feel like acting gives me the opportunity to see life in so many different perspectives. It allows me to be free and to share a story. It helps me show love, pain, laughter, all things that make us human.
WHAT MAKES YOU FEEL FEMININE?
Smelling good! I know it's weird but something about wearing my fav perfume (flowerbomb) makes me feel so empowered and so sexy! Idk... it's my little secret. It makes me feel good and that's feminine to me.
WHAT AYAI PIECE CAN YOU NOT LIVE WITHOUT?
The Minka top of course! I wear it everywhere!! From castings to dinner I love how versatile it is.
Next to our design studio in downtown Los Angeles, the loft is both inspiring and calm. It's the perfect place to get to know and take home your favorite AYAI pieces. We have our full line available for you to shop.
Appointments in our loft are a truly personalized experience. Our stylist can help you find the perfect pieces.
The loft is by appointment only. You can book your appointment online here. Simply select an available time. We'll follow up with an email and check with you to see if there is anything special you are shopping for or specific that you want to try on.
When you get to the loft, our stylist will meet you and help you pick out some perfect pieces. You can try them on and get to know them before taking them home that day. We accept cash and all major credit cards.
We never make more than a few appointments each day, to make sure that you get a truly special personalized experience.
Most appointments take about 60-90 minutes, we reserve 90 minutes for each to make sure you have plenty of time.
You're welcome to take photographs, but please be respectful when trying on as the loft is a place to get to know and take home your new favorite pieces.
If you wanted to inquire about a photoshoot, please email press@areyouami.com
It's no surprise that New York native Fiona Briseño comes from a family who adores vintage fashion as much as she does. With a neck adorned in the best gold chains, she talked about the vintage store her mom once owned - complete with a gold bed - and everything else that shaped her style today.
WHAT IS ONE THING PEOPLE WOULD BE SURPRISED TO KNOW ABOUT YOU?
I'm half Mexican! Nobody ever believes me until I show pictures of my mom.
WHAT IS YOUR DAILY MORNING ROUTINE?
I always wash my face immediately, and I'll do face masks and under eye hydrogels as I pick out a cute outfit... while drinking coffee of course.
WHAT BEAUTY PRODUCTS CAN YOU NOT LIVE WITHOUT?
LIPSTICK! Super into it... I'm also obsessed with eyeshadows and eyeliner. I love a smokey eye, like LOVE.
WHAT MAKES YOU FEEL FEMININE?
I feel like as I get older I'm learning how to take care of myself better, like health and beauty. I feel more womanly. The way I dress makes me feel feminine and strong and confident!
WHO INSPIRES YOU AND WHY?
My mom inspires me in every way possible. I turned out to be very driven because of all the life experiences we went through... but we also grew up very stylish. She inspired my passion for clothes too.
FAVORITE IG ACCOUNT?
I follow a lot of fashion IG's from the 80s/90s. I live for it. The fashion, the runway, the looks. Everything I could dream of.
@unforgettable_runway
WHAT IS THE BEST PIECE IN YOUR CLOSET?
Oh my god I could never exclude a piece. I live for the collection I've been able to gather over the years. It's almost all vintage. It revolves around a lot of statement jackets.
BEST PIECE OF FASHION ADVICE YOU'VE EVER RECEIVED?
Wear it with confidence.
If Lara isn't on your radar yet, that will soon change. The German model is often seen galavanting around New York City with her adorable puppy in hand. She recently caught up with us at our DTLA loft.
DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN THREE WORDS.
Positive, funny, nice
WHAT IS ONE THING PEOPLE WOULD BE SURPRISED TO KNOW ABOUT YOU?
I can cook German food really well like German schnitzel.
DESCRIBE YOUR IDEAL DAY OFF.
Phone off, laying somewhere on the beach and relaxing. Somewhere warm, peaceful, and quiet.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR ADORABLE PUPPY, ARE YOU A DOG PERSON?
One thousand percent a dog person. Her name is Bella, she's a 7-month-old Yorkie.
WHAT IS YOUR DAILY MORNING ROUTINE?
First thing is coffee (I can't function without it). Then take a shower and sit in my robe with a towel wrapped around my head scrolling through Instagram.
WHO INSPIRES YOU AND WHY?
My mom because she raised five daughters by herself :)
WHAT MAKES YOU FEEL FEMININE?
My curves.
HOW DID YOU FIRST GET INTO MODELING?
When I was 15 years old, someone came up to me and asked if I was interested and I said yes!
HOW DOES IT FEEL TO BE A PART OF NEW YORK FASHION WEEK?
The most amazing feeling - the reason why I model. It's so so special.
WHAT AYAI PIECE CAN YOU NOT LIVE WITHOUT?
The Kaif top. I'm wearing it to castings and everyday casual outfits.
An eyelet confection. Litta is gathered cotton heaven with adjustable ties for the perfect fit.
The new Issi dress is innocent, virtuous and candid in our heavy silk crepé de chine.
For all picnic dates from now on. Posie is a pinafore style floral eyelet dress with a built-in bandeau and ruffles running up and down its straps.
Sappha is straight out of a fairytale. Light and flirty cotton eyelet fabric is juxtaposed with chunky elastic to hold its shape and offer support.
Get a succinct look that says the most with Kimba's clean finished double layered body.
Fulfill your pompom dreams in Meada.
Wild roses for you and someone you truly love. The Amare set is a heart torn in two meant to never be taken off.
The easiest decision you’ll ever have to make, Kuik bodysuit lives on the edge of sexy and comfort
We were inspired by the traditional Yunjin brocade to make a modern skirt that's also daring.
Defiant and impossibly cute. Tiiu is a dainty sleeved bandeau with lettuce edges in our signature stretch rib.
Misa is fresh with straps only where absolutely necessary to create a delicate and unexpected silhouette with an almost utterly bare back.
A minimal bra top with a playful notch at center front to keep things fresh.
A cute little thing. Miku is a minimal tank with faux micro cups that create a playful trompe l'oeil effect.
A slim buckle fastens you into a flat, sleek chain that adds all kinds of dimension to your chain layers.
Slashed and grommeted in the front and sharply curved in the back, Meili is badass from every angle.
Wylie is a one strap, one of a kind tank that navigates around your body seamlessly.
So much sweetness. Tuille is a lettuce edged bandeau with dainty attached sleeves.
Our quintessential Kimia bodysuit takes on new life as a bandeau. Endlessly wearable and adaptable.
Sexy but unexpected, the Zillah slip dress skims the body instead of hugging it.
With straps so thin and soft that you'll forget it's even on your body and dramatic scalloping, Sylph makes for a first layer that you'll want to show off.
Good for activities. Raica's cross front harnesses you in sleekly so you can get on with your life.
The literal cherry on top. Cerise is a gold plated double cherry charm that will sweeten up your necklace layers.
You may recognize Jessie from major campaigns like Victoria's Secret, but when she's not walking the runway she's meticulously practicing the piano or ogling over the latest museum exhibit in New York. We caught up with her recently in our DTLA loft.
DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN THREE WORDS.
Driven, idealistic, playful
WHAT IS ONE THING PEOPLE WOULD BE SURPRISED TO KNOW ABOUT YOU?
I was born in Belize. I'm Chinese, but raised in the United States.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN PLAYING THE PIANO AND WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE MUSIC TO PLAY?
I started playing piano at the age of five. I practiced intensely for most of those years and studied at the Juilliard school for two years in college to become a concertizing pianist. My favorite music to play is probably impressionist music (like Ravel). I also enjoy certain contemporary composers such as Philip Glass and Olivier Messiaen.
DESCRIBE YOUR IDEAL DAY OFF.
My ideal day would start with a latte, walk through Central Park to the MET or Guggenheim, then come home and cook dinner. I would wrap the day watching Netflix while knitting... and once I'm recovered maybe a night out with my girlfriends. :P
WHO INSPIRES YOU AND WHY?
Karlie Kloss is truly inspirational to me. She beautiful and elegant both inside and out- she lands amazing campaigns and also contributes to charity whenever she can. On top of that, she has a business-savvy way; partnering with places like Momofuku Milk and creating Kode with Klossy. I hope that one day I would be able to contribute to society the way she has done and mold it to be a better place for everyone.
IF YOU COULD GRAB COFFEE WITH ABSOLUTELY ANYONE, WHO WOULD IT BE AND WHAT WOULD YOU ASK THEM?
If I could grab coffee with anyone, it would probably be Warren Buffet. His mind intrigues me and I want to know more about what he sees in our society's future. I want to learn from him his approach to life: his values, how he faces difficult decisions, why he feels that some ideas have more potential than others, etc.
WHAT IS ONE OF YOUR FONDEST MEMORIES WITH FASHION?
I worked a show for MAC x Guo Pei a few years back and it was INSANE. We had 7 inch clear shoes with intricate roses intwined in it. We had corsets and dresses that weighed what felt like our entire body weight, plus wigs that weighed between 5-10 pounds. It looked straight out of a fairytale with all the props and the beautiful decor of the house on Park Ave. Basically, the show was INCREDIBLE however walking down the stairs were not.
WHAT DOES BEING AN IT-GIRL MEAN TO YOU?
Being comfortable with yourself and having the confidence to do what makes you happy.
WHAT AYAI PIECE CAN YOU NOT LIVE WITHOUT?
I love the Selya top. It is sexy enough to wear for a night out, and basic enough for day to day.
