For Maiyet, which employs artisans all over the world, the process of creating a garment is as beautiful and as interesting as the end result.
Maiyet cofounder Kristy Caylor and creative director Gabriella Zanzani took a "spiritual journey through the Himalayas" for Fall 2013, resulting in a collection that blended down-home craft with sophisticated shapes and even a bit of urban edge. Outsize wool outerwear with hand-felted sleeves or neon blanket stripes were especially appealing, as were shell tops, shrunken jackets, and slim pants in vibrant Varanasi silks. Also of note were the accessories, which, just like the other elements in the line, are produced by artisans the world over: high-heel knee boots with tassels and reverse appliqué clutches from Italy, leather crossbody harnesses from New York, and chunky studded cuffs from Indonesia.
Maiyet dispatched Daria Werbowy and photographer Cass Bird to India for its Spring 2013 campaign — the fourth season in a row that Werbowy has posed for the brand.
Once in India — where Maiyet sources some of its artisanal wares — Bird photographed the model sailing along the Ganges River, dancing in Jaipur's Amber Fort, and biking through the backstreets of Varanasi.
The clothes in the ads will be available for purchase on Maiyet's website starting on Wednesday. Get a look at the pieces here in the gallery.
Photos courtesy of Maiyet
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Maiyet's seamless marriage of old world craftsmanship and modern luxury came in the form of lush jungle hues and breezy shapes inspired by the "rich indigenous culture and the vast natural wonders" of Peru for Spring 2013. Slip dresses, maxi skirts, and slouchy pants were loose and easy, while militaristic jackets, camp shirts, t-shirt dresses, and asymmetrical wrap skirts added structure. The collection's real stars, however, were the fabrics. Whether adorned with intricate monochrome embroidery or ever-so delicately perforated in lace-like swirls, they were not only dreamy but also expertly handled.
There's a new label that celebs are going to be all over soon and it's called Maiyet, whose name is inspired by the Ancient Egyptian concept of truth and harmony. At the Maiyet launch at Barney New York in NYC last night, Christina Ricci was spotted wearing the label head to toe. She started with the Maiyet's black crewneck blouse, which she paired with hot orange shorts and killer Maiyet Jackie wedges. The actress completed her sassy look with a long gold necklace by Maiyet, gold bangles, and a soft yellow Maiyet clutch. Shop Christina's exact pieces below, then be sure to check out more Maiyet items at Barneys New York.
>> Old world tradition meets new world luxury in Maiyet. The brainchild of human rights lawyer Paul van Zyl, social entrepreneur Daniel Lubetzky, and fashion industry veteran Kristy Caylor, Maiyet merges the talents of traditional artisans from all over the globe with the kind of high-end design aesthetic and attention to detail not normally associated with socially-conscious clothing.
"We are pioneering a new luxury by celebrating the rare and unexpected — rare skill sets from unexpected places. So we incorporate old traditions in untraditional ways, and in doing so we promote entrepreneurship, prosperity, and dignity in the places that need it most," Caylor explains. That means block prints from Jaipur, hand embroidery from India, metal work from Nairobi, and leather craft from Italy are all carefully developed with the original artisans — and then integrated into a modern collection of ready-to-wear, jewelry, shoes, and handbags.
Now the line — first launched in Paris for Spring 2012 — has just landed in the US, exclusively at Barneys. An up-close look at pieces from the collection ($595–$2,400) — plus a peek at the entire Cass Bird-lensed ad campaign starring Daria Werbowy and styled by Lori Goldstein — here, in the slideshow.
