AOI: Wearable Art – Sustainably Micro-produced, With Zero Waste

Launched in 2021 by Farah Marafie, AOI is a multi-disciplinary, London-based, luxury sustainable fashion house, that’s committed to responsible micro-production.

Straddling the line between fashion and art, each biannual AOI drop – consists of two categories that form a conceptual diptych, made only from the highest quality materials, and by hand-picked specialist master craftsmen (AOI values the sentiment of craft, time, and precision that each ‘collectible’ takes to make).

AOI (‘An Ocean of Ideas’) is the realisation of a vision held by the London-based Creative Director, Farah Marafie – in which rarefied materials, exceptional standards of craftsmanship, and an uncompromising attention to detail – come together – in twice-yearly drops of hand-made, limited-edition, wearable pieces of art.

Launched in the summer of 2021, the first drop consisted of juxtaposed sensual silk suits – made from fine Italian twill, and rings that were crafted with eighteen Karat gold diamonds, and semi-precious stones. The second drop paired a selection of nine coats – using different materials and natural fibers, with four multi-functional sunglasses.

“Regardless of the category released, AOI is a feeling. It’s about how you feel connecting with the collectible,” said Farah.

Farah approaches each piece with an artist’s eye – drawing her inspiration from far-reaching sources, including music, art, antiques, and her various travels along the way.

Kuwaiti-Lebanese Farah Marafie (who received her BA in Fashion Design at New York’s Parsons School of Design, and completed her MA at the prestigious Central Saint Martins college in London) is devoted to seeking out the world’s most respected craftsmen – the people who have dedicated their lives to perfection.

Her inspirations stretch from the hedonistic heyday of Arabian Glamour in the Seventies, to industrial design, music, abstract art, colour, and sculptural forms in furniture.

“AOI is not trying to be all things to all people. Like art, some pieces will speak to you, and some won’t. Someone may feel drawn to a collectible in one drop, and be totally ambivalent about the next two drops, and that’s OK. Maybe they’ll connect with the next drop,” said Farah.

Now, Farah Marafie has her sights set on developing a collection of collectibles, with each edition being born out of the exploration of an archetype – re-imagined in collaboration with specialist makers worldwide.

AOI creates collectibles, not collections.

This is wearable art – that’s sustainably micro-produced with zero-waste, to minimise environmental impact, by creating objects of permanence, with no restocks, reproductions, or re-releases. Ever.

Find out more here: https://aoiofficial.com