About Us

🧵 About Us – [Ayatai]

Designed with Purpose. Crafted with Soul.
At Ayatai, we believe that true style isn’t about trends—it’s about balance, authenticity, and craftsmanship that stands the test of time.
Every pair of shoes we make is built to carry men through their journeys with confidence, comfort, and quiet strength.

🧔 Our Founders

Where Vision Meets Craft.
Ayatai was founded by two lifelong friends — Aaron Yates and Taro Aikawa — who shared one philosophy: what you wear should feel as exceptional as it looks.
The name Ayatai comes from their own names — Aya (from Aaron Yates) and Tai (from Taro Aikawa) — symbolizing the harmony between East and West, innovation and tradition.

With backgrounds in footwear design and leather craftsmanship, Aaron and Taro combined British precision with Japanese artistry to create men’s shoes that age beautifully, tell stories, and embody timeless character.

What began as a small workshop evolved into a brand defined by simplicity, precision, and soul. Every stitch and every sole are made to serve — not to shout.

🕰️ From Vision to Legacy

For more than a decade, Aaron and Taro refined their craft through patience and purpose. Their goal was never mass production, but “fewer, better, lasting longer.”
Each design reflects their belief that craftsmanship is not about speed — it’s about respect for time, materials, and meaning.

Today, their legacy continues through a new generation of makers who share the same dedication to craft, quality, and quiet excellence.

🚶 The Journey Continues

Today, Ayatai still stands for:

• Craftsmanship over shortcuts

• Quality over convenience

• Style that endures, not shouts

Though the hands may change, the heart remains. Every pair we make carries the same care, discipline, and spirit that began in that small workshop.

✨ Our Brand Pillars

🪵 Purpose over profit
We design with intention — every line, every cut, every seam has meaning.

🧵 Craft over compromise
From full-grain leather to hand-finished soles, we honor tradition through meticulous detail.

👞 Comfort meets character
Our shoes are built for life — refined enough for the city, resilient enough for the journey ahead.

🔖 Our Brand Slogan

“Designed with Purpose. Made to Last.”
“Where Craft Meets Calm.”
“Timeless Style. Modern Soul.”
“Less Noise. More Meaning.”
“Walk Your Story.”

🌏 Our Vision

To create a brand where modern living meets timeless craftsmanship — shoes not made for the moment, but for the men who shape their own paths.

Because true craftsmanship doesn’t follow time — it defines it.