JC: Tell us a bit about yourself, from your background as a designer to the story of your brand.

AY: After graduating from Parsons School of Design I joined J.Crew. It was there, while experimenting in the trim department, that the concept for my brand began to take shape.

I loved cotton and craved colorful, bright, and fun underwear— lingerie that blurred the line between outerwear and underwear. It was the late ‘90s and it felt like the market was split: lingerie was either overly sexy or entirely frumpy, with little in between.

I wanted to create pieces women would enjoy wearing for themselves. I envisioned a collection that could build upon itself over time; where any piece from any season could work together effortlessly. It was about making dressing simple and joyful.

When I started, no one was making lingerie like this— soft cup bralettes and cotton panties in vibrant colors. The market leaned heavily toward molded, padded bras designed to alter the natural shape of the body. Retailers told me they’d only carry my line if I added padding and moved away from cotton, but I stuck to my vision. It wasn’t easy; the market for what I was doing was small at the time. But now, natural fabrics and aesthetics are becoming more desirable— and I’m proud to have been at the forefront of that shift.

JC: How do you feel this collaboration brings together the styles and sensibilities of both Araks and J.Crew? 

AY: This collaboration brings together a shared love of color, simplicity, and an appreciation for art and design. It’s about creating pieces that feel timeless and thoughtfully crafted, embodying the sensibilities of both brands.

JC: You’re an expert at unexpected color combinations. What do you look for when you’re playing with color, and what shades have you been drawn to recently? Any predictions for the color trend of early 2025? 

AY: I like to start with a color I haven’t seen in a while— something that feels fresh and unexpected. Lately, that’s been a bit of a challenge because it seems that all colors have become popular in fashion, but I usually find something that speaks to me. I like to have combinations that can feel dissonant, but when they’re paired with the harmonious combos, I think it makes the collection come alive. I tend to stick with a shade I believe in, even if it takes a while to catch on. Starting last spring, I began exploring different shades of teal/aqua—it’ll be interesting to see how it evolves.

For years, I avoided red because it’s such a common color in lingerie, but I’ve more recently leaned into it, and it’s become a bestseller over the past year. 

JC: What are some of your favorite details in the collab?

AY: I love the silhouettes. The shapes feel fresh and versatile— especially the pajamas and shorts. They strike the perfect balance between comfort and style, which is something I always strive for in my designs.

I’m also drawn to the subtle details, like the combination of shiny and matte fabrics within a single garment. It’s understated yet transformatively special.

JC: This collection comes out just in time for Valentine’s Day, what makes these pieces great gifts (or gifts-to-self)?

AY: The pieces are both effortless and considered, chic without trying too hard. These are the clothes you’ll reach for without thinking, yet always feel good in. They carry a quiet confidence, the kind of ease that makes them as much a gift to yourself as to anyone else.