Our Story

What started as a small journey with one suitcase of jewelry...traveling from Nairobi to Dubai & London...has now voyaged to the US. 

Growing up in Kenya, AYAM founder, Elizabeth Glaysher, embraced the African culture from an early age. Speaking fluent Swahili and armed with a keen creative flair, she forged a successful career in costume design for renowned films such as Out of Africa, Constant Gardner and Gorillas in the Mist filmed in Kenya.                                                                                                                                During this time, she created a bond with the artisan she worked with and later started designing jewelry with them, which led to the launch of AYAM Africa in Dubai and the UK. Not only to share the tradition and beauty of African culture, but to help establish a sustainable and reliable living for the local artisans, traders and merchants who had become family through the years and still today are a part of the AYAM family.

The journey continues …and the suitcases travel to America!

Elizabeth and Sharon Khaldi met in Dubai, both being entrepreneurial and nomadic souls, they instantly connected through their shared passion for Africa and firmly held beliefs of supporting artisans and handicraft initiatives throughout world.

After 20 years working in the fast-paced UAE events industry, Sharon decided to venture back to America. With a desire to expand and empower the artisans further by bringing their creations to another level and market, Elizabeth gave Sharon the opportunity to join the family and work with the amazingly talented artisans in Nairobi, who are the driving force behind the brand. Together they headed to Nairobi to introduce Sharon to the team, create new designs and continue the journey with Sharon launching AYAM Africa US in 2019.  

No stranger to the fashion industry, prior to moving to Dubai, Sharon was a pioneer in the emerging Deep Ellum scene as partner of cutting-edge boutiques Rancho & Casa Loco in Dallas and London based Western Styling. Once a gypsy merchant always one!