AYOND, a synonym for beyond, encompasses the belief that in order to thrive in a future beyond today, we must create consciously, inclusively and sustainably. Ayond was founded by Shani Van Breukelen, an African American and Dutch fashion alumni from Central Saint Martins and Porter Yates, a native to Santa Fe and mechanical engineer with a focus in sustainability. Ayond’s philosophy is informed by the desert—a vast, enigmatic landscape where hidden reservoirs nourish and sustain life in beautiful ways. Such extreme environs are home to highly efficacious botanicals that have evolved over millennia to preserve water, store nutrients and protect against harsh aggressors. That’s why high desert actives like Rock Rose, Wild Indigo, Blue Butterfly Bush and Sand Verbena—imbued with potent therapeutic benefits from intense hydration to renewal and repair—are at the heart of Ayond’s formulations. Inspired by their experience in the desert, the duo set out to create efficacious skincare that celebrates design without compromising the Earth.
