Los Angeles-based Nike Jordan stylist, influencer, model and designer Aleali May has launched her own collection.
Called Mayde Worldwide, the unisex range is made up of elevated essentials in silhouettes perfected by May. The first release includes a cropped hoodie, an oversized drop-shoulder hoodie, baggy sweatpants, biker shorts, a bra and a ribbed tank top, all in cobalt blue.
“I’m from South Central Los Angeles, the Dodgers, the water here, it’s definitely an LA color,” he said during a celebratory dinner at Horses in Hollywood on Thursday night. “A lot of people go for neutral colors, but I wanted to start with something bold,” she added of the collection, which is designed to fit people with different bust sizes and suit “both fitted girls and looser girls, and I’m both. depending on the day,” he said.
Prices range from $50 to $185 and the collection is sold at MaydeWorldwide.net. There will be new releases every one to two months and collaborations starting in 2023. May is open to retail partners as business grows.
“There are not many people who can carry a brand. I produce Stüssy, I produce Undefeated, I produce Chrome Hearts. There are so many people in Los Angeles who are looked at as a spectacle versus people who are looked at for their influence, for dressing and being like them. Aleali is one of those people,” said Jakob Deitell, who partnered with her on the brand. “I think this is going to be what Yeezy could have been: specific high-end, oversized staples that we all want to wear. Things that can be used every day and that do not have much brand name”.
May attended college in Chicago and worked at Louis Vuitton and Virgil Abloh’s RSVP Gallery, which became fodder for her popular Tumblr account and set her on the path to influencer status. She returned to Los Angeles in 2014 and quickly took modeling jobs with Stüssy and Vans and styled Kendrick Lamar and Tinashe. Her clients also include Jaden Smith, Lil Yachty, and Kali Uchis. A lifelong sneaker enthusiast interested in bringing more female representation to streetwear, she began collaborating with Nike Jordan on footwear and apparel in 2017 and is one of only two female designers to design for the brand.
She has influenced a generation of creatives in Los Angeles and beyond, as evidenced by the crowd that gathered at the dinner to cheer her on Thursday, including photographer Sarah Khalid, who photographed May for Mugler’s recent campaign and also took the first images of Mayde’s campaign. “She inspired me to pursue fashion,” said Khalid, who grew up in Lebanon following May’s online adventures.
Designer, stylist and DJ Monte Christo, who arrived late from a photo shoot with Foot Locker, pointed to May’s trailblazing legacy in the sneaker space, which resulted in Ehsani being named the brand’s first female creative director athletic.
May launched Mayde to fill in the gaps in the wardrobe that she had noticed while styling, she said. All parts are made in Los Angeles at their Vernon studio. “To be from Los Angeles and to be a fashion girl right now, there are more opportunities than ever,” she said, wearing her cobalt tank top with vintage Dior leather pants and Balenciaga sunglasses.
“It’s a destination, we’ve got great weather, there are great places to have shows,” May added, nodding to the Celine show coming to Los Angeles on December 8 and the Versace show landing March 10. “Rick Owens should do one here. , too,” she suggested. “People underestimate the style of Angelenos,” she said with a laugh. “We’re here, we’re just scattered.”