At Ay Lelum, Sophia and Aunalee create wearable art garments that embrace diversity, and we are committed to sharing Traditional Coast Salish art and culture for all people to wear and enjoy. Our culturally appropriate clothing is designed with family artwork that is non-ceremonial and is all-inclusive for everyone! We also offer a range of sizes, with our ready-wear being manufactured ranging from XS-5XL.
We are passionate about being active in the documentation of our family artwork, music and historical information for the future generations and abide by strict cultural guidelines, protocols and Hul’q’umi’num’ Law, as outlined by our Father, Dr. William Good, a Storyteller and Master Coast Salish artist in our region. We also record our own original music for our showcases as part of our interdisciplinary artistic process that combines the garment design process with the musical process to create a whole collection and presentation, featuring Hul’q’umi’num’ language, creating a modern form of story-telling and cultural preservation that is fused with garment design. Being the next generation of Coast Salish designers working under the guidance of our Elders, we understand the importance of learning in the traditional ways, and we are inspired by combining Coast Salish art, culture, language, textiles and music, thus creating wearable art that embodies West-Coast elegance and Indigenous culture. Our design house draws on the foundation laid by our parents, Sandra Moorhouse-Good and Dr. William Good, who had a successful Coast Salish clothing line in the 1990’s labelled Ay Ay Mut, which means “beautiful” in Hul’q’umi’num. Inspired by their 35 years of artistic collaboration, Ay Lelum came to be.
We are also committed to reducing our environmental footprint by not only creating our Coast Salish Couture pieces in our family studio and home in Nanaimo, but in also working with the finest local BC manufacturers for our ready-wear collections that are produced in Canada. We have even chosen to have our current T-shirts to be sewn in Canada! We use eco-friendly and natural fibers whenever possible, such as TENCEL™ , hemp, bamboo, organic cotton, and recycled polyesters as our part in utilizing the highest quality sustainable, natural and recycled fabrics available in our industry as canvas for our artistic design. We are a multi-generational Artist Family creating wearable works of art for you and your whole family! Our locally manufactured ready-wear items are available as Limited Editions, as well as we create exclusive Coast Salish Couture by custom order. We supply garments to various fine Galleries and Stores, including BC Ferries, we do shows and custom artwork. Check out our Retailers list for a store near you or visit our online store. For wholesale inquiries, event inquiries and corporate projects, please contact us by email.
