TisF spends Five Fabulous Minutes with designer Aya-Nicole Cook.

When Aya-Nikole Cook, creator and designer of HAJI, adorned herself with a striking pair of pheasant feather earrings on her way out for a night of dancing, she had no idea those earrings were the start of something big. Having created them only that evening, Aya headed out to her favorite Chicago dance club, and was surprised by the buzz her design created. At the end of the night, she had six orders and many, many inquiries about these beautiful earrings. Aya began sourcing materials and designing the many different styles that have become HAJI and HAJI Couture Accessories. Aya's Fashion Design and Fine Art backgrounds inform her design decisions and bring artistry to each one-of-a-kind piece.  Established in 2006 as a small line of feather earrings, HAJI has grown to include some 20 different feather jewelry creations: necklaces, pendants, earrings, cuffs, belts, hair accessories and even shoes.TisF asked Aya to tell us what inspires her Fabulous Life.

What is your idea of Fabulous?
AC: Natural, radiant beauty, cloaked in real style, topped off with opulent GRACE.

Who is the most Fabulous person you know?
AC: Kerry James Marshall (Google him)

Which Fabulous word do you use most?
AC: Adorn: as in "Adorn Yourself!"

What is your greatest (most Fabulous) extravagance?
AC: YOGA! It is at once an extravagance and a necessity.

Where would you like or prefer to live your Fabulous life?
AC: Ideally I will have three pods, one in Chicago (home), one in London (home that should have been), and one somewhere in India (home of many past lives).

What do you consider your greatest (most Fabulous) achievement?
AC: Having the courage to study MYSELF

What is your (Fabulous) motto?
AC: KEEP IT TIGHT!

Fabulous FYI: HAJI: one who journeys to a sacred place - a seeker of enlightenment.  Now that is Fabulous!

For more information about Haji Couture please visit: www.hajicouture.com

Photography courtesy of Haji Couture.

Tags: Jewelry, Fashion, Accesories, Haji Couture, Aya-Nikole Cook