Jewelry Model Annalay Highlights the Constructive Energy of Style

The model’s founder talks connection, creativity and why it is best to costume up for your self.

With the winter doldrums creeping in to layer on prime of the persevering with COVID-19 disaster, you may end up in a stoop on the subject of feeling impressed, upbeat and optimistic proper now. However Toronto-based jewelry entrepreneur Annalay Ajooway-Tingling affords a sunnier outlook for our present temper ­– not simply by her model’s travel-influenced designs, but in addition by the use of the reflections on her personal journey earlier to and all through the pandemic.

Ajooway-Tingling’s first expertise within the vogue business got here in her early twenties: whereas in college, she was concerned within the modelling and performing sphere. “I came upon rapidly that I used to be thought of ‘too curvy’ on the time to be taken critically as a print mannequin,” she recollects. “So I discovered myself in tv, and that went very well. I had a pleasant run of high-profile commercials and I actually loved it.”

However ultimately Ajooway-Tingling – who describes herself as “somebody at all times in search of data and experiences” whereas trying to find solutions to life’s large questions (“What’s my goal? Why are we right here? What’s one of the simplest ways to dwell our lives?”) – says she wasn’t discovering satisfaction with the place she was in life. “I wasn’t getting these solutions working in that business, or in school,” she says.

Aspiring to pursue a life with which means, Ajooway-Tingling started touring with the person who finally grew to become the daddy of her youngsters. Throughout their decade of globe-trotting, Ajooway-Tingling ended up in India. “I centered my consideration on meditation and spirituality and world tradition and totally different viewpoints on life and unity,” she says.

Ajooway-Tingling had examine a distant monastery within the Himalayas and determined to enterprise there herself, and after serendipitously assembly the brother of one of many residing monks the day after her arrival she discovered herself spending a number of months on the monastery after they requested her to show them English. It was a strong and transformative time.

One of many key issues she discovered whereas there was about her preconceived notions concerning their lives. “One thing I hadn’t considered was how naturally joyous they have been,” she says about her concepts of monastic dwelling, earlier than delving into it herself. “It doesn’t matter what occurred, they made positive they have been laughing all through the day.”

After some time, Ajooway-Tingling started to overlook her residence, and he or she returned to Canada with inventive juices flowing. The colourful, diversely-decorative cultures she’d discovered herself immersed in whereas touring – to not point out the power to unify two folks just by complimenting somebody on what they’re sporting – motivated her to launch her eponymous jewelry label in 2013.

The model’s choice arouses all method of vibes, from wanderlust (due to using supplies like Cowrie shells) to cosmic. Not too long ago, Canadian actress Tara Spencer-Nairn posted about buying a couple of items from Annalay together with a Zodiac-themed pendant – not solely one thing very intimate, however a glance that speaks to the present surge of curiosity in astrology.

Being attuned to what we’re all feeling is a energy of Ajooway-Tingling’s, who says that in the course of the summer season months of the pandemic, she discovered herself strolling Toronto’s shoreline in an effort to seize transportive photos that may ignite a little bit of self-soothing and sense of native discovery inside the Annalay group.

“When the pandemic began to unravel, I assumed to myself, you’ve two paths you may stroll proper now,” she says about being confronted with a enterprise choice; not solely was she finishing her personal college work as a result of she was persevering with her training, however she had the duty of being a single dad or mum to youngsters who have been now at all times residence. “I assumed, do I cease this or pause it, or do I amplify it?”

Maybe unsurprisingly, Ajooway-Tingling selected to amplify as she sensed her personal tenacity and curiosity could possibly be a touchstone for others who have been struggling any method of lockdown emotions. And she or he highlights the uplifting high quality of self-expression by dressing as one other realm of positivity, noting that she’s at all times thrilled to obtain messages from prospects who say they will’t wait to put on their piece round the home to brighten their day.

“Earlier than, I believe there was this sense of, the place can I put on this,” she says about how she feels the final notion of fashion has shifted over the 12 months. “I believe the pandemic has modified folks’s mindset when it comes to pondering, I really like one thing however I would like an event to put on it, versus I like it [and] I need to put on it for myself.” She provides with fun that her youngsters will usually ask the place she’s headed all dressed up, to which she might reply with, “I’ve to go to the publish workplace” or typically, simply the kitchen.

The gusto with which Ajooway-Tingling approaches on a regular basis life is palpable, and her ideas shifting into 2021 are simply as enthusiastic regardless of the myriad private {and professional} hardships that everybody is dealing with. “I’m feeling good as a result of the pandemic was scary however we’ve seen how resilient we’re,” she notes, saying that she’s personally “taking all the pieces I’ve discovered and making use of it very consciously.” This contains “not being intimidated by know-how” – one thing we depend on extra closely than ever earlier than. And this concept is adopted by a bit of recommendation she affords to us all. “[It’s about] empowerment and never intimidation,” she says. “Discover the place you are feeling snug, and transfer with that.”