BIO
Amaya Cannon is a fashion designer from New Orleans, Louisiana, now based in Brooklyn, New York. From an early age, she discovered her talent for visual arts, leading her to participate in talented and visual arts programs throughout elementary and middle school. By age seven, she developed a passion for fashion design, which she nurtured through hands-on experimentation and self-driven learning.
In high school, she attended the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA), where she studied theatre design, focusing on costume design, set design, lighting, and sound. Additionally, she spent three years at the Fashion Institute of New Orleans (FINO) high school program, mastering apparel construction and designing multiple clothing lines for its annual fashion shows.
In 2018, she competed in New Orleans Fashion Week as the youngest emerging fashion designer, earning the Yelp People’s Choice Award. Her dedication and talent have also been recognized with multiple awards for her hard work and innovation in the industry.
Before moving to New York, Amaya worked in production cutting and contract work for small emerging designers at NOLA DDM (New Orleans Design, Development, and Manufacturing) studio. To this day, the studio remains a second home, as its staff has become like family.
In 2023, she earned an AAS degree in Fashion Merchandising and Management from LIM College in NYC. Alongside her full-time corporate role at Lafayette 148, she designs and sews women’s wear apparel for her brand, Amaya Johne (amayajohne.com). At Lafayette 148, she has gained experience across multiple departments, including wholesale sales, PR/marketing, e-commerce styling, and technical design.
Growing up in New Orleans, Amaya embraced every opportunity to immerse herself in the world of fashion. Her journey reflects dedication, passion, and commitment, as she continues to pursue new opportunities and expand her influence in the industry.
