Our Story

Ara Āto is an ode to individuality.

To us, fashion is a mode of liberation. Fashion is a way to say who you are and express yourself without even having to speak.

Ara Āto is a creative studio based in Shanghai with a focus on womenswear. 

Our journey began as a small business in 2016, with a focus on “girls supporting girls” and feminism, and our vision has grown into the wonderful space you see today. Our passion for clothing alongside celebrating individuality and promoting positivity and women empowerment has been the driving force which has kept this business alive for the past 7+ years. 

Our pieces are all proudly made by independent and extremely talented artisans here in Shanghai. 

The craftsmanship of every item we sell is carefully considered: Most of our pieces are made to order, a more sustainable and eco-friendly practice resulting in a drastic reduction of excess inventory and waste. Many of our garments are created entirely by hand, focusing on precise and impeccable tailoring that will complement the natural beauty of women. We never rush when making your garments by hand, instead we take our time for every single order to ensure that each garment you receive is woven with love and uncompromising quality. With every order, we want you to feel as though the item you received was made just for you — because it was!

We are laser focused on making Ara Ato better year by year, our aesthetic sensibilities are ever-changing as we are consistently inspired and reinspired by all walks of life and people, and we strive to always be open to experimentation and collaborations in order to offer a wide range of beautifully curated items that transcends trends.

We want our pieces to be like good friends, you don't need hundreds, you just need the right few ones that will last a lifetime.