Aime

The Aime name derives from the French world for love. The pronunciation of Aime is a phonetic play of designer Monica Mei’s initials and has been a moniker since her childhood. The label is an extension of her personality and corresponds with her philosophy to "Love yourself. Love others. Love luxury."

Her Philosophy

Love yourself.
The Aime contemporary collection is inspired by the needs and wants of the modern woman - to be effortlessly chic and comfortable! Transcending trends and time, the Aime contemporary collection aims to create pieces that are seasonless and timeless, yet full of comfort and elegance.

Love others.
Living consciously has never been so chic. The Aime contemporary collection is produced ethically in Canada and SA 8000/WRAP certified production facilities. Also, all hangtags and most marketing materials are printed on recycled, carbon-neutral, Forest Stewardship Council and Chlorine Free Certified paper. Monetary contributions are made to charitable causes as well as participation in awareness raising events including the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, World Vision, Haute Couture for Haiti, Nature Conservancy of Canada, Hong Fook Mental Health Association, Dr. Roz’s Healing Place, and more.

Love luxury.
Soft, sumptuous all-natural and sustainable fabrics are used in the Aime contemporary collection including luxurious cashmere, silk, Tencel, organic-cotton, etc with genuine mother of pearl buttons conscientiously sourced from the finest mills in Italy, France, Japan, USA and Canada.

The Designer

Monica Mei was born in Toronto with a Western upbringing rooted in Eastern aesthetics. Her appreciation of art and beauty embarked while accompanying her parents’ travels around the world since a young age. Her passion for discovering different sights, sounds and splendors that cultural destinations have to offer continues to this day.

She graduated from Ryerson University’s School of Fashion obtaining a Bachelor of Design degree in 2007. In her graduating year, she won the coveted Ryerson University-wide Standard Broadcasting Corporation’s $25,000 Business Plan Competition for her designer label, Aime. Later that year, she completed her studies from the University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree with a specialization in Strategic Management. In December 2008, Monica Mei won the Ontario Partnership for Innovation and Commercialization competition to continue international expansion of her label. In 2009, she was a top 5 finalist for the Fashion Design Council of Canada’s Designer Development Fund (Canada’s version of the CFDA/Vogue Fund). Flare magazine chose Monica Mei of Aime to be on "The A-list Canadian designers you need to know" upon her debut collection.

With international stints at HBC in Toronto, Emporio Armani in New York, Johanna Ho in Hong Kong, and Ports International in China, Monica Mei sets out to create a line inspired by travels, experiences,
loves and dreams - fusing a new form of living with love for the Aime
contemporary collection.