Founded in 2019, The Ayris Collection was born out of a desire to create furniture that feels alive in a space, pieces with presence, warmth and intention, not just function. From the beginning, the vision has been to design and make furniture that bridges the gap between expressive design and everyday living: objects that feel considered, tactile, and quietly confident, while still being practical enough to truly be used and loved.
What inspired Lei Lester to start the brand?
Lei Lester founded The Ayris Collection with a deep appreciation for craftsmanship, materials, and the emotional role furniture plays in our homes. She couldn't find pieces that felt right for her Interior projects, so, she set out to create furniture that had character and soul, but was still grounded in real life, homes with kids, movement, mess, and meaning.
How did Kara Knight joining in 2023 shape the direction?
Kara joining the brand in 2023 marked a shift to a wider retail offering. Her background in fashion, retail and commercial strategy sharpened the narrative around the collection, refining how pieces relate to one another, how they sit in a space, and how the brand communicates its point of view. Together, Lei and Kara strengthened the balance between design integrity, commercial viability, and emotional connection.
© The Ayris Collection
The essence of The Ayris Collection, in a few words
Playful. Grounded. Human. Designed to be lived with.
Why personality and practicality matter so much
Furniture is part of daily life, not a gallery piece you tiptoe around. Strong personality gives a piece identity and emotional pull; practicality ensures it earns its place in a home for years to come. At Ayris, the belief is that good design should elevate everyday rituals, not complicate them.
The Ikigai Range at Cape Town Furniture Week
The Ikigai Range explores the idea of purpose, balance, and joy in the everyday, furniture that feels intentional without being rigid. Each piece is designed to bring a sense of calm confidence to a space, while still sparking delight through form, proportion, and detail.
Influences behind Aya, Genki, and Wabi Sabi
Aya is about fun and form, soft curves paired with confident structure. Genki leans into energy and optimism, with bolder lines and a playful spirit. Wabi Sabi embraces imperfection, texture, and honesty in materials, celebrating beauty that comes from restraint and authenticity. Together, they reflect different emotional states, while still feeling unmistakably part of the same family.
Balancing boldness with timeless appeal
The approach is simple: let form and proportion do the heavy lifting, and use playfulness intentionally. Trends are acknowledged, but never chased. Materials, craftsmanship, and scale are what anchor each design, ensuring pieces feel relevant now, and still right years from today.
© The Ayris Collection
What exhibiting at Cape Town Furniture Week means
For a growing brand, exhibiting is both a milestone and a conversation starter. It's an opportunity to show not just individual pieces, but the thinking, values, and evolution behind the brand, and to place The Ayris Collection confidently within the contemporary South African design dialogue.
Being part of the Design Hub
The Design Hub reflects where the brand sees itself: design-led, forward-thinking, and rooted in collaboration. It's about being part of a community that values originality, craftsmanship, and thoughtful production over mass replication.
What's next after Cape Town Furniture Week
Visitors can expect further expansion of existing ranges, deeper exploration of materials and finishes, and continued refinement of the brand's design language, always with the same intention: furniture with personality, purpose, and staying power.
More information:
The Ayris Collection
+27 (83) 567 8554
[email protected]
www.ayris.co.za
