About Ava-J
Created to indulge men in the art of receiving wonderfully gift wrapped underwear and quality skincare
Ava-J Description
Avaj story
Hi, I’m Joe, Design and Operations Director for ava-j.
We thought we would share with you a little bit about the avaj story, in particular, why we launched the business back in 2014.
The whole thing started with the classic Christmas list, written every year to avoid being disappointed Christmas morning. On my list, I suggested a few items including underwear. So off my Mother went to hunt down gifts. Unfortunately it was not a great experience and she found herself faced with the prospect of designated men's underwear websites selling sexualisation as much as they were products, which was not pleasant to engage with and made her feel uncomfortable.
Like a lot of men, I love quality underwear and the whole experience of receiving gifts that make me feel special. With four of us to buy for, mum has always found buying luxury items for my sisters easy, the fashion industry understands the value of qualitative presentation and luxury when considering women as a purchaser and receiver of those special personalised items.
Buying for my sisters had been simple luxury shopping with all kinds of underwear a girl could dream of available and beautifully gift wrapped, Yet to do that for me seemed impossible and sure enough, she soon gave up.
This had rattled my mum, and so an idea started to form between us all.
The Name
The name, ava-j, came to us early on and we fell in love with it straight away. Sometimes you can spend years and lots of money employing experts to form the name of a business. Not for us, our name is simply mine and my siblings’ first initials. And with that, ava-j (pronounced “Ava Jay”) was born.
So we got to work and started to build the model of the business. What we wanted to achieve was a business that represented a sea change from the current market offerings – a brand that reflected a lifestyle, and a true understanding of our target audience.
Even our approach to models was considered, everyone featured on the original website was a real person rather than a professional model, and they all had a close personal bond with us.
The Products
ava-j is a brand that works for everyone, and that philosophy has gone into all aspects of the product line.
Our first product range was of course underwear. Armed with a college qualification in design and a love for male underwear, I got to work on designing our first range to start with we had had four headings Underwear - Male Grooming - Accessories and Homeware However a lot has changed since we began and we no longer have a homeware's range
In June 2016 the website changed our four new ranges are Skincare(Grooming), Underwear, Nightwear and accessories. We have spent considerable time sourcing and refining our range so that we can confidently say we have four unique, quality ranges suited to a sophisticated modern men.
The Manufacturing
We made another commitment as part of our business model around manufacturing, focusing on UK manufacturing as the predominant basis of all our ranges. The ava-j range of products are 100% made in Britain and not tested on animals
The Website
Another key challenge for us was to design a website of quality and sophistication, so that, regardless of whom you are or where you are, logging onto ava-j will be a pleasurable and appropriate experience.
The Shopping Experience
The final piece in the ava-j jigsaw was to create a shopping experience that was not only exciting, qualitative and relevant, but that also celebrated that feeling of luxury. Whoever you are buying for, your avaj purchase will come personally and thoughtfully wrapped, ready for you to receive.
The Shop
Our first retail store opened on 20th August 2016 North Street Headingley Leeds, located in the beautiful overseers office, a building build that dates back to 1914 and is part of the Leeds Owl Trail. The ava-j shop a unique experience which incorporates The Hair Nook - Unisex Hairdressers and colour specialists, we also have guest menswear and a selection accessories brands
Open Monday to Saturday from 10. 30am to 5 pm
From me and all the team here at avaj, we wish you all the best, and hope you “ava jolly” good time shopping with us.
Regards,
Joe
Reviews
Stylish, Sexy, Sophisticated. Nothing beats the gift of comfort.
— Products shown: Hooded Robe.
Underwear Of The Week
Spirit Turquoise - Boxer Brief.
Check out our Christmas skincare gift bags for men!
‘Ode of Remembrance’.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old.
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
... At the going down of the sun, and in the morning.
#lestweforget
See More
Stocking fillers and Undie thrillers For Men - Take a look at our blog for great ideas for men this christmas
Treat him this winter to our Men's skincare Gift Bag this wonderful little gift bag includes:- Our award winning charcoal face wash "2018 Shortlist Beauty award winner for Best Men's face wash" This deep powerful cleanser helps eliminate blemishes, leaves skin fresh, clean and revitalised. Mr Bright eyes - eye cream reduces the appearance of fatigue, puffiness and fades those dark circles. Soothes and hydrates Peppercorn Tightening Face cream - this lightweight face moistu...riser reduces fine lines and wrinkles for a smoother looking skin. Lip Balm - Avoid chapped lips this winter with our strawberry lip balm Available now at www.avaj.co.uk/product/mens-skincare-gift -set/
— Products shown: Mens Skincare Gift Bag.
See More
Draping decadence in ava-j Nightwear this christmas
— Products shown: Lounge Pants.
Underwear Of The Week Is Back!
Snow White - Low Rise Briefs.
— Products shown: Low Rise Brief - Snow White.
Last Chance! 15% off Jock Box Offer Ends Sunday
Looking for luxury this Christmas?
— Products shown: Fitted Velvet Dressing Gown.
Give him the gift of underwear this year #giftsformen #mensunderwear visit https://www.avaj.co.uk/
Christmas gift sets have arrived! Full of natural ingredients This year Shortlist beauty award winners Great skincare created for men
#JOCKTOBER is almost Over! Our Mystery Jock Box is now on sale! Check it out at avaj.co.uk
Coming Soon our fantastic NEW Body Moisturisers your going to love it 🇬🇧 #britishmade #menstyle #malegroomingproducts #makeitbritish #malegrooming #mensstyle #british #beautybloggers #menskincare #instacool
Look, feel and smell great in your new Jock Brief
— Products shown: Jet Spray Mist Body Moisturiser.
Wonderful went to the shop yesterday got some gifts beautiful presented and wrapped and bought me the bag I have had my eye on since shop opened am so happy with it thanks and used. 20% code too all good thanks Joe and Tracey xxx�
My skin is soooo much better after using the carbo charcole face wash. Way better than other products in the price range.
My husband loves the briefs. Got them as a gift and they come beautifully presented and wrapped up. They wash really well and the quality is brilliant. Have ordered more for him in different colours.
My darling fiancé purchased the Avaj weekend bag for my birthday. I am in love with this bag. It's beautifully made and the leather is so soft and smells amazing. So many people have commented on it and I feel amazing having it on my arm!
I paid a visit to AVAJ today [11th] and was very well received. I was given good info to make the right purchases. Wearing them now, they are the perfect fit.
I just received my underwear in Denmark. Their products are brilliant!
Haven’t tried the products yet as only received today... arrived amazingly quick!, and oh lord!! Can we talk about perfection packaging realness!! The box I received was SLAYING!!!, so neat and so professional and when I saw the black petals, I was #shooketh. IN LOVE! Thank you so much guys at ava-j ��
Amazing products... leaves your skin feeling brand new I certainly would recommend these fabulous products to everyone thank you x
Great underwear for yoga or anything where you need to keep your junk out of the way, takes a bit of experimentation to get the sizing right though.
Wonderful went to the shop yesterday got some gifts beautiful presented and wrapped and bought me the bag I have had my eye on since shop opened am so happy with it thanks and used. 20% code too all good thanks Joe and Tracey xxx�
My skin is soooo much better after using the carbo charcole face wash. Way better than other products in the price range.
My husband loves the briefs. Got them as a gift and they come beautifully presented and wrapped up. They wash really well and the quality is brilliant. Have ordered more for him in different colours.
My darling fiancé purchased the Avaj weekend bag for my birthday. I am in love with this bag. It's beautifully made and the leather is so soft and smells amazing. So many people have commented on it and I feel amazing having it on my arm!
I paid a visit to AVAJ today [11th] and was very well received. I was given good info to make the right purchases. Wearing them now, they are the perfect fit.
I just received my underwear in Denmark. Their products are brilliant!
Haven’t tried the products yet as only received today... arrived amazingly quick!, and oh lord!! Can we talk about perfection packaging realness!! The box I received was SLAYING!!!, so neat and so professional and when I saw the black petals, I was #shooketh. IN LOVE! Thank you so much guys at ava-j ��
Amazing products... leaves your skin feeling brand new I certainly would recommend these fabulous products to everyone thank you x
Great underwear for yoga or anything where you need to keep your junk out of the way, takes a bit of experimentation to get the sizing right though.