Araks

The CFDA-Recognized Designer Making Sustainability Look Effortless

Araks was founded in 2000 by Araks Yeramyan, an Armenian-American designer who studied at Parsons School of Design and cut her teeth at Marc Jacobs and J.Crew before launching her eponymous label. From the beginning, Yeramyan rejected the lingerie industry's false choice between beauty and responsibility. She wanted to make intimate apparel that was joyful to wear, meticulously made, and produced without causing unnecessary harm — to workers, to the environment, or to the wearer's sense of self. Two decades later, Araks stands as proof that sustainability and desirability aren't in conflict.

What Makes Araks Different

Araks approaches sustainability not as a marketing angle but as a design constraint that produces better work. Everything is manufactured in New York City, using small, women-owned production facilities — three of which Yeramyan helped launch. The fabrics are organic cotton, recycled nylon, and natural fibers dyed with organic processes following bluesign certification criteria. But what distinguishes Araks from other sustainable brands is the color. While eco-fashion often defaults to oatmeal and olive, Araks bursts with confident, saturated hues — tangerine, cobalt, emerald, and rose — applied to clean, modern silhouettes that feel more like ready-to-wear than underwear.

Key Product Lines

The Organic Cotton Collection covers everyday basics — bralettes, high-waisted briefs, and boy shorts in bold color combinations. Recycled Nylon Swimwear extends the brand's sustainability ethos to the beach. The Silk Collection offers special-occasion pieces with the same clean lines and color confidence. Araks designs in core styles that are evergreen, with excess materials from one season seamlessly integrated into the next, working toward a zero-waste model.

Who Araks Is Best For

Araks is for the woman who cares deeply about where her clothes come from but refuses to sacrifice beauty for values. If you read the CFDA news, shop at independent boutiques, and want to know that your underwear was made by women earning fair wages in NYC, Araks is your brand. The design sensibility appeals to those who appreciate color, simplicity, and the quiet confidence of wearing something made with intention.

Price and Sizing

Bralettes from $55 to $95, underwear from $28 to $48, swimwear from $95 to $195. Sizes run XS through XL. The pricing reflects NYC production, organic and recycled materials, and the CFDA-level design that goes into each piece.