Hi, I’m Michelle — the heart behind Afroyla.

And if you’re here, welcome. You’re part of the story now, too.

A few years ago, my family and I packed our lives into a few suitcases and moved across the world to Vietnam. It wasn’t a decision made lightly — it was a leap of faith, fueled by a desire for something new, something meaningful.

I had spent time living in places like Bali and Ghana before, and I had fallen in love with the rhythm of life abroad — the beauty, the unexpected adventures, the deep connection to community.

Vietnam quickly became home.

It’s where my family grew.

It’s where my dreams grew, too.

I've always had a passion for fashion and design — I even have a degree in retail with a concentration in fashion merchandising. But for years, the dream of creating my own brand stayed quietly tucked away.

Life had a way of pulling me in different directions — until finally, in 2024, I decided to listen to that dream and start Melanista.

We began small, crafting made-to-order handbags inspired by the pride, strength, and beauty of Black women. Every piece was created with love and intention — but being a tiny brand just starting out, made-to-order was all we could afford.

The tradeoff? Longer shipping times.

And I knew that wasn’t the experience I wanted for my customers — or for the women we serve.

So in 2025, we made a bold shift:

We moved to ready-to-ship inventory based in the U.S., rebranded as Afroyla, and committed to making luxury-inspired handbags accessible and fast.

Because you deserve better — better designs, better service, and better experiences.

Afroyla isn’t just about handbags. It’s about celebrating who you are.

It’s about honoring your story — your roots, your pride, your brilliance.

Every bag we create is designed as a tribute to Black women:

our strength, our softness, our resilience, our radiance.

We’re building a brand that reminds you that you are seen. You are celebrated. You are enough.

Outside of Afroyla, my journey has taken me across the globe — living and loving in places like Bali, Ghana, South Africa, Cambodia, Thailand, and now Vietnam again, where I live with my husband and our children.

Every move, every country, every connection has added another layer to my story — and to the soul of Afroyla.

This brand isn’t built in boardrooms or run by corporations.

It’s built from real experiences, real love, and real dreams.

And it’s just the beginning.

I'm creating a series of videos to answer some of the most-asked questions from our amazing community — and I’ll keep adding more as we grow.

If you have a question you’d love me to answer, just send it to michelle@afroyla.com — I’d love to hear from you!