Meet Anya Shakhmeyster: Designer & Coach

We had the good fortune of connecting with Anya Shakhmeyster and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Anya, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?

The way I thought about creating my brand was by bringing together the two things that are most important to me; my passion and my purpose.

My passion and love for menswear has been there since I was a little girl drawing vintage photos of men in blazers in my sketchbook. I also chose to do menswear collections during my time at FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology), while most of my class was doing womenswear. There was something so beautiful to me about enhancing hidden details like pockets, linings, and pipings in men’s clothes. It’s almost like I wanted to help men feel seen for all of their layers, and not just what society told them they should be.

This leads into my purpose which is to help shift a cultural narrative that minimizes and downplays the value of men. I have always wanted to support men, highlight great men, and demonstrate what healthy masculinity looks and feels like. I believe that by doing this alongside continuing to empower women, we can find the unity and balance our society is deeply yearning for.

Those two things are within me and one day it became very clear – consumer products don’t matter unless they help us live better, feel better, and relate to each other better. That’s when I knew – you don’t love what you love or care about what you care about by accident, it’s all on purpose – it’s your purpose (why you’re alive)! That’s where my feminine intuition kicked in and said you must find a way to bring these two things together and get this out into the world. At that point I almost couldn’t avoid it anymore, I couldn’t sleep, and so I began to create SHAKH – the female owned brand that cares for men. We’re just beginning and I’m so excited for what’s to come.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?

SHAKH is a men’s clothing and lifestyle brand that mixes my Russian roots with my Cali aesthetic for a distinct take on menswear that blends elegance, utility, and masculinity. For example; when designing a collared button-up, I’m thinking about how to discreetly place a mesh pocket hidden at the chest for AirPods. It’s important to me to make sure the man wearing our clothes feels both elevated and at ease at the same time. I want him to know his needs are thoroughly considered and celebrated throughout the entire design and production process, our clothes are made to last. We source quality materials from Japan and produce ethically in small batches right here in the heart of DTLA.

One of my proudest moments is during one of our first shoots. I got to watch our model completely shift in body language when he put on our signature ‘Tolik Turtleneck.’ His shoulders came down and back, his chest came out, and his body relaxed instantly. The carefully placed pipings and seam lines are meant to draw attention to a man’s shoulders and back – these are symbols of strength and purpose and I believe should always be celebrated. This ethos will always be fundamental to everything we create.

Every time I feel overwhelmed or don’t know what to do next, I come back to my why – to care for men. To care for men means to honor their experience as men and be compassionate about their growth. I wholeheartedly believe that supporting men as they redefine masculinity for themselves and the boys of our future is the key to the harmony we want in the world and that is my commitment through my brand.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Fun! Okay well I would split the week up and spend five days in LA then head to Santa Barbara or Laguna Beach for the weekend to be by the sea and enjoy a truly SoCal experience. I think the best thing about living in LA is the access to beach towns and mountain towns in all directions.

In LA proper I would spend time in Venice, Culver City, Hollywood, and DTLA. In Venice I would take my friend to Gjusta for breakfast and people watching, then stroll around Abbot Kinney and check out shops and street art while ending up at the beach near Rose Ave for Sunset.

Culver City has risen from the ashes and become a little gem in the city. From The Culver Hotel which has all of it’s 1920’s ‘Boardwalk Empire’ charm to hanging out at The Platform, a fun destination with uniquely curated shops and restaurants.

The next day we head to Hollywood to hike Runyon canyon then have brunch at Mama Shelter – one of my favorite boutique hotels with one of the best rooftops in the city. We would then walk around Hollywood, check out the walk of fame and meander towards Musso and Franks – an old school Hollywood establishment circa the 1940’s with the best martinis in the city.

DTLA is all rooftop hopping, from the Broken Shaker at the Freehand Hotel to Spire 73 at the Intercontinental hotel, these are perfect ways to catch a sunset and then enjoy drinks and relaxation into the night. Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?

Absolutely! There are so many people, but one person comes to mind instantly – TJ Leeder. SHAKH would not have come to fruition if it wasn’t for his guidance, love, and unyielding support for my vision as a friend and coach.

TJ Leeder is many wonderful things and wears many hats, but the way I knew him was as my mindset coach during the pivotal time when SHAKH began as my ‘side hustle’ as many passion projects do. He was running a group coaching program where he served as my guiding light; breaking through all of my insecurities, doubts, and limiting beliefs about my ability to make this happen.

He taught me my favorite metaphor in the world about how masculinity and femininity are meant to coexist – he says that together they make up a home. The masculine is the structure; foundation, walls, and roof which bring security and safety. The feminine is the beauty within; art, interiors, flowers, and linens which bring warmth and joy. One without the other is  incomplete. TJ provided the masculine structure that I needed (presence, honest realness, safety) to feel supported while I brought the world of SHAKH (i.e. my art) to life and for that I am eternally grateful to him. He is an example and demonstration of the beautiful power of masculinity and its impact in the world.

Website: http://shakhlosangeles.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shakhlosangeles/