About Insignia MSA

INSIGNIA MSA is a New York based black-woman-owned fashion label founded in 2020 that constructs handmade, and ethically made subversive, ready to wear garments intertwining dystopian futurism with the energy of the modern world.

The literal meaning of an Insignia is a distinguishing emblem, or symbol worn to show someone has achieved high-level of excellence or recognition. While wearing INSIGNIA MSA we want people to feel that they have reached the highest level of their being and feel like the best version of themselves.

We'd also like for people to understand how important it is to buy clothes that have meaning and value to them rather than fast fashion clothing that is rapidly produced in response to the latest trends. Fast fashion leaves a huge environmental footprint and textile workers are exploited for their labor. At Insignia MSA all garments are handmade in house, currently all designed and sewn by CEO Maya Avery. 

Learn more about our practices here.

Maya is a Howard University Alumna with a B.S. in biology. She began designing during her freshman year in 2019 and launched Insignia MSA in 2020 as a self taught designer and business woman. She was born and raised in New York where Insignia is currently operating. Aside from designing she partakes in creative production, cooking, and has a love for gardening. 
"I believe my love for design started when I was young as I grew up dancing ballet from age 3-19. My favorite aspect was always choosing the costumes because they bring the performance together. Another thing that ballet instilled in my shy younger self was the ability to express myself without having to speak and I experience the same feeling when designing. I love seeing other people in my clothing which allows for self-expression without having to say a word and that is empowering."