Discover the AYA Optical Wind Warriors collection
AYA Optical is taking its long-standing collaboration with Indigenous artists onto the open road with Wind Warriors, a new eyewear collection created with acclaimed Lakota and Onondaga artist Jim Yellowhawk.
Launching during the 2026 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, the collection brings together Indigenous storytelling, motorcycle culture.
Indigenous Art Meets the Open Road
Wind Warriors continues AYA Optical’s previous collaborations with Jim Yellowhawk, translating his distinctive artwork into eyewear designed to be worn rather than simply observed.
The collection draws inspiration from movement, freedom and the culture surrounding motorcycles, while remaining rooted in Yellowhawk’s artistic language and Indigenous heritage. His original artwork appears across the temples, turning each frame into a small canvas for storytelling.
“Jim’s artwork captures movement, courage, and identity in a way that immediately connects with people,” says , founder of AYA Optical. “With Wind Warriors, we wanted to create a collection that celebrates both the freedom of the open road and the rich cultural heritage behind the artwork.”
Wind Warriors translates Jim Yellowhawk’s distinctive artwork into three individual frame designs, each approaching the collection’s connection between Indigenous storytelling and motorcycle culture from a different perspective.
Free Spirit // Freedom in Form
Free Spirit offers a more versatile unisex interpretation, crafted in striated blue-grey or brown-grey acetate. Yellowhawk’s Cetangi Iron Horse artwork again becomes the defining temple detail, giving the frame an expressive character without overpowering its everyday wearability.
Steel Pony // Heritage in Motion
Steel Pony takes its cues from the classic clubmaster, combining premium acetate with spring hinges and Yellowhawk’s Cetangi Iron Horse Motorcycle artwork along the temples. The result balances a familiar silhouette with a far more personal visual identity.
Iron Horse // Built with Presence
Iron Horse is the boldest of the three. Developed for larger faces, its rectangular shape features rivet detailing, spring hinges and dramatic temple artwork inspired by the Indian Chief Roadmaster motorcycle. A subtle ledger-art motif adds another layer to the design.
Eyewear With a Story Behind It
AYA Optical has worked directly with Indigenous artists across North America since 2009, using licensed artwork and ongoing royalty programmes to connect eyewear design with cultural storytelling and economic support for participating artists.
Each Wind Warriors frame is accompanied by information about the artist and artwork, extending that connection beyond the object itself.
For Yellowhawk, whose work spans ledger art, collage, painting, neon and performance, storytelling remains central. His imagery is deeply connected to Lakota culture and frequently incorporates symbols including the eagle and buffalo alongside contemporary references.
From Sturgis to the Optical Store
Wind Warriors makes its public debut during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, one of the world’s largest gatherings of motorcycle enthusiasts. The launch is also being celebrated through a special artist showcase at Oyate Health Center featuring Yellowhawk alongside other Indigenous artists.
It is an ideal setting for a collection built around motorcycles, individuality and cultural identity, and one that places Indigenous creativity directly in front of an audience already connected to the spirit behind the designs.
Following its Sturgis debut, the AYA Optical Wind Warriors collection will be available through authorised optical retailers across Canada and the United States.
About AYA Eyewear
AYA Eyewear is a brand that embraces the transformative power of art, viewing eyewear as a canvas for sharing stories and artistic expressions from diverse cultures around the world.
Launched in 2009 in partnership with renowned First Nations artist Corrine Hunt, AYA Eyewear has consistently grown and thrived, making a name for itself by celebrating cultural heritage through its distinctive designs.
The brand is deeply committed to craftsmanship, and it understands that beautiful design demands time, precision, and attention to detail. AYA Eyewear never cuts corners, standing by the quality of its products. The company treats its artists as partners, ensuring that their art and stories are shared with the utmost authenticity and care.
In addition to its dedication to design, AYA Eyewear takes pride in giving back to the communities it serves and supports the charitable causes chosen by its artists.
Loved by both Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities, AYA Eyewear stands out from the crowd, offering eyewear that is not only aesthetically striking but also rich with cultural meaning.
Read more about this brand on TEF Magazine or visit their website.
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