VAYA BAGS WAS FOUNDED IN 2005 BY TIANNA MEILINGER.  TIANNA GRADUATED FROM BOSTON UNIVERSITY WITH A BA IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. THAT YEAR SHE MADE HER FIRST MESSENGER BAG OUT OF THE NECESSITY FOR A STURDY, WATERPROOF BAG. AND SO, VAYA BAGS WAS BORN. TIANNA GREW UP IN HUNTINGTON STATION AND STARTED SEWING AT THE AGE OF 13, WORKING FOR HER DAD WHO WAS A LEATHER CRAFTSMAN. HE MADE HIS LIVING HAND-MAKING AND DESIGNING UNIQUE CLOTHING OUT OF SCRAP LEATHER THAT HE GOT FROM A LEATHER FACTORY DUMPSTER.  HER DAD WOULD THEN SELL HIS WORKS AT FINE ART AND CRAFT SHOWS AROUND THE COUNTRY.  INSPIRED BY HER BACKGROUND IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND HER DAD’S ABILITY TO CREATE WORKS OF ART OUT OF SOMEONE ELSE’S TRASH, TIANNA STARTED SEARCHING FOR AND USING SCRAP AND RECYCLED MATERIAL TO INCORPORATE INTO HER BAGS. SOME OF THESE UNIQUE MATERIALS INCLUDE RECYCLED BICYCLE TUBES DISCARDED FROM LOCAL BIKE SHOPS, SCRAP SAILBOAT AWNINGS AND OLD BANNERS. 
IN 2010, TIANNA OPENED UP THE VAYA BAGS STORE IN RIDGEWOOD, QUEENS. AS WELL AS BEING A RETAIL STORE, ALL OF THE VAYA BAGS PRODUCTS WERE MADE RIGHT THERE IN THE STORE. CURRENTLY VAYA BAGS ARE STILL INDIVIDUALLY HAND MADE BY TIANNA IN HER WORKSHOP IN HUNTINGTON STATION, NY. 

If you have any issues ordering, please email us directly: awake@widerawake.com

Please reference size chart when ordering. Sizes tend to run small. Since this is a pre-sale, all shirts are printed when you submit your order. There is no extra stock. This is done to help us give as much money as possible to all the businesses. Replacing/re-ordering shirts is costly; please double check your size before ordering.

$10 from every shirt sale goes to support Island Harvest Food Pantry
#KeepinLocalOpen

52% Airlume combed and ring-spun cotton / 48% polyester. 32 single 4.2 oz. Sideseamed. Retail fit. Unisex sizing. Shoulder taping. This updated unisex essential fits like a well-loved favorite, featuring a crew neck, short sleeves and designed with superior combed and ring-spun cotton.

*Shipping: All shirts will ship USPS approximately May 18, 2020. Shipping only domestically. This is a pre-sale and all shirts are made-to-order. At the conclusion of this sale, all shirt orders will be printed as a single batch. This cuts down on waste, and saves on time and costs - ultimately allowing more financial support to go towards the businesses. We greatly appreciate your support and patience in receiving your orders.