Founder & Creative Director

Yana Mann is a Dubai-based multidisciplinary artist and the founder and creative director of AYE.

Immersed in the world of opera from childhood, she began performing at the Mariinsky Theatre at the age of twelve. Surrounded by costume, stage design, lighting and the visual language of performance, she developed an early fascination with how image, space and clothing can shape character and transform the person wearing them.

After studying at the Russian Institute of Theatre Arts (GITIS), Mann built an independent career as a recording artist and songwriter, releasing music through international labels and collaborating with creative teams across the US, Europe and the Middle East. Her artistic practice later expanded into contemporary art, fashion and visual expression.

Her international performance career has taken her to stages and cultural landmarks around the world, with highlights including Carnegie Hall, the Berlin Philharmonie and the Eiffel Tower. Her work has also been featured on Canal+, Dubai One and Emirates’ in-flight entertainment.

Living in Dubai since 2014 has further shaped her approach to dress, particularly her appreciation for elongated silhouettes, volume and architectural proportions. AYE brings these influences together, exploring how clothing can communicate presence, character and individuality without relying on exposure.