Hispanic Heritage Month Highlight: Claudia Berck, Owner of Ayelet’s Style

As part of Hispanic Heritage Month, Art 120 would like to highlight a Latino business owner that has been part of their International Market series since 2016.

Art 120 is happy to announce that they are highlighting Chattanooga business owner, Claudia Berck. Ms. Berck is the owner of Ayelet’s Style, a unique clothing store that sells handmade blouses sourced straight from indigenous Mexican embroiders. With help from Roxana, an artist who agreed with Berck’s vision, Ayelet’s Style was able to get these garments created at remote locations with indigenous craftsmen and women. A few of the places these craftsmen and women live are the Aguacatenango Chiapas, Oaxaca, Puebla and Jalisco regions of Mexico. Their work on these garments afford them income, which feeds back into their communities and families. After they are done with garments, they are sent back to Ayelet's Style and put directly on the shelf. '

Claudia first started Ayelet's Style in August 2015, after a visit to Mexico. Berck stated, “I wanted to do something to help my family in Mexico and when my youngest daughter started school, I wanted to occupy my time with something meaningful that would still allow me time with my family.” After wearing an embroidered blouse from her trip to Mexico she was asked by many locals where they could get a blouse like hers. From that moment, the idea for her clothing store emerged. 

As a native of Monterrey Mexico, Claudia’s deep connection with her culture is part of what drives her passion. “I feel proud to show my roots to the world, the unique pieces handmade by artisans, and to see the happiness that they bring to the people that purchase them and proudly wear them,” Berck stated. “I love my Mexican heritage and I want to share Mexican art by preserving our traditions  of hand-embroidery and empowering artisans throughout Mexico.”

Claudia was recently selected as a finalist for Latino New Business of the Year by La Paz and her business will be featured at Art 120’s upcoming Día de los Santos Celebration on Saturday, October 28th, from 11am to 4pm. The event will be held at Patten Square, located between Georgia Avenue and Lindsey Street in Downtown Chattanooga. Ayelet's Style has a brick-and-mortar location, and can be found at 4330 Ringgold Rd Ste 3, East Ridge, Chattanooga TN.