Effortless Elegance of AvA
Women-owned family-run Ala von Auersperg creates wearable art for refined palettes.
By Sophia Strawser
Mother Daughter Duo
Ala von Auersperg, born Princess Annie-Laurie, never dreamed she’d be the founder of a fashion brand, let alone a prolific painter nor business partners with her daughter Sunny Kneissl Zweig, but just over a decade ago she found herself stumbling into an exciting new chapter.
Balance In Creative Spaces
In 2009, von Auersperg stepped into the creative space. Seeking a new hobby, she reached for a paint brush. It was a natural fit. Shortly thereafter, she began working with a design team to transfer her paintings to fabric, which led to the birth of her iconic namesake brand — AvA. As the collection grew, von Auersperg focused on creative direction while Kneissl Zweig came on board to handle marketing while also juggling life as a teacher. Soon, the pair realized the brand was about to boom, prompting Kneissl Zweig to give up her teaching job and commit to the company full time. And now thanks to their dedicated work, thousands of devoted customers eagerly await every collection — filling their wardrobes with colorful and luxurious kaftans, ponchos, and other effortless pieces.