With the rapid rise of fast fashion, local designer Angela Ehrig is pushing back against the status quo in her Crown Hill home studio.
Ehrig’s studio, based in North Seattle since 2006, is where she creates each piece for her women’s fashion business, Engayla.
Engayla is a one-woman operation. From selecting and dyeing fabric to envisioning designs, cutting patterns, and sewing each piece by hand, Ehrig does it all. She says, “Mass production has no place in my studio. No two Engayla pieces are alike, because no two women are alike.” Her process reflects a brand philosophy rooted in individuality, functionality, timelessness, and craftsmanship.
Originally from Germany, Ehrig has been a fashion designer since 1992 and has called Seattle home for the past 20 years. Her passion for fashion began at her childhood kitchen table, where she watched her mother recreate Chanel designs. She says her mother not only inspired her love of sewing, but also instilled a deep respect for materials and a commitment to high-quality craftsmanship.
Ehrig says she is “always in pursuit of something truly one of a kind. The woman wearing my work should never have to worry about seeing her same outfit walk past her on the street.” Each scarf, jacket, and shawl reflects not only her design vision, but also the time, skill, and care behind its creation.
She draws inspiration from both her German heritage and Pacific Northwest surroundings, from “the texture of a Pacific Northwest trail” to “the moody palette of a Seattle winter sky.” Her work blends European craftsmanship with the understated beauty of the region.
Engayla will be featured at the Best of the Northwest Spring Show 2026 on April 11–12. Ehrig says her vision for the brand is still evolving, and she hopes it will “reach more women around the world who value artistry over abundance.”
She also opens her studio to visitors interested in learning about the slow fashion process on select Saturdays, with dates listed on her website.
Photo by Engayla