Even before graduating from New York's ubiquitous Fashion Institute of Technology, Joann Padilla was working for a trendy junior's line. Within months she was promoted to Design Director and her designs began to sell-thru at the hottest boutiques in the country.

In 1996, something happened which changed Joann's life forever - the birth of her only daughter Aleya, whom she describes as her "greatest achievement". As Joann raised Aleya, she spent her free time designing and making her own handbags. Friends asked her to make for them as well. Strangers on the street approached her to find out where she bought them. And soon Joann had developed a small but loyal clientele all on her own. One of her customers turned out to be the fashion editor for a famous NY magazine. Joann was invited up to the offices to present her bags for the staff. This resulted in getting valuable editorials for her bag line and Joann came to realize that her little hobby was much, much more, and Aleya NY was born.