Ames Tovern

Business major-turned-accessories maven, Aimee Gildea is the founder and creative director behind Ames Tovern. Gildea was born in Palo Alto, California and grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area. Gildea graduated from the University of Southern California's Marshall School of Business and established a career at Google in Sales and Advertising. Taking  a deeper dive into her fashion pursuits, Gildea embarked on a year-long sabbatical to study design and couture sewing at Apparel Arts in San Francisco, which culminated in a 12 piece collection of every day and special occasion apparel. Ames Tovern is her first accessories line. 

Ames Tovern is an American-made accessories company featuring modern fanny packs redesigned to be worn with style and ease. The idea for a collection of designer fanny packs came to Aimee Gildea while traveling through Europe in college. Juggling a camera, street map, water bottle, and chocolate gelato, Gildea dreamed of a fashionable bag that would keep her hands-free and her essentials secure. Finding few chic options on the market, she set out to create her own.