Today we’d like to introduce you to Asia Goss.
Asia, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I am giving a brief synopsis of things that have happened over a stretch of time.
When I was a small child, maybe around the age of 4, I would watch my father sew. I can remember he made my favorite mustard and black wrap skirt( that I always wanted to wear) and my “Catwoman” costume complete with pointed ears and tail. My father would also watch the E channel which was a fashion and entertainment channel. I fondly remember the theme music for one of the fashion new shows they used to air. My father wasn’t interested in pursuing a career as a fashion designer so over time he just stopped sewing.
Out of nowhere at 16, I began sketching gowns with absolutely no knowledge of how to construct them or even properly illustrate them. Sometime later while I was attending Highland Park Career Academy I had taken up culinary arts. Now my original plan was to actually go to Johnson and Wales to become a chef. Believe it or not my first passion was cooking! That’s a whole others story! After not being immediately accepted into the university I decided to enroll into IADT to pursue a degree in fashion design. There I learned construction, illustration and had my first experience of being a part of a “fashion show”. Shortly after graduating from IADT I went on to further my education by obtaining my Master of Science (MS) in Textile Apparel and Merchandising in 2015. While in school I worked in retail for 11 years and for the last year I have been a paraprofessional teaching 6th graders math and reading through learning how to sew.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The biggest struggle is being motivated. I have to not allow myself or others to tell me that I can’t do something. Everyday I pray for confidence, humility, patience for others and myself. Outside of that it’s making time to do what I love and having the resources to execute these big ideas I have. Fortunately, I have a loving mother that has her loving parents who are all my biggest supporters and the reason I am where I am today!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I specialize in making women’s couture dresses and clothing. My designs can be considered sexy and risque however I like to put detail into my clothing so I like to think my concepts can be viewed as the artwork.
One of my most proud moments is when I decided to start producing my own fashion shows. In March of 2020 I had decided to be a part of a fashion show that showcased about 20 different designers over a few hours. It was very similar to my experience at IADT fashion shows and I didn’t particularly care for the concept. Organized but just wasn’t my cup of tea. Some time after that show I attended a fashion show that my colleague and friend Michael Kelly had produced himself. After that I was informed and did my first show. For my first show I showcased 4 other designers. For my second fashion show I originally intended to have other designers but things happened and I almost ended up not having the show at all. I was able to pull it off because my partner Madam Chance believed in me and was able to support me in more ways than one so that second show happened!
For me,I really want Pink Asassnn to have its own fashion shows and the focus to be on the structure of the garments and not the “noise” of the new fashion show concepts. I put a lot of time into my pieces. I illustrate, draft, and construct each piece myself according to each of the models ‘ specific measurements. I want my fashion shows to be just that, a show of my designs and skills.
I wasn’t fully aware of the work that goes into producing and marketing a fashion show. I am a fashion designer, I know how to make collections. I may have a concept of what I want my fashion show to look like but having the knowledge to bring it to fruition was another and it’s because of that I’m proud of myself for pulling it off TWICE!
Another thing that I am most proud of was trademarking my logo by myself! I was truly proud of myself for that because it is HIGHLY recommended that you hire a trademark lawyer. I couldn’t afford one and I really wanted my logo trademarked so I just went for it! But that was after extensive research, hours of note taking, and going to free meetings to gain even more insight on the trademark process.
I know it said the most but I couldn’t choose!
What sets me apart from others is my intention. The reason why I’m doing all of this. There reason why I am going this is so that I am able to give the youth in my community a skill and an example of what they themselves can accomplish.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
For the fashion industry yes there are huge shifts and changes that are going on and will continue for at least another 10 years in my opinion. You can see just from prom alone, at least in my community, that it has created a very lucrative market for designers or seamstresses. It isn’t driven by the ability to create 1,000’s of the same dresses but unique 1 of a kind dresses. That alone is a shift from going to the department store to get your dress to now seeking out the hottest local designer in your city or state.
Pricing:
- For consultations it’s $50 for 1 hour. Schedule consultation for price on custom design.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://pinkasassnn.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pinkasassnn?igsh=MWFvY3hmeTg2OTY0cA==
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/PinkAsassnn/?http_ref=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cucGlua2FzYXNzbm4uY29tLw%3D%3D
Image Credits
All photos are credit of Stéphane Parker of Raymond Carlos is the photographer.
Models as they appear:
1. Awa Laster
2. Kay Kay
3. Shawna Andrich
4. Madam Chance
5. Makayla Monique
6. Jeannie Chambers
7. Lily Chrzanowski
8. Kay Edwards
9. Yaminah Brown
The first photo is NOT me! It’s the photo that best represents my brand Pink Asassnn.
