Meet Ashley Harris

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Harris. 

Hi Ashley, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I realized my love for design at around 8 years old when I took an interest in creating my own pieces for Barbies and American Girl dolls. My great-grandmother was a wedding dress seamstress and helped me learn the basics until I could finally partake in a fashion design class in high school. And by high school fashion design class I mean, reworking pieces from the salvation army. I added tulle, beads, airbrush paint, and whatever embellishment I could find to these pieces to start making them my own. I went on to study Fashion Design at Western Michigan University and then was accepted to The Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. I was able to do independent study courses at WMU to expand my knowledge and creativity in couture and fabric manipulation techniques. This in turn helped me to land a coveted internship at Vera Wang’s atelier while in New York City interning under her design team for runway ready-to-wear and bridal. I moved back to Metro Detroit at the end of 2013 and started my brand with designing, cutting, and sewing custom evening wear for clients and showing eclectic collections in events throughout the state including the North American International Auto Show. I currently work as an automotive engineer designing seat trim in vehicles for a Tier 1 supplier while continuing to build my brand. 

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Definitely not. Trying to create something unique in such a saturated market is a struggle in itself. Then add in working a full-time job to support that something unique and trying to stay inspired and motivated in that routine. In 2013 I started managing a retail store making very little, but I kept working on my skills. I kept showing up to events wearing my own garments that I had made by hand and showing my designs in shows around the city. I began to meet people and build my network. But creating new pieces for each event and show is time-consuming, costly, and difficult at times. Creating garments from sketch through completed look takes many hours and typically costs more than a store-bought garment. This was another obstacle for me and building a clientele. Fitting in the time to create these pieces between my day job and personal life had taken its toll on my health multiple times. So, I started working my way up through luxury retail positions until I landed my engineering position in hopes to be able to fund manufacturing for my designs one day. The past 4 years I have been balancing and succeeding in engineering while still holding onto my dream of being a designer. I had to learn time management, I had to sacrifice a personal life for months at a time, and mostly I had to figure out what works for me and how to prioritize. 

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a fashion designer. What I’m known for is my evening-wear designs and fabric/print choices. There is a lot to be proud of when I look at how far I’ve come. To name a few, getting accepted and graduating Magna Cum Laude from FIT, my garment being chosen for the graduate exhibition also at FIT, being named Best Dressmaker by Hour Detroit Magazine in 2019, being featured in the Detroit Free Press for leading a mask-making initiative at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic and being featured in FIT’s Art & Design Blog in 2020. 

I think what sets me apart from other designers is my unique skillset. Like I said previously, I studied fabric manipulation techniques for a large part of my college career. One of my strengths is using that knowledge to create textures and embellishments on my pieces which elevates their outcome. I also mostly create pieces by using the draping technique unless I absolutely have to flat pattern. I believe that draping allows me to create shapes and movement throughout a garment. 

Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
I believe in putting yourself out there. If you want it bad enough, you’ll take yourself out of your comfort zone to get noticed. I have shown up to events alone without knowing anyone in attendance more times than I can count wearing one of my own handmade garments. Typically, I’ll wear something that I think can spark up a conversation, especially at a fashion event – you are never too bold. 

Contact Info:

• Email: ashleyharrisdesign@gmail.com
• Website: www.ashleyharrisdesign.com
• Instagram: @ashleyharrisdesign
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/ashleyharrisdesign

Image Credits
Joe Polimeni
Charles Poole
Brandi Bautell
Janika Green
Ashley Hart
Kylie Dittman
Jordan Stonehouse
Claire Griedanus