The Talk with designer Ashlyn So
From sewing camp at 6 years old to Ellen DeGenerous show. Ashlyn So, the rising star of fashion world talks to Gazette du Bon Ton.
The “Aha!” Moment
Ashlyn: I’ve been creating for as long as I can remember, but the moment it truly clicked was when I was eight and presented my first collection to raise funds against bullying. Seeing how clothing could carry emotion, spark conversation, and make people feel seen made me realize fashion was more than creativity; it was a language. That was when I understood I wasn’t just making clothes, I was designing with purpose.
Three-Word Aesthetic
Ashlyn: If my design style were a playlist, it would feel: Avant-garde, emotional, and immersive. My work lives somewhere between structure and fluidity pieces that feel cinematic and layered, meant to be experienced rather than just worn.
The “First Draft” Cringe
Ashlyn: I do often "cringe" at my old work but I have learned to see it as the foundation. Those first sketches hold so much honesty and fearlessness. They remind me of why I started and how important it is to create without self-doubt. Growth doesn’t mean rejecting your past, it means honoring it.
The Double Life
Ashlyn: Switching between school and fashion is about shifting mindsets. One part of my day is focused on learning in a classroom, the other is deeply internal and creative. I try to stay grounded and present in both worlds. My classmates know what I do, but I’m still just a student figuring things out like everyone else.
Burnout vs. Bliss
Ashlyn: There are days when rest is more important than productivity. On those days, I let myself pause without guilt. Creativity needs space to breathe. I remind myself that fashion is something I love, not something meant to drain me. Listening to my body and emotions is part of sustaining both my art and myself.
The Gen Z Edge
Ashlyn: Being a young designer allows me to design from lived experience. My generation values authenticity, vulnerability, and meaning. I’m not designing for an abstract audience, I'm designing from within my own reality, and I think that honesty resonates.
Mistakes into Masterpieces
Ashlyn: Some of my favorite design moments came from accidents. Once, a miscut during draping created an unexpected opening in a garment. Instead of fixing it, I explored it and it became the focal point of the piece. Those moments remind me that perfection isn’t the goal discovery is.
The “I Made It” Piece
Ashlyn: I’d love to see someone like Zendaya or Hunter Schafer wear my designs. They both embody fearlessness, fluidity, and self-expression values that deeply align with my work.
Advice to the Quiet Creatives
Ashlyn: Keep creating, even when no one is watching. Your ideas don’t need validation to be meaningful. The quiet moments sketching in the back of a notebook, creating just for yourself are often where the most powerful work begins.