11 Things I Wish I Knew Before Fashion School

I wasn't the average fashion hopeful. My awkward stages lasted longer than most (maybe I'm still in one?) including an odd obsession with Spongebob Squarepants well into my teens, a preppy period + teetering towards punk for a hot second. Throughout it all, the idea of not blending in with the rest of the world was the motivation behind it all and what led me to pursuing a creative career.

A recent run in with some aspiring young blood got me looking back and dwelling on some sage advice I could've used back in the day.

1. Pay attention in Textiles class

It’s kind of like memorizing your times table- it’s the foundation for a bunch of other stuff you’re going to learn. Before I started college, I couldn’t tell you the difference between a woven and a knit. Getting that down pat took a long time for me to wrap my head around. Having that basic knowledge can give you a baby jump start.

2. Pay attention in Business & Leadership classes

Turns out a lot of that stuff is actually super valuable if you ever end up going into business for yourself. Even if you end up hiring out most of those services, chances are that you’ll start out doing it all.

3. Basically just pay attention in general

Except for Phys Ed. You can even do like I did & get college credit for “Relaxation” & sleep through the entire thing. You’ll likely need some time devoted to the subject anyway.

4. A more definite idea of “my style/voice”

Now-a-days I look back at most of my projects & cringe. Maybe they were cool several years back (probably not). But I was still trying to figure out who I was as a designer and what I had to say with my work.

This one’s tricky, because it just takes time (& a lot of ugly phases) before most people figure it out. I just wish I had been a little bit closer. Make as much stuff as you can. Always be drawing & always be creating.

5. Put the time, effort & money in

College is expensive & chances are you’ll be poor, but there are some instances where putting a little more money towards the final project is just plain worth it. I’m talking senior collections & your portfolio- the things that will hopefully help you get a job.

ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS start in muslin, not fashion fabric & don’t bother splurging on super fancy materials until your final year or until you’re absolutely confident in your vision.

BETTER YET- get good at making cheap stuff look expensive.

6. Pull all-nighters in the sewing lab

Just do it. Working in a vacuum sucks (pun not intended). Enjoy the camaraderie, learn to work with your fellow peers & take constructive criticism/feedback. It will make you a better designer.

7. It’s never too early to network

I avoided career days at all costs. That was dumb. Because I also failed nearly every interview I ever went to.

You’re going through the same program with a ton of other hopefuls hoping to score the same jobs. But if they score one first, they can tell their boss how great their fellow classmate is at X,Y & Z. Keep in touch with your connections/classmates. You never know how they can help you out later.

8. Spend some extra time getting “inspired”

I had the pleasure of studying in Europe for a semester where the whole idea of gathering inspiration is anything but fluff. It’s serious business.

We spent 5X as long on that portion of the design process than in the States. We filled sketchbooks with ideas and research and photos before even thinking about starting to sketch.

Dive into it, become immersed, really get into your muse.

9. STUDY ABROAD

If you have the means to do it- DO IT.

Get out of your comfort zone, see places you’ve dreamed of seeing, travel, travel, travel. All while learning, of course ;)

10. Really get to know your professors

They’re there because they know their stuff. Get to know them personally, too. Ask questions about their journey & experience. They’ve probably got some cool stories up their sleeves.

No need to go all teacher’s pet on ‘em, but they’ve probably got connections with prospective jobs, too.

11.You don’t know everything

With 3 seasons of Project Runway under my belt, I thought I could conquer the fashion world. I knew nothing. And a lot of times that hurt me.

Growing a thick skin is essential- there’s lots of tough love ahead. Take it and learn from it! The first few projects will be garbage-ish. You’ll be so proud of them, but there’s a learning curve. Keep at it and know that the harder you keep working, the more rewarding it is to compare those first pieces to your last.

Keep growing, keep learning, keep improving.

BIZ CRUSH: Ashley Mary

The colors, the shapes & her love for a good vintage coat- that's how I stumbled across Ashley Mary & her art on Instagram.

If that wasn't enough, she's creates kick ass installations, teaches a class on Brit + Co, PLUS she's designed products you can buy at Design Loop & Target. So yeah, she basically does it all.

Keep reading to find out how she paved her path in the art world.

Photo by Kelsey Lee Photography

What kind of kid were you growing up?

I was a tiny ham with curly hair and dreams of being a star! I loved to put on plays, sing, and dance for anyone with a pulse. I loved to play with friends but honestly really loved just playing by myself too. I could play endlessly by myself. I did a lot of heavy make-believing.

How did that affect your artistic path?

I think I’ve always had plenty of creative energy and as a kiddo that expressed itself more as a performance and as an adult, it’s taken shape as visual art (unless you toss me in front of a karaoke machine). The energy has always been inside there though. I had a tiny art “room” as a kid, AKA a weird unused space in the basement. I remember making things out of boxes I would collect but I don’t have a lot of memories around making pictures more than the average kid. It was more structural exploration, things for my dolls or me to use for our imaginary worlds. I always loved arranging things into little collections and was particular about my settings and I think I do that now, but with shapes on a canvas instead.

If your story could fit into a 30 second commercial, how would it go down?

For the low low price of a Minneapolis girl born and raised! I went to school where I studied religion and came out wanting to make art. I think spirituality and creativity are deeply intertwined and when I make things, I feel the most grounded. Through a series of the classic 20-something achievements, mistakes, a quarter-life crisis, I left my job and went back to school for graphic design. After school I learned I loved to art direct, prop-style, illustrate and make a lot of things all the time so I decided to freelance my way through life. As time goes by, my art leans most towards painting. Here I am, learning as I go, how to make my art my business and keep my art as my heart and soul. When not painting I love to thrift, travel, dine out, run, and find ways to make things with my hands.

Photo by Kelsey Lee Photography

What ultimately made you decide to do the lovely thing you do?

It wasn’t an overnight choice but rather a slow boil. Art was always on the side, after-hours and it became that my spirit was heavy not spending more time in it. I wanted to move towards a job that allowed me to make beautiful things full-time, not just moonlighting. Being a designer and artist checked off all my requirements for a career choice. It was something I loved doing, something I had natural ability for, and something that kept me energized, challenged, and connected. I’m not perfect at my job. I can barely keep track of my receipts, I have anxiety through the roof but I feel whole in the work I get to wake up and do everyday. So I’ll keep trying it out.

Who’s positively influenced your path the most?

I have two answers. When I was a senior in college I had this instructor, Jen, who taught my Printmaking course. I hated printmaking. We had to etch into metal and use chemicals to print with ink and i was horrible at it and the process was far too slow for me. But Jen also introduced us to another type of printing that involved printing an image in reverse from a xerox copy. Enter in my obsession with collage. And she let me run with it. She saw these weird little collages I would make on paper and sew into and she fanned the fire. Told me to go rogue. And she has no idea what seed she planted in me.

My second answer is my sweet clients and customers. Every single time I make something and someone wants to purchase it or sees the potential for it to become something else, something bigger like a product or a pattern or a mural...every time someone supports my work, I feel encouraged to keep doing it. I not only feel encouraged but I am also sustained to pursue my work because of their financial support, whether it be big or small. Not to mention how kind and encouraging people are who send me sweet emails, come to my shows, comment on my posts. It all matters, all that good energy coming to me feeds back into my work, which I hope only keeps the cycle going.

Favorite part about working for yourself?

I love staying as busy as I want to be with work that matters to me and gives me personal joy. I always got bored, either with my workload or mentally, when I was working for someone else and the solutions were always just more busy work instead of intentional projects. As a freelancer, I can change things up, stay inspired, and take on as many projects or paintings as I feel satisfied to.

Most challenging thing about working for yourself?

Lately it’s wishing I had another person who could project manage, photograph, design, etc Knowing when and who to invite into things that I’m not capable of doing or am not the best person for the job (which is oh so many things)

How do you get your creative juices flowing?

Wake up in the morning! I tend to be short on time, not ideas. :) I’m most excited to make things right away in the morning though and don’t need much to get going. I do love going to art shows and museums and always find that I’m extra energized by that experience though. Watching other people make things is the biggest inspiration for me.

If you could be a fly on the wall to anyone’s creative space {dead or alive} who would it be?

The creators of Pee Wee’s Playhouse.

Photo by Kelsey Lee Photography

Talk about a failure you’ve learned from.

I worked on a big collaboration once that I had to sign a contract for. I didn’t write into the contract how many rounds of revisions the client could have with me and I got walked all over. The project went WAY over the timeline and I spent a lot of weekends cancelling plans and working on it. Hardest lesson learned.

What’s one of your proudest accomplishments in business?

Getting my own self-branded products in Target stores nationwide. First cosmetic bags in 2015, then phone cases in 2016. Not as a collaboration with Target but through their vendors. That was insanely special.

What do you wish you knew when you first started that you know now?

Know the worth of your work and don’t be afraid to ask for what you’re worth. Worse you can hear is “no”.

What has been your favorite project to date & how did it come to fruition?

I got to paint my third mural as a part of a Super Bowl experience called ‘Sota Pop put together by Explore MN and Colle McVoy. Located on 5th and Nicollet downtown, the experience walked you through a series of rooms designed by other local artist, each representing a different season. I was given fall. It turned into this bright, abstract color cave with dimensional shapes and confetti guests could toss at the camera. it’s been really fun to see people post pics inside the space and enjoying it. I’ve been really getting into painting on a larger scale and doing an installation like this felt really special to be a part of. You can see more pics at #SotaPop.

What’s the coolest thing you’ve seen or experienced thanks to your career path?

I got to go to Paris and Saint Tropez last summer as part of a very special collaboration I did with a company in Saint Tropez. It was one of those once in a lifetime experiences and my first time in France.

What’s next / what are you most excited about?

I have three murals this month I can’t wait to start!

Photo by Kelsey Lee Photography

Time of the day you are most productive:

9am.

The app you couldn’t live without:

Instagram is a big part of how my audience connects with what I’m making, it would be harder to get as many eyes in front of my work without it. But practically speaking, Other apps I use a LOT are Dropbox, Mile IQ, and my bank’s app. Hate driving to the bank!

Social media outlet you love most:

Instagram

Favorite account to follow on this outlet:

I love so many! I follow a lot of interior designers, illustrators, and tattoo artist but my fav guilt pleasure is @subwaycreatures

Favorite internet radio station at the moment:

Last podcast I listened to was “Making Oprah”.

Favorite Netflix binge:

Just finished the latest season of Black Mirror, so dark and good.

Go to piece in your wardrobe:

I just snagged this giant vintage bulky winter cardigan that’s knee length, emerald green with an abstract black pattern on it. I’ve been tossing it over everything and channeling the Grey Garden vibes.

The coolest art supply you own:

Maybe my projector for casting images unto larger platforms.

Favorite medium to work with:

Paper and acrylic paint.

The best “hidden gem” in the community:

I never share this answer. Seriously. Because then everyone will go to it and then it wouldn’t be special anymore. HA!

Photo by Kelsey Lee Photography

See more from Ashley Mary here: Online | Instagram | In Person: Northrup King Building in NE Minneapolis

#wordsofwisdom #bizcrush #entrepreneurship

MY CREATIVE MONTH

I'm spending the rest of February 2018 devoted to creative vibes only.

How did this all come about? Some deep conversations about what I want from my business, what brings me joy & how I got started doing this in the first place. It was an experiment & exercise to revive the pure joy that comes with creating which just to happens to get hindered all too often due to the whole running a business mumbo jumbo.

What would happen if for a month I just focused on the creative? A few loose guidelines were set and off we go.

The business can still run, but no existential business goals may be worked on for the rest of the month (i.e. daily to do lists, contacting new retailers, or fancy photo shoots) only creating things without profit margins in mind.

I started documenting the journey for my own sake & then realized that it might be nice to share. However, in order to do that another stipulation had to hold true- no fancy photo shoots/spending copious amounts of time editing pictures. This is the view from my eyes (or iPhone, rather).

Here we goooooo!

2/5/18 DAY 1:

The challenge is officially under way late into the day. I’ve spent the rest of the evening scouring Pinterest gathering new/old ideas & inspiration of what to create. Using it as wallpaper on this blank space is just an added bonus.

2/6/18 DAY 2:

It’s basically day one, but actually day two & I’m already frustrated. Something about endless possibilities, maybe? Not knowing where to start? I began by using my time today to map out my mom’s birthday gift- a new handbag (shhhh- don't tell Dawn). The sky’s the limit. So long as the color palette includes blue, green & turquoise (the only colors my mother owns). I gathered a few materials, leather & fabric choices and doodled a few quick sketches.

Ok- so that counts, right?

But this seems too daunting. Isn’t the point of this experiment to shy away from deadlines & to do lists? They why on earth am I starting out on day two (but actually kind of day one) with the largest task that I know I have to finish within the next 19 days?

Onto to the next thing & the thing that I’m actually counting for today: leather cabinet handles. They’ve been on my radar for quite some time & could quite possibly be the finishing touch that our kitchen cabinets need.

What was supposed to be quick stop to buy supplies just sparks more frustration and a new business idea: a female focused hardware store. Everything would be re-designed from the layout to the shelving. Will someone please do this???

Fun fact: there is an entire aisle devoted to screws at Menards complete with slide-able compartments that are hiding more rows of slide-able compartments behind them which all house different styles and sizes of screws. Needless to say, I walked out of there with the wrong thing.

On top of it, I can’t find the right color leather in the appropriate thickness for the project. Also, I think the man of the house hates them.

I could call today a waste. And right now it feels like it. But it’s another experiment under my belt. Another thing that I know doesn’t work, and another idea sparked of what I can try next time. Once the sting of today wears off and I’m ready to tackle kitchen hardware again.

2/7/18 DAY 3:

I’m back at the handbag. With a new attitude & coffee in hand, I nailed down a design first thing in the morning. Once that’s figured out, I tend to jump right into making. No double checking that I’ve got large enough pieces of leather or enough fabric lining. If a road block comes up, it’s just another opportunity to get creative with a solution.

2/8/18 DAY 4:

Turns out I crave this tedious stuff- it’s like a puzzle. Also turns out that I tend to make lots of little mistakes along the way. I’m starting to think it’s on purpose on some subconscious level. Not thinking the design through down to every little detail leaves little puzzles to be solved along the way. It can be frustrating at times, but deep down it’s a challenge and any project without its challenges is pretty boring.

2/9/18 DAY 5:

Speaking of challenges... there were plenty today. Turns out I'm getting really great at turning mistakes into design details.

On an unrelated note, I love writing secret notes on the inside.

2/10/18 DAY 6:

Today I learned not to take a heated workspace for granted (& also how to check the propane level of our tank... #lifeinthewoods). So until my workshop thaws, I'll be working on mobile projects in the comfort of my cozy home or wherever else it's warm.

2/11/18 DAY 7:

I’m appreciating things happening the way they do as I've been forced not to spend every waking moment working on some sort of project. A frozen workshop pushed me towards other activities + a productive trip to the fabric store where I raided a section that I usually brush over: TRIMS.

This month as I’m giving myself permission not to focus on creating wares for the sake of selling, I’m devoting some time to making a few updates to my wardrobe. As business-y things always take precedence, I rarely take time to up-cycle my own clothes into something cool. I’m trying to challenge myself to go shopping in my own closet & rather than donate what I don’t like to wear, use my sewing skills to turn them into stuff I would enjoy.

Fringe-y sleeves & pom pom hems coming soon!

2/12/18 DAY 8:

It's all about the sleeves. And these are over the top.

I salvaged the gray top from my "donate" pile & the black one from the back of my closet. Now we just need some short sleeves weather to show them off.

2/13/18 DAY 9:

Sometimes mistakes turn into features that you wouldn’t have thought to create otherwise. And sometimes you have to take everything apart, cut off an inch & re-assemble.

This morning felt like a step backwards, but ultimately, it was a step in the right direction. And a step I probably wouldn't have taken had I not given my permission to create freely.

SURPRISE- I goofed up somewhere along the way with my pattern or or cutting & ended up with a longer dimension than expected. I didn't really notice it until half the bag was put together, but figured that a few extra minutes to fix it would be worth it. SURPRISE (again)- it was.

2/14/18 DAY 10:

Puzzles keep appearing & I keep knocking them out of the park. From the zipper to the lining to the shoulder strap, each unplanned portion eventually makes sense and pieces itself together.

Today included lots of math, measuring & re-doing stuff. IT'S ALMOST DONE.

Also, these clips are the best.

2/15/18 DAY 11:

My rule of thumb is keep working until it looks like the picture. Then add a tassel.

SHE’S FINISHED. And I can’t wait to see what my momma thinks.

2/16/18 DAY 12:

We've decided to get a dog & after a trip to the pet store, my frugality is kicking in strong. $20 for a plain black leash? I can make it myself. With leather. Sure, it may take half a day, but I've gotta make something anyway!

2/17/18 DAY 13:

I swore I wasn’t going to become a crazy dog mom. Turns out it might be too late.

2/18/18 DAY 14:

I have nothing to show you except a messy workspace & a ton of stuff that didn’t work. Today was fun. I allowed myself to experiment and play. I also allowed myself to walk away without a concrete idea or concept. And on top of that, be ok with it.

I allowed weird ideas to flow & to let myself to get resourceful when I didn’t have the right pieces I needed. I raided the man cave for tools & rewarded myself for a successfully unsuccessful day with a Sunday snowmobile ride.

Today I allowed myself to enjoy the journey. And it feels so good.

2/19/18 DAY 15:

So. Much. Snow. An outdoor activity only seemed appropriate.

Sure, a snow angel may sort of be cheating on SOME level. But I’m justifying it with an Instagram poll where approximately 97% of voters said it was acceptable. However, I will also appease the other 3% by stating that I scribbled a possible solution to yesterday’s conundrum in the wee hours of Day 14... SO CLOSE to today that it should also count for something.

2/20/18 DAY 16:

Today was hard. And as I was about to sit down & start writing about hitting my breaking point I powered through instead. Well, I cracked open a beer first, then I powered through. Actually, if I’m being COMPLETELY honest… I took a break, got stuck in my own driveway, cracked open a beer, followed by the powering through stuff.

I almost moved onto another project, but couldn't quite let go of this one. It's diverted from it's original inspiration, but it's way closer to its fruition that it was earlier this evening.

2/21/18 DAY 17:

Today was full of little victories: ⠀ 1. This yarn {it came from a scarf I thrifted last week} 2. I discovered an ingenius/resourceful way to de-wrinkle said yarn {it includes an iron + a metal waste basket} 3. The vacuum bin is going to be a giant tornado of colorful fuzz {& it’s kind of weird how excited I am about that}⠀

2/22/18 DAY 18:

I’m going to go out on a limb to guess that along with hardware stores, upholstery fabrics are also designed by men. Because if the ugliest shade of tan in a very corduroy-like fabric wasn’t enough, let’s slap a hideous print on the other side of a cushion, throw it in with the couch & pretend like it’s a free gift with purchase. ⠀ ⠀ The pillows that came with our sofa have been living in storage, but it was finally time for these fugly beasts to get a makeover.

2/23/18 DAY 19:

May playing in the fresh mountain of snow or experimenting with the fresh mountain of leather scraps be my reward after prepping for the Hygge Market. ⠀ Excited to debut the collab with Art by SJ Nielsen in person where we’ll both be selling our wares at this outdoor market. Rumor has it there will also be fuzzy animals, bonfires & warm treats. So there’s that.⠀ ⠀ In the meantime, I’ll be bundled up inside, thinking warm thoughts & trying to convince you to drop by on Saturday, March 3 between 10am-5pm to say hello!⠀

2/24/18 DAY 20:

The most exciting/creative-related thing that happened today was that my mom loved her bag. Oh, and I wrapped it. So I guess that counts for something, too?

2/25/18 DAY 21:

Back to square one on a couple different levels. With celebrating birthdays & celebrating a new fuzzy member of the family- I’ve spent a few minutes here and there attempting to perfect my first project. And it’s still proving to be difficult. So I guess some things never change.

2/26/18 DAY 22:

With distractions on the rise {& the urge to keep sewing}, I'm taking on something terribly simple: a tote bag. Today I tackled the straps which could easily be mistaken for another dog leash. But I swear it’s not.

2/27/18 DAY 23:

I made this out of necessity. Because I was carrying around some bag with some random logo for some random company that I don’t feel the need to keep toting around when I can tote my own name around on a tote.

I reverted to an Instagram poll once again for some help on how to customize it a bit more. End result coming soon.

2/28/18 DAY 24:

IT IS DONE. The tote. The challenge. My complaints about taking on the challenge.

I am so happy to be at this point, glad that I partook in nearly a full month of creativity & excited to gather some final thoughts + convince fellow creatives that this is a great idea {blog post coming soon}.

Thanks for keeping me accountable, for joining in & for following along!

Onward to new & exciting things.

#mycreativemonth #makedoandmend #inthestudio #enjoythejourney #behindthescenes