Meet Ashlyn So | Fashion Designer and Activist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ashlyn So and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ashlyn, do you disagree with some advice that is more or less universally accepted?
When I was in montessori preschool i learned to sew small things such as stuffed animals and christmas ornaments. I got older and at 6 years old I decided I wanted to go to a sewing class. I begged my mom to let me go and when I finally went for the first time, I fell in love with fashion and the idea of creation. I started sewing outside of class on my own at home and designed new things everyday. When I was 9 years old I was invited to show my collection in Texas and I designed and made a whole collection for the show. Soon my mom decided to document everything I was doing and put it on instagram. Soon after I started my fashion brand, Ashlyn So, and it has come a long way since. I have done a couple of NYFW and PFW. I most recently was able to show my collection at my first solo show in New York . I currently sell my pieces at ashlynso.com.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I make demi-couture/custom dresses for women who are looking for one-of-a-kind and unique dresses going to fundraisers, galas and special occasions. I also design for weddings and have a new made-to-order line.

My brand and style has come a long way since I first started. I can see how much I have truly grown and changed throughout the years. Every single one my of experiences and opportunities have taught me so many lessons not only about the fashion industry but also about life. Although I started sewing at 6 years old, I only first truly got into the fashion industry age 9 when I showed my first handmade collection at Texas Fashion Week supporting anti-bullying. It was the first time for everything. My first time in Texas, my first time designing a collection, my first time showing a collection, my first time having models wearing my designs, and my first time even showing my collection at a fashion show. I am humbled to say that I have done 5 more shows since in New York and Paris with the most recent solo show at NYFW.

My design is avant-garde. I think most people didn’t think I was the designer especially before I was I was a teenager. I had to prove that I designed and made every single piece that they saw on the runway. My garments are also very sculpture and not something that people have seen. That experience helped me figure out how to make garments the way that I had in my mind or on my sketches and learned a lot through trial and error along the way. A lot of people also think that my designs are architectural. It might have to do with the fact that I had to resort to unconventional materials to make my designs come to reality. I remembered I used to have to remake an entire garment 2-3 times because something went wrong. I used to think that I spent more time unpicking than sewing because I made so many mistakes or things didn’t come out how I wanted it.

I have always been shy. At these fashion shows, I need to realize my vision. So I had to find the courage to tell the models how to walk and pose and where to stand. It was daunting. There were a lot of figure out how to do something according to what is usually done. However, I have found that sometimes, not having the preconceived ideas helped me create better connections with people involved. I have had models who became friends and modeled for me since I was little.

My most recent 3 shows, each concept of the show, I have combined it with activism. Fashion is a conversation starter and I want people who are interested in my clothing to have a tool to start talking about the difficult subjects like racism, stereotypes and mental health. My most recent NYFW show is called Unseen. It talks about my own mental health journey feeling unheard and unseen (first few dresses in white as transparent, then in silver to try to assimilate but lost myself, then in greys reflecting a depression of what’s in my head) and finally finding a path to heal and rose like a phoenix (in red pieces). But it’s a process and we are all trying to heal.

Looking back my designs seemed so cringe and childish but it was the stepping stone to how I could even get here today and I’m so grateful for every opportunity I have had along the way because it has shaped and changed who I am today. I’m so excited for what the future holds and every lesson I get to learn.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I live in San Francisco, California. If my best friend was visiting the area for the first time, I would bring them all around the bay area. I would bring them to eat brunch at Mint & Honey in Burlingame, for lunch I would bring them to Joe and Juice in San Francisco and for lunch, I would recommend the Tunacado, lastly for dinner I would bring them for sushi at Japantown. For activities I would bring them to Union Square to go ice skating and ramen after. Then we would go thrifting in San Francisco and shopping at Westfield Valleyfair Mall.

I also frequent Los Angeles and it’s one of my favorite cities. I’d recommend watching sunset and the DTLA skyline at Mutholland Drive. Eating and shopping at the Arts District. I also love going to Mood Fabrics in DTLA. Santa Monica downtown and the beach is a must go as well. And if you are into cars, the Petersen Museum has the best collection of Porsches and vintage cars at the Vault.

All the photos in this article is taken at the Arts District next to a Porsche!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to dedicate my shoutout to my mom. She has been my constant support and has always been there for me. She helps me navigate through and is my constant mentor and I look up to her everyday. She is always able to help me with the background side of my fashion while being a mom and being a full time architect. I aspire to be as resilient, brave, and understanding as her.

Website: https://ashlynso.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashlynso_/?hl=en

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashlyn-so-518a79275

Twitter: https://twitter.com/i/flow/login?redirect_after_login=%2Fashlynso_

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ashlynso.fashion/

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@ashlynso?si=gSuqL1iTK8vYtsI-

Image Credits
Personal photo of Ashlyn is by Jason Leung the 8 photos of her work is by Joyce Charat