ASHLYN SPRING/SUMMER 2022 “Capturing the Now”

 To be here; to be in the now. Not to question it, but to embrace it. For ASHLYN Creative Director Ashlynn Park, time is of the essence. 

A period of deep pause and reflection reawakened the exploits of time. With a new season starting and a change of studios from home to NYC, Park became highly attuned to the power of now. In the face of such transience her creativity thrived. 

ASHLYN SS22 captures the moment, the process, the ideas, and the sounds of working and creating in New York City’s Garment District. A return to the energy of this nexus of creativity and production meant translating the moments of the creative process into a wearable collection. 

Many designs take shape through intricate draping techniques that capture the design process in real time. Draped on a dress form, the Renata dress reveals intricate pattern blocks worked to perfection. Deep pleats and ruffles in organic cotton pepper billowing sleeves and cinched waistlines to reflect the folds of time. Hints of transparent mesh tulle detail sculpted bodices to reveal an alluring future. Shades of ivory nod to historical sculpture, intricate silhouettes capture the progress of time. Bold primary colors accent an otherwise monochrome palette. 

On the streets of the Garment District, the castoffs of creation are laid bare. Trash bins overflow with scraps and selvage, remnants discarded. For SS22, Park repurposes the minimal scraps that are produced into padding for transparent dumpling shaped bustles, which are offered to create volume at the hip. 

ASHLYN’s design ethos celebrates individuality and preservation; special attention is paid to waste. Many garments are draped from full cuts of fabric, and no trims are used for embellishment. All garments are pre-ordered and never produced on spec. Materials are vetted and sourced, mostly from Japan, and made by hand ethically in New York City.