Ashlynn Park is a fashion designer who is swimming against the tide. In an industry upheld by trend cycles that crash and wash out like waves, crafting timeless pieces has become somewhat subversive. Armed with a seasoned pattern maker’s eye for detail and a mother’s determination to build a better world for her daughters, Park is spearheading her own rebellion against fast fashion with her namesake label ASHLYN by crafting zero-waste tailored silhouettes that transcend time.
Under Park’s touch, monotonous suit jackets are deconstructed and lent a feminine edge with billowing shoulders and bondage straps, while everyday button-downs are transformed into captivating off-the-shoulder tops and draped dresses. “There is something so uniquely appealing to see a confident woman in a perfectly tailored garment”, explains Park. “To me, it is all about the wearer, how someone’s personality can bring a garment to life.”
The designer’s quiet yet luxurious garments, which simultaneously evoke elegance and confidence, are not the only testament to her tailoring prowess. This past March, she was selected as a finalist for the 2022 LVMH Prize for Young Designers, one of the most prestigious awards in fashion. “Honestly, it feels like a dream,” says Park, “I am so honoured and excited to have my brand recognised in this way.”
Park’s natural flair for design can be traced back to her school days in her native Seoul. Despite initially majoring in architecture, she won a fashion contest run by an industrial minister after some fashion illustration lessons. After winning Japan’s SO-EN Award in 2008, she sewed as a patternmaker under Yohji Yamamoto’s wing for three years before she was given a chance to work on her own designs — a time that is reflected in the meticulous craftsmanship and intentional, eco-conscious approach that defines ASHLYN.
“Yohji taught me to question everything I designed: what is the purpose of each detail? Do we really need that trim? From his rigorous teachings, I developed the discipline I needed to perfect my work. He instilled a sense of pride and commitment to quality in me that countered a world where overproduction and overconsumption in fashion have become the norm.”
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In 2011, the South Korean designer moved to New York, where she worked alongside Alexander Wang and later with the likes of Dion Lee and Raf Simons at Calvin Klein. It was a journey that began with a new set of challenges, compounded by the responsibilities of becoming a mother. She reveals, “At the time, I was quite depressed because of my new role, motherhood, and thought it was the end of my career.”
With Nili Lotan, a fellow working mother, Park considered launching her own label for the first time. “She promised me 9am-5pm as my working hours since she understood my situation as a new mother. During that time, I saw her path as a designer and a businesswoman. She started her business after she raised three kids”, recalled Park. “Nili was an example of incredible strength and showed me a different side of the industry, the business side. It was then I started to think of my own business.”
But she pushed these thoughts aside and took on a freelancing gig under another designer, thinking it was what was best for her daughters until her eldest came up to her with a simple question:
“Mummy, what is your dream?”
“After my daughter asked me this question, my whole perspective changed. When they grow up, they must realise their dreams, and I will do everything I can to help make their dreams happen for them. So, I made it my mission to become an example for my girls. I started thinking about what I could do to change the fashion industry for the better and launched my own brand with this mission in mind.”
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Motherhood lies at the heart of ASHLYN’s sustainable ethos. “[Being a mother has] made me question excess more and more. I feel a responsibility to leave a better planet for them. In a system where waste is the norm, we have to do better.” She continues, “I decided that I needed to address this problem head-on, so I launched a Zero Waste capsule collection each season. For AW22, the Dillon Shirt Dress is made from one piece of fabric, which has been draped to form the shape.”
In addition to crafting her collections from responsibly sourced, low-impact natural fibres such as linen, reiterative wool, and organic cotton, Park also offers bespoke tailoring at ASHLYN, ensuring that pieces are only created when there is a demand to reduce unnecessary waste.
Through it all, Park has carried away with her one lesson she wishes to pass on to her daughters: to never give up. “Throughout my career, so many people told me that I would never be able to pursue my dream of launching my own brand while raising a family”, she explains. “Industry norms prevent women from balancing their careers with their personal life. It’s like we have to pick one: brand or baby. I don’t believe in that. I work efficiently with my team so that, they too, can enjoy their personal lives. We all deserve happiness.”
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Lead Image: Courtesy of Ashlynn Park
