Ashard Richley
The A-List loves meeting new designers!
With FASHION'S NIGHT OUT coming up on September 6th and New York Fashion Week running September 6-13, we thought we'd showcase a new talent for your shopping guilty-pleasure. (Scroll to the bottom of the page for Ashard's gift to you!)
We recently heard about one such rising star - Ashard Richley. After learning about all of her dedication, hard work and accolades - summing up Ashard in one paragraph would be daunting. So to introduce you to this 'tour de design' - we thought we'd do what we do best...
- Love for fashion starts at 6 years old
- In High-School, creates her own dresses, handbags and swimsuits.
- Studies fashion in Florence, Italy and decides accessory-design is her new bag.
- After college, interns for fab handbag line: Be&D in NYC.
- Named assistant designer at lux-line - Reed Krakoff.
- 2009 Starts eponymous accessory line.
- 2010 - Featured in D Magazine’s Edition of “Dallas’s Ten Most Beautiful Women"
- 2011 - Named as one of the top 20 designers in Texas by "Texas’ Next Top Designer".
- Appears on MTV's hit show "Made" as coach to a young Dallas girl.
- Enters Lifetime Television's series, "24 Hour Catwalk". Competes against 3 other designers to create an entire fashion-collection in a day and WINS! Walks away $10,000.00 richer.
Gorgeous, talented AND has a rockin' handbag collection... We just had to ask...
Ashard Richley... "What's on your A-List?"
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Favorite Beauty Product?
- Ok so I hate infomercials but I was sucked into buying Cindy Crawford’s Meaningful Beauty…It’s amazing! I love it!
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Favorite Hair Product?
- I have curly hair so I can’t live without about 6 different products at one time. I love anything for curly hair by Matrix or Biolage.
________________________________________________________________________________________
Favorite Cosmetics?
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Last Fashion item you bought?
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Tech/Gadgets you use?
- Anything Apple…iPhone, MAC, iPad. I can’t function without my Wacom drawing tablet. I design on it every day.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Health/Vitamins products you like?
- I take prenatal vitamins on a daily basis and biotin. They are both great for hair and nails. I also take a B12 to keep my energy up.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Favorite Shopping Website(s)?
- I love ModCloth.com for affordable trendy stuff. It’s great to just snag a cute dress off of for a one-time event. When I’m looking for my higher end items I go to Net-A-Porter.com
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Go to outfit you always look great in?
- I have a few dresses in my closet that I’ve made for myself that fit perfectly and always look amazing. They are my go-to’s!
_________________________________________________________________________________________
What’s always on your Grocery List?
- Almond milk for protein shakes and Soymilk for my coffee!
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Favorite Junk Food?
- Chips and salsa!
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Newest Obsession?
- The Grayling necklace I just bought that can be worn like a million different ways. It’s like 3 necklaces, 3 bracelets, and a belt all in one.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Can’t Live Without?
- YOGA! I have to go at least 3 times a week.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
"Chasing UFO's" on the Nat Geo Channel
Secret Obsession or Indulgence?
- The Nat Geo channel. I LOVE to learn…especially about outer space. I’m a closet nerd and love science and math. In another life I must have been an astronaut!
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Best Gift You Have Ever Received?
- Christian Louboutin heels from my husband on our one year anniversary. Who needs jewelry or a card when you can get Louboutin’s?!
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Best Gift You Have Ever Given?
- I got my husband a pair of amazing hand-cut, ocean pearl and black onyx cufflinks that are reversible for our wedding. They are pretty amazing.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Great Gift idea for “The Person Who Has Everything?”
- This may be a little dorky but I love DIY gifts. I’d make them a cheesy coupon book with coupons for “wishes” of their choice. So they can decide what they don’t have or what they want!
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Best Advice or something you’ve learned in your career?
- I would tell any fashion student that the best thing they can do for themselves if they want to one day start their own line is to get a minor in business or at least take business classes. They don’t teach you a lot of the business stuff in fashion school and it can be a huge struggle.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
What else would you like to do or accomplish?
- I hope to one day have a lifestyle brand. I love every aspect of design and want to create everything. Shoes, bags, clothes, etc.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
AND FINALLY: Any other recommendations you would like to give?
- My husband and I are huge foodies and love to cook. I think every one in the world needs to own a Sous Vide water oven! You can cook like a trained chef with these amazing machines! We cook gourmet meals at home all the time.
______________________________________________________________________________________
WHERE ELSE CAN WE SEE YOU?
- On February 16th I was on Lifetime’s 24 Hour Catwalk. It’s a new episode where 4 designers compete for $10,000. I competed against 3 other designers and…I WON! Check out the show: http://www.mylifetime.com/shows/24-hour-catwalk/video
- I was an MTV Made coach for a local girl. I coached her on becoming prom queen and she won! It was so rewarding and we created a strong bond. She graduated high school, is going to college for fashion design, and now interns with my company, ASHARD RICHLEY. Check out the show: http://www.mtv.com/videos/made-season-11-ep-48-prom-queen/1666875/playlist.jhtml#series=2211&seriesId=9883&channelId=1
- Another fun fact is that I was on the Food Network’s show Food Attack. I got food poisoning a while back and it was a horrible experience. My friend knew about it and works for a production company. When they were shooting the pilot she asked if I would tell my horrific story. I did and the network loved my story and ended up putting it on the first episode! So random! http://www.foodnetwork.com/food-network-specials-food-attack-the-girl-the-geek-and-the-golfer/index.html
__________________________________________________________________________________________
And because we love Ashard and Ashard Loves A-Listers - She's giving us 15% off our purchase at AshardRichley.com Just enter AList when you check-out and Happy Shopping.
Congratulations, You Just Made...The A-List.
