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Turning Dreams into Design: The ASHYA Story with Ashley Cimone and Moya Annece
Manage episode 379360227 series 3510686
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Ever dreamt of launching your own fashion brand? Today, we're sitting down with two ambitious handbag designers, Moya and Ashley, who turned that dream into reality with their brand, Ashya. This episode is an intimate exploration of their journey from classmates at Fashion Institute of Technology to successful entrepreneurs, navigating the hurdles of transitioning from corporate America to running their own business.
Moia, originating from Jamaica, and Ashley, hailing from Milwaukee, found common ground in their passion for design and fashion. From a successful class project at FIT, the seeds of Ashya were sown and the duo embarked on their entrepreneurial journey. However, it wasn't all glitz and glamour; they hustled, juggling day jobs to keep their brand afloat. They share fascinating insights into managing relationships with manufacturers and customers, and how their experiences with career shifts and layoffs shaped their trajectory.
Just when you thought their journey couldn't get more intriguing, the dynamic duo reveals their collaboration with fashion titan, Michael Kors. Imagine the heart-racing experience of designing a holiday collection that marries their unique style with the Michael Kors legacy. As if steering a successful handbag brand wasn't exciting enough, they've got their eyes on the travel space, hinting at a weekender bag and luggage line that's in the pipeline. So buckle up, and come along on this remarkable journey of creativity, resilience, and entrepreneurial spirit.
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Chapters
1. Handbag Designers' Journey and Success (00:00:00)
2. Creative Collaboration and Career Paths (00:10:16)
3. Starting Handbag Brand (00:15:44)
4. From Self-Taught Designers to Successful Entrepreneurs (00:29:50)
5. Designing a Travel Lifestyle Brand (00:43:28)
58 episodes
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