Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Ball.
Hi Ashley, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Hi! My name is Ashley Ball , I am a Personal Stylist and Creative Director. I was introduced to fashion design by my teacher Mrs. Beverly Lassiter in high school and from that moment I fell in love, I started designing, sewing and personal styling my own outfits and gowns, my senior year in high school I won 2nd place in a competition at the Art Institute of Manhattan along with a scholarship to attend the school and out of fear of change I didn’t go. Over the years I went through numerous careers and none of them felt like fashion, I have regretted that since 2010 so for my 30th Birthday, I told myself I would show the world my hidden talents, I started a business personal styling and creative directing photoshoots and now I feel I have found my purpose in life.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Absolutely not! Starting out I was very naive and thought bigger names were being nice and welcoming and I was used as an ambassador to style a brands items with no exposure or anything in return as discussed, so my word of advice to creatives … Time waits for no one so don’t wait for opportunity or exposure , YOU go create it! And that’s what I did , as far as photoshoots I had to learn to be very patient and kind to myself. I’ve had people drop out last minute, so I have to last-minute scramble to find replacements or even people not supporting me or wanting to be in the photoshoots simply because I don’t have a big name yet and that’s something you just have to push forward with as an entrepreneur, everyone isn’t going to see your vision, you just keep your tunnel vision and focus on the end game, luckily there are people that believe in my dream that have supported me along the way so to all the ladies that I have worked with as far as photoshoots or personal styling, I appreciate you and love you deeply
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I specialize in creating looks for my clients that make them feel confident and sexy, I’m big on self-confidence. Photoshoots have taken over my life so I would say that’s mainly what I’m focused on now I love putting them together because it really shows all my talents , I am the woman behind the vision or theme of the photoshoot while incorporating styling as well. I’m known for my good eye for detail, I’m most proud of really going all in with this career, you’ll hear people talk about their dreams or what they want to do all day, I’m a person to talk and then execute it. I think what sets me apart I just do my own thing and whatever I think looks good I go with it, I don’t follow trends or ask for opinions I do what I feel is best but that all starts with being confident in yourself.
How do you think about happiness?
Happiness is something that you have to find within , for example Motherhood makes me so happy! Anytime I talk about it I get the biggest smile, being a mother changed how I look at everything in life especially being happy , My son is my biggest inspiration because I never want him to come to me and say he wishes he would’ve done something, I want him to always know nothing is impossible if you have a thought to start something go for it. Setting positive examples for him just makes me want to keep going 10 times harder.
Contact Info:
Image Credits:
Kyle Clayton Asia Flowers Markida Jones Shennise Woody Shumake Maya Johnson Veronica Berrett Savoy Epps
