Meet Ash Nichole of Caveman in Buckhead

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ash Nichole.

Ash, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I am a menswear designer. The idea to do menswear birthed my senior year in high school. I actually wanted to start off making underwear for men. I wasn’t completely sure of how serious I was about the idea and I definitely was not sure on how to resource my ideas. So, it wasn’t until junior year of college I started to actually find resources and I started to create my own menswear. I started out making lapel flowers, bow ties, ties, handkerchiefs for the guys around campus. It was not until I won second place, with my two-toned denim men vest, in a small design competition, that I realize, I can actually do THIS. It was at that moment, I started making actual clothing versus just accessories.

Before menswear, I pursued singing. I wanted to be the next Beyoncé. I would perform with a group of girls in my second-grade class and even up until fourth grade. Choir was something I looked forward to during high school. This dream stuck with me for a long time. In fact, it pushed me into menswear. I would sketch up many performance costumes that I would wear once I made it big in entertainment. Unfortunately, stage fright really changed my mind about performing. But what ultimately ended up inspiring me was my big brother. His unique style inspired me to look into menswear.

Today, I am developing a brand that I have called CAVEMAN. I came up with this name in high school and I remember meeting with my professor about having doubts about this name, later in college. Never will I forget her response- “That’s it!” I have stuck with the name ever since. Currently, I am working on pushing my brand as far out there as I possibly can through weekly projects, collaborations, and traveling.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not been a smooth road whatsoever. Trusting my creations, developing my own resources, and maintaining consistency, have been struggles of mine.

I had to learn how to just create and not worry about someone’s interpretation. My lack of confidence in my designs really held me back because I wanted to be sure everyone will love my work. Although I would receive great feedback, nothing I did was good enough… in my eyes.

My biggest frustration was not being able to truly create visions that were in my head. Having big ideas and little resources was a damper for me. However, I have learned that is a part of the journey. You have to use what you got now so that you can eventually get to what you need. It is all a process. In the words of designer Hilton Turner, “..Once you fully commit to something, the resources will appear.”

And all of the previously mentioned struggles, lead to the inconsistency.

To whoever is reading this, do not create your own struggles. Do not become your own enemy. The world is full of these things. Build your confidence in knowing that you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. Philippians 4:13.

Please tell us about Caveman.
The name CAVEMAN is inspired by masculinity, robustness, toughness, and strength. These are also attributes of men that any woman adores. My designs are aimed to enhance the confidence of men, specifically, the black male. I believe there is a target on black men that is intended to weaken and destroy. Through my brand, I want to strengthen and restore. I often say I design for Kings.

I design menswear and menswear only and I specialize in ready to wear. My designs are also exclusive.

As a company, I am most proud of the growth. The only way to see growth is to see it through. You have to continue even when you do not see immediate results. From making lapel flowers to making lapels on blazers, I have grown as a designer. From connecting to campus fraternities to connecting to fashion industry people in North Carolina, my brand is slowly gaining eyes.

All credit goes to God!

Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
My favorite memory from childhood is the time I made a denim purse with just a needle and thread. I worked so hard on it but my mom would not let me carry it around. She felt that it would collapse while we were in public. I put a 5lb weight in this purse to prove to my mom that it was stable. She still didn’t let me carry it to too many places hahaha.

Contact Info:

• Email: caveman.byan@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cav__man/

Image Credit:
Lamar Jones, Ash Nichole

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