Fashion designer and accidental activist, Ashlyn So, is wise beyond her years when it comes to fashion. Once again she wowed New York’s most fashionable with her unparalleled ability to transcend a lifetime of ancestral stigma into a collection of stunning symbolic garments and gowns against the backdrop of a live cellist. The audience were submerged into the full visual, audio and emotional experience of a collection filled with a deeper meaning, creating a fantastically memorable show.
Considered one of the youngest fashion designers to ever shown at NYFW, Ashlyn’s latest show, Unseen, gives a glimpse into the young designer’s personal mental health healing journey. The collection is more than just gorgeous organzas and chrome reflective fabric in fantastical silhouettes, it represents So’s battle against feeling unheard and unseen while carrying the weight of past traumas.
“Let’s create a world where no one feels invisible… I want to encourage everyone to break the silence on mental health stigma within the Asian community. Many of us go unnoticed and unheard, but together, we can change that narrative.”
– Ashlyn So
The fashion show exuded an air of elegance as it began with an array of ethereal, sheer looks, giving the illusion of disappearance into the surrounding. To So, this represented the overwhelming feeling of being lost and isolated. As the show progressed, the garments grew stronger, bolder, and more resilient just as the designer had to develop strength within to rise above her darkness.
Each piece exuded a youthful and fresh feel as what would be considered formal pieces are paired with sneakers. A stunning, giant puffer vest finale piece symbolizes a phoenix rising above the ashes of her former self permeated an “anything is possible” feeling through the emotional crowd.
Ashlyn So
Ashlyn So is also an agent of change, asking the fashion world to join her on the journey. Fashion unites individuals in driving positive societal change that transcends mere aesthetics, serving as a dynamic catalyst for essential conversations. The young designer is dedicated to amplifying voices often marginalized, supporting small businesses, fostering representation, and creating a collective tapestry of visibility and empowerment.
The brand believes that fashion is a universal tool for transformation, empowering everyone to effect change by wearing their values proudly and boldly.
Visit her website for more information.
