Chicago Fashion Designer, Ashley Zygmunt of ZAMRIE
By A. Finney
Emerging talent and creative force, Ashley Zygmunt of the ZAMRIE brand, is destined to become one to watch in the fashion industry. Her blouses and tops can be worn over skirts or pants. They are feminine, very stylish, and luxuriously made. Her tailored blouses have been compared to couture, because she pays close attention to the details. Ashley says she designs her blouses and tops to satisfy the diverse needs of every woman. She uses rich colors, lighter weight fabrics such as silks, cottons and polyester blends.
For Ashley, it’s always been about the clothes, patterns and colors. While playing soccer in school, she remembers being concerned more about the colors for the team, than its success. It was at this point, that Ashley considered making a career out of fashion design. She attended the School of the Art Institute in Chicago, and studied apparel design at Purdue University, where she also studied business and marketing. After studying abroad in Florence, Italy and Hong Kong, Ashley returned to the States and interned with high-end designer, Zac Posen, in New York City, partly because she knew that would expose her to the rigors of the fashion industry.
In 2009, Ashley was welcomed into the Chicago Fashion Incubator by Lara Miller, Executive Director. That is where she developed ZAMRIE. The name ZAMRIE comes from letters taken from her middle name, Marie, and last name, Zygmunt.
Ashley attended Zac Posen’s Spring 2008 show at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in Bryant Park in New York. She has also participated in Macy’s show during Fashion Focus 2009, and as a Designer-In-Residence at CFI.
As an emerging designer, Ashley hopes the fashion industry in Chicago remains as welcoming as it has been, and hopes young designers see Chicago as a city full of opportunity. She urges new designers to take advantage of the Incubator programs.
Ashley was the 2009 DIR winner at the Chicago Fashion Incubator.
Her advice to aspiring designers is to first have confidence in their work, be willing to sweep floors, handle criticism, stay awake for 24 hours straight, and above all have creativity.
Ashley says fashion is like your favorite pair of jeans, and should make you feel comfortable, sexy and confident.
She is tech savy and uses social media Facebook and Twitter. Log on to Facebook and become a fan at www.facebook.com/pages/Zamrie, and follow her on Twitter: .
Look for her at this year’s Fashion Focus 2010, where she will be participating in Mario Tricoci’s show.
The ZAMRIE line can be purchased at Local Lookbook, 1211 W Webster Ave,
Chicago, IL 60614. Soon, the line will be in Perchance, 3512 N. Southport. Her line ranges in price from $78 to $220. Ashley is thinking ahead and envisions her line becoming more accessible to customers, when her line will eventually be in Bloomingdale’s or Nordstrom. She will eventually sell both online and in retail stores. In the future, she will grow her label to include jewelry and bottoms.
About the Author
|
|
Womens Awake Couture Green Studded Cotton Dress Sz M $9.99 |
|
|
Awake couture Tank Top Size L NWT $49.99 |
|
|
Awake Couture Gray Studded Dress size S $9.99 |
|
|
Awake Couture Mesh and Sequin Coverlet NWOT $18.00 |
|
|
Womans/Jrs Awake Couture Lime Green PEACE–T Shirt Sz Medium COOL!!!!! $13.79 |
|
|
New Awake Couture Black Multi Beaded Empire Chiffon Tunic Shirt XLarge $88 $37.99 |
|
|
New Awake Couture Purple Black Beaded Tie Waist Chiffon Tunic Shirt Medium $98 $39.99 |
|
|
New Awake Couture Purple Black Beaded Tie Waist Chiffon Tunic Shirt Large $98 $39.99 |
|
|
New Awake Couture Purple Black Beaded Tie Waist Chiffon Tunic Shirt Small $98 $39.99 |
|
|
NWT AWAKE COUTURE LOS ANGELES JEWELED T-SHIRT SIZE LARGE $17.99 |
|
|
New Blue AWAKE Couture Beaded Sequin Wrap Shrug Top Sz S $89 $29.99 |
|
|
Ladies Awake Couture Shirt, With Rhinestones, Size Medium, CUTE!!! $16.99 |
|
|
new $50 AWAKE COUTURE black lace beaded knit DRESS BLOUSE top shirt M #G $29.99 |
|
|
Juniors Awake Couture Embellished Peace Tie Die Shirt Top S $17.99 |
|
|
Awake Couture NEW Pullover Shirt Black BHFO Sale Misses L $31.20 |
|
|
Awake Couture Stud jeweled t-shirt Size L NWOT $29.25 |
|
|
Awake Couture NEW Gray Stretch Blouse Embellished Top XL $31.20 |
|
|
Discount $98 New Awake Couture Sequin Embellished long Tank Top Shirt M $56.99 |
|
|
Dressy Black L Women’s Knit Top by AWAKE COUTURE NWT Blue with Black Lace Beads $17.99 |
|
|
NWT Awake Couture Womens 3/4 Black Semi Sheer Sleeve Beaded Lace Flowers Top L $24.99 |
|
|
Awake Couture Hot Pink Vintage Wash Shirt Size L $29.00 |
|
|
Awake Couture NEW Printed BHFO Blouse Embellished Top M $39.20 |
|
|
*NWT* Awake Couture Ombre Crocheted Open Front Chiffon Sleeveless Vest Top Sz L $39.95 |
|
|
Awake Couture sequined tunic top NEW $89 S Small $36.99 |
|
|
AWAKE COUTURE WOMENS SPECIALTY LONGSLEEVE LIGHTWEIGHT DESIGNER TOP – SIZE XS $18.50 |
|
|
Awake Couture NEW Womens Blue Tee T Shirt Top Sz XL NWT $24.88 |
|
|
Awake Couture NEW Womens Blue Tee T Shirt Top Sz L NWT $24.88 |
|
|
Awake Couture NEW Light Beige Sleeveless Dress Sz S NWT $30.70 |
|
|
NWT Awake Couture Sleeveless Black Lace Short Sleeve Top L $18.99 |
|
|
AWAKE COUTURE Love Your Mom T-Shirt & Tote Bag Sz M NWT $16.80 |
|
|
Awake Couture Vintage Wash Rosette Scoopneck Short Sleeve Top Tunic XL NWT $29.99 |
|
|
AWAKE COUTURE WOMENS SPECIALTY LONGSLEEVE LIGHTWEIGHT DESIGNER TOP – SIZE XS $18.50 |
|
|
New AWAKE COUTURE Vintage Red Lace Tank Top Shirt Med M $32.00 |
|
|
AWAKE COUTURE EMBELLISHED PEACE LOGO SHIRT TANK TOP TIE DYE SPANDEX SZ L NEW $23.00 |
|
|
Awake Couture NEW Knit Top Printed Striped Embellished Misses Shirt M $31.20 |
|
|
AWAKE COUTURE LONGSLEEVE HOODED SHIRT MISSES SIZE M; GUC $29.99 |
|
|
Awake Couture Multi Color Print Top Size L – Now 50% off at $48.00 $48.00 |
|
|
Awake Couture Lavender/pink Tank size L $13.59 |
|
|
Designer AWAKE COUTURE Organic White Shirt Hippie Rock $19.99 |
|
|
AWAKE COUTURE Hippie Earth Day Organic Blue Shirt Rock $18.99 |
|
|
Awake Couture Vintage Wash Lace V-neck Tunic L NWT $29.99 |
|
|
Awake Couture Vintage Wash Studded V-neck Tunic NWT $29.99 |
