Ashley Victoria is known around the country as a Publicist and Writer with center focus being fashion and the arts. She frequently participates as a producer and PR manager for large-scale events like New York Fashion Week and Miami Swim Week. Though she's humble, many might not know of her label, Voglia Swimwear and the incredible work she does. Recently, Voglia Swimwear was featured in W Magazine and in London Fashion Week.
Prior to the launch of Voglia in 2020, Ashley was also an internationally published model, Marketing Director, and production company owner. To call her a Serial Entrepreneur doesn’t do her justice.
“I didn't want to be just another swimwear brand, again, I needed to be of service, serve a purpose,” Ashley says. Voglia collections are designed with purpose and with eco and sustainability in mind. The most recent collection “Oh, honey” benefits local beekeepers with proceeds.
Smith is passionate about causes like Sustainability, Ocean Clean Ups, Marine Conservation, and protecting our Coral Reefs, as well as supporting women-owned businesses and animal rights. Let's go Behind the Seams.
Where did you find inspiration for the most recent collection?
As with all of Voglia's collections, they are designed with purpose. In this case, our latest is "Oh, Honey" - honoring our honeybees. They're responsible for producing 1/3 of our fruits & vegetables and produce more than 1/2 of the world's fibers, raw materials, and oils. Proceeds from the purchase of this collection benefits local beekeepers and organizations.
Tell us about your journey in becoming a designer, when did you first begin?
This is quite a story; for over 10 years, I was producing fashion shows for NYFW and Miami Swim Week and while that paid the bills, I was getting burnt out and not feeling as if I was serving a purpose and kept asking my Spirit Guides for a "way out" some sort of transition, a pivot. And she answered. In 2017, I was going through a bad breakup with my then boyfriend and we lived together, so you can only imagine that stress alone - so I took a day trip to NYC (of course) to space out, to clear my head, cry, and take a breather. That night, I literally had a dream with models walking the NYFW catwalk wearing NASA inspired swimwear, with smoke exhaust coming from the sides of the runway, the smell of coconut oil lingering in the air, and Nicki Minaj's "Starships" playing in the background. It was a crystal clear vision and when I woke up, I knew I had to bring it to life. That took five years. I didn't want to be just another swimwear brand, again, I needed to be of service, serve a purpose. So I started researching everything from swimwear, trends, wholesale, retail, and importantly sustainable, eco-friendly manufacturing. I finally launched the Spaced Out collection in 2020 (yes during the pandemic) at Miami Swim Week.
How long have you been designing and where is the brand based out of?
I refrain from calling myself a designer, I am more of a Creative Visionary. I never in my 40 years ever woke up and said "I am going to be a designer" but I've always been an artist. When I was younger, my grandmother told me that I should consider taking a career in the Arts, never knew it would be this. I created Voglia in 2017 in Charlotte, NC. However, I am now based in Garner, NC.
What do you love about working in fashion, what needs changed in the industry?
I love art. The storytelling. The creativity. I am blown away about the incredible amount of talent we have all around us and how one chooses to share, explore their own creativity, their visions and bring them to life on the runway. I also have a huge respect for designers who pay crucial attention to the finest, smallest details in their stitching, sewing patterns, and overall craftsmanship. It's a discipline for sure.
However on an industrial scale, our consumerism - fast fashion needs to stop, seriously. Every year more than 70 TONS of clothes are discarded into our landfills / oceans. More conversation and education around sustainability is needed - showing ways on how we can still have NICE and even LUXURY things without buying the NEWEST off the assembly line - there's much resources and knowledge now that we can start producing clothes more sustainably. Also, sustainability is NOT just about the product - it's a 360 ecosystem within itself meaning, how are you shipping, are you using earth friendly shipping or one-time use plastics and styrofoam? Are your employees being treated fairly and importantly being paid a LIVABLE wage? How is the work environment? All those things need to be taken into consideration.
What continues to keep you inspired?
Voglia itself, really. My swimwear brand has provided me an outlet to bring everything I love all together. I get to use my vision, my art to bring pieces to life. I get to travel for photo shoots, shows. But importantly, it's serving as a portal for me to speak about causes and issues that are important to me. Sustainability, Ocean Clean Ups, Marine Conservation, protecting our Coral Reefs, and like said before, educating and showing consumers ways to live healthier, better, more sustainable lifestye.
What is next for the future?
We're launching our next collection in collaboration with another female-owned small business next May that'll debut at Miami Swim Week - that collection will also be in select stores and at Refinery Hotel in NYC June - August 2025.
Instagram: @vogliaswimwear
Website: www.vogliaswim.com
Comments