Born and raised in the Chicago-land area, Ashley pursued her interest in fashion at Purdue University in the Apparel Design and Technology program. After spending a summer studying fashion in Florence, Ashley then went on to become the first student in her program to study abroad at Hong Kong’s Polytechnic University. Next on her list of priorities was an internship with one of New York’s most prominent fashion designers, Zac Posen. After graduating in May 2008, Ashley continued to work in high fashion with Peter Som, gaining experience not only in design and production, but also at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week for two consecutive years. Soon after, she decided to take her talents to the corporate world of design and freelanced for Li and Fung USA in the Oxford collections division of the company. There, Ashley helped with Norma Kamali for Wal-Mart, Just My Size (a plus-sized label), and White Stag Fast Fashion (a high-style mass marketed label).
As one of six chosen designers of the Chicago Fashion Incubator 2009, a promising program sponsored by Macy’s and the City of Chicago, Ashley has had the opportunity to start her own label, Zamrie. Offering beautifully tailored and timeless suits and dresses, Ashley infuses alluring details into each garment so that practicality and high style can directly coexist. This integration produces versatile clothing that allows the Zamrie woman to exude confidence in her progressive wardrobe.
