Elle Ashworth by Julia Pilch
How did you become interested in fashion?
I was interested in fashion starting at a very young age. I used to read fashion blogs before they really became big, and I would aspire to be a blogger just like these people I was reading. I was reading Tavi Gevinson’s blog Style Rookie, Ami Song’s blog Song of Style and Leandra Medine’s blog The Man Repeller, along with other smaller bloggers. It has been really interesting to see how those have grown and changed. Both Style Rookie and Man Repeller morphed into websites that a whole staff of people now write for. Aside from that I have always just loved clothing. But I think bloggers really got me interested because I love to write as well so that combination of two of my favorite things: writing and dressing really appealed to me.
How would you describe your style?
My style changes every day and depends on my mood. But I always want to look different and unique, I want to make people stop and do a double take and really think about what I’m wearing. My style really ranges from classical preppy to punk/grunge based on what is inspiring me at the moment and what my mood is.
Name a fashion icon you look to and why?
There are so many fashion icons in this world. I really love Leandra Medine because of how unique and adventurous her style is. I love Tavi Gevinson for the same reason but also because we are the same age, so she inspires me because of all of the things that she has achieved already in her life. She was one of the first bloggers to sit front row at New York Fashion Week. It caused so much controversy but she didn’t care, she even wore a massive bow in her hair that blocked the views of the people behind her, I love that story. I aspire to live as confidently and stylishly as her.
Where do you love to shop?
I have been shopping at Madewell for years now, I love all of their clothing. Since I work at the Gap I am always finding the best sales, so I have a lot of Gap clothing too. I have the odd Zara piece and some luxury fashion items that are classics I can pair with a lot. I also love to go thrifting, there’s an awesome vintage warehouse called Bulk Vintage in Northeast Philly that I recently found a bunch of cool pieces. I don’t strictly shop anywhere though, if I see something that I like, and can afford it (!!), then I’ll buy it. People put too much pressure on clothing being branded and labeled, but it’s all about how you wear a piece.
What made you want to go into the field of fashion?
Fashion has been the one consistent interest that I have had throughout my life. That and writing I suppose. So when I was thinking about what I wanted to do with the rest of my life I knew it would be involved in fashion. I won best dressed in high school and took that very seriously. Like if 350+ of my peers think I can dress myself the best then I should probably be in the fashion field. And I wasn’t popular in my school so I considered it a real honor. Regardless of if they voted for me I knew I was going to pursue a career in fashion, it is the only thing that I would feel truly happy doing, it is the only thing that really interests me and gets me excited. I feel happy whenever I’m involved in something related to fashion, even if that’s just a conversation about what I’m wearing.
What do you want to do with your degree?
I originally wanted to combine my love of writing with my love of fashion. But I think I will just be doing that on the side. I had a Planning & Allocations Internship over the summer that I really loved but I would enjoy being a Buyer as well to start off my career. Then I just want to build my network and see what opportunities arise, I don’t want to box myself into one job, I’m open to doing whatever opportunities come my way in the industry, if I have the skills to do it. Eventually though, I would like to open a vintage clothing boutique somewhere with my partner. We are both very passionate about that.
Does your style affect the businesses you want to work for?
I don’t think your style HAS to affect the businesses that you want to work for, but I think it makes it easier for you to do your job if you appreciate and understand the brand, it makes it easier to stand behind a company when you like and appreciate everything that they are about. It is so much easier to sell something you love than to try and sell something you hate.
Do you believe there is a difference between fashion and style?
Yes, a huge difference. Fashion is the clothes that you buy, style is how you put those clothes together. You can buy fashion but you can’t buy style, and not everyone has style.
Check Elle out on Instagram @elle_likethe_letter