Since launching her label, Ashlyn, in 2020, Ashlynn Park has consistently championed the peplum as a signature design element. Her diverse creations, encompassing blouses, jackets, and form-fitting knits, all feature a distinctive flare at the waist, ranging from graceful flourishes to flowing undulations. This commitment to rounded forms extends throughout her collections, evident in trousers with subtly voluminous legs and sleeves that gently curve around the arms. This season marks a nuanced progression, with proportions subtly adjusted, and the evolution of her signature hip padding into more defined, structured shapes that often extend around the back. This iterative approach signifies a continuous refinement rather than a radical departure, establishing a brand identity that is immediately recognizable without the need for prominent logos or fleeting trends.
This deliberate focus on a particular silhouette is a cornerstone of Park's design philosophy, a principle she honed during her formative years as a pattern maker for Yohji Yamamoto in Japan. There, the design process prioritized gradual enhancements over complete reinvention. Park recalls the extensive pattern archives at Yohji's offices, where core silhouettes served as the foundation for each collection's variations. She has since adopted this methodology, meticulously refining essential patterns, such as trousers and coats, with subtle adjustments each season, affirming that innovation doesn't always necessitate starting from a blank slate. Park's journey from a pattern maker in Korea and Japan to a celebrated designer involved stints at Alexander Wang and working under Raf Simons at Calvin Klein. The eventual closure of Simons' tenure at Calvin Klein during the pandemic provided Park with a pivotal moment to launch her own brand. Without external investors, Ashlyn quickly garnered critical acclaim, with the Metropolitan Museum of Art acquiring pieces from her second collection, and Park herself becoming an LVMH Prize finalist in 2022 and a CFDA fashion fund finalist this year.
Park's designs honor the female physique, reflecting her own perspective as a woman creating for women. She emphasizes that proportion is paramount in her design process, aiming to enhance a woman's stature and lengthen her legs through careful adjustments, such as raising the waistline by an inch. These details, including the emergence of the peplum, arise organically from an innate understanding of women's clothing choices, layering habits, and desire for self-expression and protection. Rather than adopting direct-to-consumer models during the pandemic, Park strategically focused on wholesale, gaining insights into her clientele through specialized boutiques. Her customers, who collect her clothing akin to art, contribute to impressive sell-through rates, significantly exceeding industry averages. Park views her clothing as a commitment, a contract to deliver quality upon purchase, fostering trust and loyalty among her clientele without relying on substantial marketing budgets. Operating with a lean team, she embraces her role as a mentor, sharing the valuable skills and lessons gleaned from her unique career trajectory. For her Spring 2026 collection, Park draws inspiration from the Korean moon jar, its circular form symbolizing not only aesthetic beauty but also the intricate emotional journey of an immigrant designer. Having repeatedly navigated new languages and cultures, she recognizes clothing as a powerful form of communication and a tool for empowerment, imbuing her Spring 2026 collection with structured peplums and flowing balloon pants that embody strength and resilience.
Ashlynn Park's dedication to refined craftsmanship and a deeply personal design ethos exemplifies the transformative power of fashion. Her journey underscores the importance of authenticity and perseverance in building a brand that resonates with both artistic merit and profound human connection. Her commitment to empowering women through thoughtfully constructed garments serves as an inspiring testament to the enduring impact of vision and integrity in the creative world.