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Atmosphere Exhibition Coming soon!

Wednesday 25 August 2010

Coming Soon! Fremantle Fashion Collective puts on another exciting and edgy show for Perth Fashion Week 2010...

 

ASHE will be exhibiting alongside Megan Salmon, Love In Tokyo, Cocoon Textiles, TotoMoto and Leah Tarlo - and many other amazing Fremantle Designers...don't miss this free event!

Click on the image to enlarge the icon for all the details... 

Kelsey Ashe

 

Crafting fun! - Japanese masking tape

Thursday 19 August 2010

Printed Japanese masking tape is addictive - put it everywhere and use it for everything...In B&M Store (Inside Ashe) now you can get all sorts of different crafty tapes including patterned Japanese masking tape - come and check it out and see the other great products in the Ashe and B&M Stores.

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

Crafting - Macrame is back!

Monday 16 August 2010

 My mum used to make the most amazing Macrame pieces I remember when I was a child she would be standing in front of her creations for hours knotting and weaving - and to my regret - these pieces are now lost. Somehow they lost their value and were thrown out or given away - what I would give to have them in my collection now!
Macrame is believed to have originated with 13th-century Arab weavers. These artisans knotted the excess thread and yarn along the edges of hand-loomed fabrics into decorative fringes on bath towels, shawls, and veils. From here it spread through Europe and was extremely popular in Victorian times.
Macrame jewelry, clothing and wall hangings became popular again in the early 1970's only to quickly drop out of fashion...it's back again...but for how long???

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

The return of Craft!

Thursday 12 August 2010

Craft! No longer a daggy topic! Young people all over the world are jumping into this fun and fabulous practice! From Knitting to crochet, to felting and macrame...all that was old-fashioned is new again as contemporary designers embrace bespoke beauty and add their own technological twists...From mass produced designer tables that look like crochet, to hand rendered pottery vases, hand stitched felt toys and appliquéd quilts...These are just some of the items that are currently completely in vogue in Interior design circles...such an interesting development for me to see...

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

"Atmosphere" Exhibition for Ashe Coming soon...

Monday 9 August 2010

Ashe is pleased to be part of "Atmosphere" an exhibition coming up as part of Perth Fashion Festival. It will be held at the historic Victoria Hall in Fremantle on Saturday September 11th.

 Designers, including Love in Tokyo and Megan Salmon, will be displaying their creative interpretations of fashion / textiles and architecture in this beautifully airy setting.

 An elegant afternoon launch party will be accompanied by the sweet sounds of the Ambrosia Ensemble's Panforte Strings Trio and best of all - it's free to the public!

 See in store for more details or look out for more blogs and e-newsletters closer to the date.

 This Ashe image gives a glimpse of my spring ideas!

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

Will Bradley (1868 – 1962) cont...

Wednesday 4 August 2010

Bradley experimented with type faces, layouts, book designs, posters, decorative illustrations and advertising - way before a computers or photocopiers were around....I think that's what makes illustrators and graphic designers of the twentieth century so much more fascinating - the level of craftsmanship was extremely high quality and the execution always perfect despite the labourious hand work...love it!

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

Twentieth Century Artists - Will Bradley (1868 – 1962) Cont...

Saturday 31 July 2010

Very stylised, very Art Nouveau, very 1900, very wonderful...I often look to Will Bradley's work for inspiration on hand drawn designs that need that extra elegant element..

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

Twentieth Century Artists - Will Bradley (1868 – 1962)

Tuesday 27 July 2010

Will Bradley was amoung the first American Artists to join the ranks of well known European illustrators such as William Morris and Aubrey Beardsley during the Art Nouveau period. His advertisements at the turn of the century were both highly stylised and utilitarian and still influence illustrators and designers of today.

 

Shown here is an advert from 1897 for lithographic printing inks...

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

Paul Poiret (1879 - 1947)

Friday 23 July 2010

I am particularly drawn to Poiret for his interest in all things oriental in textiles, fashion and theatre...This evening coat by Poiret in black silk and colourful embroidery shows the extent Poiret went to create a visually and texturally sumptuous garment.

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

Paul Poiret (1879 - 1947) Cont....

Monday 19 July 2010

Detail of a Poiret evening coat in orange brocaded silk with oriental style motifs, lined with shot silk. Poiret travelled far and wide to find luxurious and exotic fabrics to work into his creations...

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

Twentieth Century Artists - Paul Poiret 1879 - 1947 Cont..

Thursday 15 July 2010

Poiret is also well known for his collaborations with fashion illustrators of his era such as Georges Barbier (shown here) and Georges Lepape and the famous painter and illustrator Raoul Dufy. The collaborations helped to profile Poirets creations in a time when the fashion illustrations were just as important in editorial as fashion photography. Barbier has captured here the exotic element of Poirets garments and I believe it to be a gorgeous piece of Art...Exquisite...

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

Twentieth Century Artists - Paul Poiret 1879 - 1947

Saturday 10 July 2010

Paul Poiret is a favourite designer of mine from a bygone era. He was one of the first real fashion designers alongside the likes of Coco Chanel...whose career spanned both the Belle Epoque and the "crazy years" of the 1920's. A master of couture, textiles, furnishings and even perfume...Poiret was a favourite of Parisian high society and the host of some of the most extravagant parties on record including one which could never be rivalled in the annals of Parisian social life: "The thousand and second night"..an oriental extravaganza akin to a theatrical production...it is still talked and written about to this day!

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

The Grammar of Ornament

Thursday 8 July 2010

This classic text by Owen Jones (1809-1874) first published in 1856 is practically essential reading for any textile designer! I am using it at the moment to help me with my MA theory (I'm doing my Masters theory unit at the moment) . Pattern design books these days are ubiquitous but this is the design classic which informed designers and architects such as Frank Lloyd Wright and William Morris. My copy cost me $3.00 on Amazon - Bargain!

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

Gut’s Dynamite Cabarets

Monday 5 July 2010

Gut's Dynamite Cabarets are a Japanese Fashion Label just starting to make themselves known internationally. They specialise in drawing prints for their garments - but also pay just as much attention to the cut of the garment and the way it makes the wearer feel. The range shown here shows a hint of their animal print designs which were strongly featured in their most recent collection. I love this evocative and fun image!

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

Megan Park Textiles

Thursday 1 July 2010

Shown here is a beautiful array of Megan Park cushions from Australian Vogue Magazine. Megan studied Fashion at RMIT and is best known for her luscious artisan style textiles which she embodies into both Fashion and Homewares. One of my favourites...you can see more about her at www.meganpark.co.uk

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

Natalie Chanin

Friday 25 June 2010

Natalie Chanin's fabrics are absolutely STUNNING. Using recycled fabric scraps and appliquéing new garments with off casts is her signature approach. Natalie literally transforms rags to riches by turning otherwise simple garments into Couture pieces. Her pieces were recently featured in "Textile Designers from the Cutting Edge" by Bradley Quinn and is well worth the look if you are interested in the latest and most interesting textile designers from around the world...

 

This is a detail from the hem of a Natalie Chanin Coat...Exquisite...

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

Amy Butler - Mid West Modern Style

Monday 21 June 2010

Amy Butler is probably one of today's most easily recognisable textile designers. Her style has even been given its own name "Mid-west modern". She designs not only textiles but home accessories, fashion products, sewing patterns and is the author of "InStitches" - 25 Simple and Stylish sewing projects"... Great for all those crafty people out there! You can see more of Amy's work at www.amybutlerdesign.com

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

Timourous Beasties

Wednesday 16 June 2010

Timourous Beasties is a textile/Wallpaper company i can get really excited about...Their textile designs are intriguingly detailed and often use 18th century textile genre's such as the traditional toile de jouy to depict modern life. Closer to art than textiles - this all-male Glaswegian design duo are a really exciting company to watch...

 

Click on the image to reveal the unexpected details...drug users...prostitutes and drunks...Surprise!

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

"Tahiti Lagoon" Ashe Print Collection

Saturday 12 June 2010

I'm currently working on putting all my "classic" and favourite textile designs from my own hand-drawn collection up on the Ashe website. This one will definitely make the cut; "Tahiti lagoon" from 2006.

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

Ashe Print Collection - "Deep Forest"

Tuesday 8 June 2010

Another Favourite Ashe Classic Print Design...From 2004!
"Deep Forest"

Kelsey Ashe

 

Pull-string Cardigan In Store Now!

Saturday 5 June 2010

Instore now...ThePull-string Cardigan...made from 100% Viscose...it's an old style we have re-vamped with new fabrics and prints - great for winter layering...it can be pulled up into a cute shrug or left open to wrap around the body. We have the cardign instore now in Turquoise, Stone, Red and Black...

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

Mumu Kimono - Instore Now

Wednesday 2 June 2010

Instore Now...The Mumu Kimono top - An Ashe favourite style...Suits all body shapes and stretches with your body...Available now in Grass Green, Cherry Red, Teal, Black and Grey...

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

"Arabesque" - An Ashe Favourite

Friday 28 May 2010

This is one of my own designs...Arabesque printed on Saffron coloured silk. It's been a favourite in my collection since it first was put on a screen in 2004! My customers still order it - it's paisley like appearance means it's a great traditional choice for ball gowns and wedding dresses. It is quite deservedly placed into the Ashe Classic Print collection (which will soon be shown in its entirety on the Ashe website)...

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

Ashe Screen print Studio notes... Continued

Tuesday 25 May 2010

There are just so many scraps of prints in my studio - This is "Lost City" on White Canvas from years and years ago - my 2005 collection I believe...There is no way I can throw these pieces away...I might turn it into a canvas tote bag...ho hum...

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

Screen printed Fabric in Ashe Studio

Monday 24 May 2010

This is me...Just playing around with the fabrics...fun fun fun....

Kelsey Ashe

 

Ashe Screen print Studio notes...

Saturday 22 May 2010

Hmmmn this fabric is rather delicious,so textural and graphic... I printed it probably two years ago now and it's just sitting in my studio needing a destination...."Franjipani" on Linen. Maybe a journal cover? Cushion? Apron Panel? Maybe it will just get pushed to the back of the cupboard until next time...

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

Screen printed "Panda" Fabric

Wednesday 19 May 2010

Why did I call this print "Panda" you ask? Well because I already have a print called "Bamboo" and Panda's eat Bamboo so that is my reasoning! This is black jersey freshly printed...heading for the sewing machines...

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

Indigo Obe Obsession

Friday 14 May 2010

This last year I have had a real obsession with Indigo. It's often not a colour that is popular to wear...Many associate the colour with navy uniforms....But in the context of a reversible obe with Vintge Kimono fabric on one side and Hawaiian Barkcloth on the other I think it looks fantastic. These Obe's have just been finished...they will be going into the store this week...I think I better make some more...something tells me they will be popular!

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

Jersey Hand printing

Tuesday 11 May 2010

This is my new "Autumn" print on Black jersey stretched out on my print table. After printing and pressing it will be cut up into panels for some long sleeve T-shirts. I made just two initially and they both sold straight away, so this time I'm making a bigger batch so to speak...but not too many - my customers love the exclusivity of their pieces after all!

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

Zen Linen Detail

Friday 7 May 2010

I couldn't help but paste up this exquisite close up of the texture of the Zen Linen with my "Winter Pine" print. You can click on the image to zoom in a little closer...

 

The garments with this fabric and print will be in store hopefully in about three weeks...

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

Hand Printed Ashe Fabrics for Autumn

Tuesday 4 May 2010

Oooooh i love putting all my new fabrics into piles and playing with the beautiful colours and textures...This is a glimpse of the new fabrics coming through the store now for Autumn Winter. The colours are muted and toasty, lots of texture in the fabric and of course the usual graphic style of my print design...These panels will be sewn into warm winter skirts....

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

MAY Specials at Ashe....25% of the Casablanca range...

Saturday 1 May 2010

For this month only we have our beautiful Casablanca range on special. Enjoy 25% off this most luxurious hand printed Ashe line. Styles include the Chateau dress pictured here, the Babydoll Gown, the La Amour Gown, Muscavado Ruffle dress, Paradise dress and the very popular Peacock tunic....

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

B & M Store Fragrances

Wednesday 28 April 2010

Courtesy of B&M Store within Ashe we have a selection of very interesting fragrances for you...With names such as "Russian Caravan", "Winter 1976" and "At the beach 1966" these perfumes are designed more to take you away to another place and time...I'm in love with the Russian Caravan scent...mmmmmn

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

Cath Kidston

Thursday 22 April 2010

If you love printed fabric and you love the hand made then you have probably heard of Cath Kidston. Cath is both a designer and author. Her book "In Print - an inspirational guide to using print in your home" shows off her simple vintage styling. Cath uses old often vintage fabrics and un-fussily applies them to all sorts of home based craft projects. As a designer she creates great tote bags and purses, aprons, tea towels etc - a true domestic goddess! Go to: www.cathkidston.co.uk

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

Oriental Window Display

Monday 19 April 2010

I found this picture in one of my coffee-table design books....The book is about Oriental style but I was particularly drawn to this image as it shows off the unique way in which many oriental style stores show off their produce - en masse - lots of pieces crammed together with repeating motifs in colour and shape....these celadon ceramics look amazing stacked together in the window of a Chinese store....love it love it!

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

Ashe Croquis Designs

Wednesday 14 April 2010

This is the latest croquis (textile sketch) I've been working on for my Ashe homewares range. The range is taking a while to complete as pregnancy has gotten in the way!
Hopefully the range of cushions, totes, purses etc will be in store and up on the website for Spring this year - I will keep you posted!

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

New Ashe Autumn Stock in store NOW!

Saturday 10 April 2010

Autumn fashion at Ashe is all about fresh bright colours and simple cuts. Our signature hand-printed fabrics make every piece unique as always. Our favourite styles for this Autumn are a kimono inspired dress the "Samurai" pictured here and the "Shanghai" dress which is a capped sleeve over dress. With best ever basics from "Lucy in the Sky" made from slinky soft jersey - you will feel stylish and warm this Autumn in beautiful Ashe pieces....

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

Yummy Silk Printing

Tuesday 6 April 2010

Hand screen printed textiles are the hallmark of Ashe. Although screen printing is extremely arduous, the results always keep me going back to do more. You really can't beat the look of hand printed silk - it's almost alchemical to watch a table full of plain silk suddenly become drenched in exquisite decadent ornamental designs that I've drawn myself. This piece of fabric I'm printing here will be transformed into dresses for autumn...hope you enjoy the picture....

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

Happy Easter and Happy Autumn to you!

Thursday 1 April 2010

Hello! Happy Easter! Have you been into the Ashe store lately?
We would love to show you all our new products, looks and styles so come on down!
New stock is arriving all the time for Autumn and the new B&M Store within Ashe has some great products you will love - design & craft books for all of you who love to make your own, rolls of 100% Wool felt for your own projects, great pillows, perfume, toys and much more.... See you soon! XXXX

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

Ashe Recycled Kimono Tops

Tuesday 30 March 2010

Just Arrived - Recycled Kimono Apron Tops at Ashe. These beautiful limited edition apron tops have just been finished and are seen here hanging in the Ashe studio. Using our recycled off cuts from vintage Kimonos and printed linens and silks - each Apron top is uniquely individual and as a result they always sell out fast...so be quick!

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

Custo Barcelona

Sunday 28 March 2010

Custo Barcelona is a designer based in Spain, pretty much world-renowned for their zany over the top print from head to toe look. Regularly showing at New York, London and Paris Fashion Weeks - this company is serious big business! I actually love their old school style from years ago more so than what they are doing now...but its always worth checking out their site if you want some print inspiration! Go to: www.custo-barcelono.com

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

Textile Design books – from B&M Store

Friday 26 March 2010

Available through B&M Store -a fantastic range of Textile and design magazines are now on sale within Ashe. These books are super handy as they come with a CD Rom of images ready for you to play with...

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

Ink & Spindle – from B&M Store

Friday 26 March 2010

Australian based company Ink & Spindle hand print all their products - so of course we love love love it. Available at Ashe through B&M Store - come and check out their cushions and craft kits soon!....

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

B&M Store - Now at Ashe!

Thursday 25 March 2010

B&M Store has just installed a magnificent display of products into the Ashe retail store at 49 High Street. Creating a "store within a store" Jess & Jayden are selling their recently launched "Bugs& Megs" label - all WA made 100% Wool felt handmade lifestyle products that are super stylish and functional. Also available are design magazines, textile books, toys, craft objects and well designed objects from all over the world. To see their entire range and to check out their blog go to: www.bandmfelt.com.au

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

Petals in Disarray Autumn

Saturday 20 March 2010

Local lass Megan has been busy preparing her Autumn and Winter collections for her label Petals in Disarray. Available at Ashe, we just love Megan's quirky detailing and attention to detail with her garments. Megan has had much success lately with her label - beginning to infiltrate the Eastern States market - picking up new clients in Melbourne and Adelaide. Come down to Ashe soon to see her new pieces!

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

Print in Design NOW – Floral

Wednesday 17 March 2010

Who doesn't have a floral motif in their wardrobe? Even the most hard core minimalists have probably got one lurking there somewhere...from tiny repeats, to large oversized splashes, to eastern influence, retro, vintage and everything in between. Florals are also now tied to the conservation/green movement and they tend soothe and uplift us - just like nature - so this trend is not going anywhere for a long time! Ashe designs are predominantly floral - with a graphic eastern twist of course!

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

Print in Design NOW – Vintage/retro

Tuesday 16 March 2010

Vintage no longer seems to mean that you found it in a recycling boutique and had to get your nan to take it in for you. Vintage and retro is a new genre in textile and fashion design and I love it! All those beautiful textile designs from the 50's and 60's and the dresses our grandmothers wore are being re-interpreted for today. Of course - we still love our op shop finds - so keep hunting girls!

 

This picture here is from a Burberry Prorsum range.

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

Print in Fashion NOW – Folkloric/fantasy

Friday 12 March 2010

You have been under a rock if you haven't noticed the folkloric trends in print over the last couple of years...Images from Fables- elk horns and owls and silhouetted whimsical fairytale creatures have been a massive trend....perhaps at the upper level of this craze - a good example would be Fashion Label Basso & Brooke's designs which are exclusively digital and finely detailed - often depicting fairytales. The label is an international success and a favourite amongst the new digital textile designers.

Check out their site at: www.bassoandbrooke.com 

Kelsey Ashe

 

Print in Fashion NOW – Abstract / Graphic

Tuesday 9 March 2010

Eley Kishimoto is possibly my favourite of the abstract textile designers. Even better - they have an international fashion label to show it off! The label uses a lot of all-over pattern - head to toe - and they are certainly not afraid of colour or crazed abstraction. Abstract and graphic prints are sometimes a bit harder on the eye - especially with the latest craze of kaleidoscopic prints and oversized geometric shapes...Not for the faint hearted - but its still a valid trend right now!

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

Print in Fashion NOW

Friday 5 March 2010

I'm so pleased to see that print continues to be a strong force in contemporary fashion trends....and most forecasters say it is here to stay for a while yet! With new technology driving designers to even more magnificent heights of design and with retro style designs consistently rotating back into fashion - the scope for interpretations of textile design do not seem spent. Big themes for print in fashion right now are Abstract/graphic, folkloric/fantasy, vintage/retro and of course the perennial influence of Nature...

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

Leon Bakst & The Ballet Russes

Tuesday 2 March 2010

Russian painter and costume designer Leon Bakst has a special place in the history of Fashion Illustration and Stage design. He is mostly known for the illustrations that accompanied his costume designs for The Ballet Russes (Russian Ballet company 1909 - 1929). I was lucky enough to see an exhibition of the Ballet Russes set, costume and poster designs at The Art Gallery of Western Australia way back in 1998 - it was my first year in Perth and the inspirational designs of Bakst spurred me on to chase a career in textiles....

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

Hydrangea design

Friday 26 February 2010

The lovely hydrangea - a favourite Japanese motif often used by the Samurai warriors as it is believed in Japanese culture that the flowers in bloom represented Glory and conveyed the notion that ambitious goals were in reach. Also beloved by the West - the flower is seen everywhere - in lots of Aussie backyards - including mine!
If you click on the image you can see the amazing stitch work in this Kimono panel.

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

Kimono Motifs

Tuesday 23 February 2010

Ashe print design is influenced almost primarily by textile traditions from the East."The East" is a broad term but what I mean are the areas of Middle East (Islamic) design, Indian, Japanese, Chinese and South East Asian Cultures - a large area to draw from! Japanese textile design often gives me clues to the placement of a print on a garment and the amount of books on Kimono I possess is almost ridiculous!This is a favourite - incorporating a wave, cloud and crane pattern. The black and white contrast is a staple colour combination that most designers will flirt with at some point!

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

Pure Soul Design

Saturday 20 February 2010

Pure Soul's designer Sylma Carrera designs beautiful dresses for comfort and style. Her resort range has being selling so well in Ashe over Summer as the fabrics are perfect for our Western Australian climate. Pictured here is the beautifully embroidered Soutage Dress with embroidery panels on the bodice. If you like what you see - come down to Ashe and check out this delicious label while stocks last!

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

Czech Folk Embroidery

Monday 15 February 2010

I'm impressed by the obsessive ornamentation of this embroidered Czech apron. The minute distinctions of the highly wrought ornament enables cultures to express where they came from or where their ancestors come from. Pieces such as this;- although typical of everyday wear of folk people in the twentieth century, is more likely now to be placed in a museum so that it can be best admired for the amount of effort and work put into it. In fact this piece is part of the Victoria and Albert Museum's collection. The embroidery and densely packed pattern must have taken a remarkable amount of time...You can click on the image to enlarge.... 

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

Tiki Art

Wednesday 10 February 2010

Why is it I'm so attracted to low brow tiki art? I love it so much - it can be so kitsch, but it also has a taboo, forbidden vibe to a lot of it. It conjures tropical nights and dense jungle foliage, an evocative other-wordly place of islands, gods, sea voyages and tattooed ladies...I've travelled a lot in Polynesia - my father lived in New Zealand for 20 years and I was lucky enough to visit a lot of the hazy islands of Tahiti and Moorea and check out this place of mystery for myself. I had dreamt of a Polynesian island paradise my entire life after reading Ruth Park's "My sister Sif" as a child. It's still one of my favourite books - something to re-read on the beach at the start of every summer!

 

Mark Ryden's "Swap meet man"

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

Japanese Traditional Motifs

Saturday 6 February 2010

Exquisite, precise, clever, colourful, asymmetrical and delightful - the traditional patterns of Japanese Art. In over two thousand years of history the cherry blossom motif has stretched over every medium in Japanese Art - from ceramics, painting, textiles, lacquer ware, metal work and personal ornaments. The Cherry Blossom has a special significance in Japanese culture and aesthetics as a symbol of sakura- living in harmony with nature.

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

Florence Broadhurst Design

Wednesday 3 February 2010

Ahhh Florence - a woman after my own heart...This is one of Florence's more well known wall paper designs "Japanese Floral". Of course these days you will see Florence's designs covering everything from T-shirts to bags to dresses and everything else in between. Florence Broadhurst died in 1977 (same year I was born - possibly I'm her re-incarnation..) and now her designs are sold through Signature Prints in Sydney. To see more - go to their website www.signatureprints.com.au

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

More gorgeous girls...

Tuesday 26 January 2010

And this is Caroline in the Ashe store...

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

Gorgeous girls in the Ashe store...

Monday 25 January 2010

Ladies Ladies - ooohhh just beautiful - I love seeing my dresses come to life - especially when worn by such gorgeous models as these - Caroline and Sheldean are from Scene Modelling Agency in Perth and were just trying on a few little pieces in the Ashe store...delightful! This is Sheldean....

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

“Find Yourself in Fashion in Fremantle” Launch

Thursday 21 January 2010

This image was taken of Rosemary wearing an Ashe dress for the launch of "Find yourself in Fashion in Fremantle" Campaign - which was launched by the then Mayor of Fremantle Peter Tagliferi (Pictured). Quite an honour for Ashe to be asked to dress this model for such a great marketing campaign for The City of Fremantle! Rosemary has been a very popular Perth model lately - she was nominated for best Photographic Model 2009 during Perth Fashion Festivals WA Fashion Awards.

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

Perth Model Rosemary

Tuesday 19 January 2010

Perth Model Rosemary Smith(Viviens) has been making it into some great shoots lately - I've been seeing her pop up all over the place - this image is from the latest issue of Shop till You drop - I love the tropical setting and Rosemary looks as sultry and seductive as ever! Congratulations gorgeous girl...

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

Pip Willy Textiles

Friday 15 January 2010

The newest Textile label to hit Australian stores...Pip Willy, designed by Phillippa Wilkinson has just been launched. Beautiful natural fabrics and Australian inspired hand drawn graphic imagery create a soft, neutral feel...I'm sure we will be hearing more about this designer!

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

Vivienne Westwood

Wednesday 13 January 2010

Vivienne Westwood has teamed up with Hand printed Wall paper company Cole & Son to release her own style of wallpaper. Cole & Son have been around since 1875 hand printing wallpaper in the UK, and teaming up with this Style iconoclast is sure to give them some newfound clout! I LOVE this campaign image...

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

Shephard Fairey - Graphic Artist

Monday 11 January 2010

This summer holidays I've been really inspired by American artist Shephard Fairey's work and ended up buying his book so that I could pour over his amazing bold iconic images again and again. He was initially a street graffiti artist...but he created such a following that he is now a hugely sought after collectible artist. His works are usually political often in a propaganda poster format, but it is the build up of interesting layers of graphic prints that I find most interesting. He collages, pastes, screen prints, paints and scrapes and rips away at his murals and paintings until he has worked up layers and layers of symbols, text and images...
You can buy reproductions of his prints at OUTRE in Melbourne or go to his website at www.obeygiant.com to see more

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

ASHE January SALE on NOW!

Thursday 7 January 2010

We have 20% to 50% off all Ashe garments and homewares - including our exquisite limited edition and one-off silk gowns and dresses. Don't miss out on this great opportunity to get yourself a very beautiful piece of Ashe clothing at a greatly reduced price....
We must make way for new Winter pieces!

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

Repeat Printing

Wednesday 6 January 2010

Bolts and bolts of printed fabric and garments in the ASHE store....ever wondered where it all came from? We hand print everything...by placement printing or repeat printing - shown here in my old studio - I'm printing a butterfly repeat print. Everything is hand drawn, exposed onto silk screens of various sizes and meticulously printed with environmentally friendly inks and heat pressed for durability...It is certainly time consuming - but worth it for the beautiful result....

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

Self confessed Work-a-holic

Wednesday 6 January 2010

Summer gives you a chance to unwind doesn't it? Except I can never switch off...as soon as I get a chance to rest...I'm schemeing up new print designs and playing in my home studio! A swim at the beach...fresh summer fruit, water the garden...ahhhh gotta love the summer frame of mind....but definetly looking forward to getting back to work already!!

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

Happy New Year!!

Monday 4 January 2010

Happy New year from ASHE!
Welcome to a new decade! 2010! We wish you all the best peace, love, good fortune and happiness for this year and may all your dreams come true!

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

Merry Christmas!

Thursday 24 December 2009

Merry Christmas and Peace to all in 2010!

Kelsey Ashe

 

Ashe Oriental Textile Banners

Tuesday 22 December 2009

My customers may have noticed  that I often have different banner hanging outside my shop....They are made from scraps of Ashe fabric which has been hand printed with my own textile designs and stitched together to create an eye catching wall piece...Well! They seem to get sold when I put them out there...so I will start making them for sale soon - you could even tell me what colours you prefer and I can put together a special piece with your favourite tones and motifs....Click on the image to enlarge it for more detail... 

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

Street Arts Festival

Saturday 19 December 2009

I love Fremantle for its exuberant craziness and non-stop festivals...George Street Festival, Sardine Festival, jazz Festival..Street Arts Festival...there seems to be always something happening...Luckily enough I had my camera handy when this lovely lass on stilts decided to stroll past my store during the Fremantle Festival...what a great photo opportunity! He ha

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

Jungle dress ON SALE

Thursday 17 December 2009

Ashe Jungle Dresses are now on the sale rack at half price! Its a strapless number - great for the beach or a summer stroll...I admit there aren't many left - A handful of Green, red and blue ones...don't miss out on this wonderful bargain as they wont be there for long!

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

Moody Ashe Image

Wednesday 16 December 2009

This graphic image is a bit of a blend of old ashe campaign imagery...new photos of Ashe homeware pieces and me messing around in Photoshop. Pictured is the "Concept bench" which is an amazingly ornate baroque bench covered in leather - we have both black and white ones available at Ashe. Also - the large carved ornate mirror pictured are available in black and white in 2 different sizes. The dress is our classicgown - The "Babydoll"...see you soon!

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

Indigo Christmas!

Tuesday 15 December 2009

For those people out there who love all things Indigo...We have a lovely selection of ceramics and pillows and tiles and textiles to keep you happy this Christmas....

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

Christmas Ideas at Ashe

Tuesday 15 December 2009

Morrocan tea glasses...Glass Lanterns...Journals..Handmade Jewellry... Hand Printed pillows...Ceramic Vases and Tiles and so much more....

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

IndoChine Silk Chiffon Dress

Monday 14 December 2009

Our lovely Ashe IndoChine dress, made of Silk Chiffon and hand printed with my "Cherry Blossom" design is running out fast...We only have three red ones like the one pictured here left! We also have black with a gold butterfly print available and Fuschia with "Cherry Blossom". All our Green and orange ones are long gone sorry!
This might be a good Christmas day frock...There is plenty of room to fit in 5 courses in this dress!

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

Ashe Christmas Gift Wrap Hand printing

Friday 11 December 2009

My Christmas Gift wrap paper looked so nice rolled out on my print table that I just had to take a photo of it before it all gets cut up....I love printing on Butcher's paper...HoHoHo!

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

Easton Pearon

Tuesday 8 December 2009

I love love love this label. Easton Pearson are an Australian duo - Lydia Pearson and Pamela Easton who have carved out a unique spot for themselves in Australian Fashion. I love their ethos for designing for women who are as much interested in art as fashion. They are interested in developing traditional textile techniques from all over the world and aren't driven by trends - choosing instead to interpret historical and cultural costumes and make them valid for today's woman. They are represented in only the best boutiques and sell their label in 24 countries to over 100 stores. Beautiful!

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

Little Gracie

Monday 7 December 2009

Little Gracie is now available at Ashe! Little Gracie was spotted by myself at Perth Fashion Festivals Collections show this year and I really fell in love with this feminine and frolicky label. Designer Ebony Harding's attention to detail in her garments is just delicious...lots of wafting silks and and chiffons and cute tiny floral prints and pintucks. You can see more of Little Gracie by either coming down to Ashe or by going to: littlegraciefashion.blogspot.com

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

Just a moment please!

Saturday 5 December 2009

Just a moment to thank my beautiful customers...We had a lady make a special effort to come down last week to the store to thank us for a gown she wore to a wedding in Hawaii which was a huge hit...we have cards and photos sent to us saying we have made their event so special...we have emails gushing about the wonderful impact their specially made gown had on their big day......Its these wonderful details which make it such a pleasure to create Ashe pieces...so my dear customers ....Thankyou!

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

Traditional Chinese Dress

Thursday 3 December 2009

What I have loved so much about having a blog page is that it has really helped me to hone in on the things I do find interesting and inspirational. Many of my collected books and articles are about Oriental and eastern textile design and costume and I feel very lucky to be able to post up my favourite images for all to see...This painting depicts Chinese women embroidering badges whilst wearing traditional Chinese dress. This late nineteenth century image shows us what typical middle class chinese ladies were wearing at the time - if only we sat around in such dazzling attire to do our chores!

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

Vintage Shanghai

Tuesday 1 December 2009

How to seem coquettish and provocative, while at the same time looking coy and demure, was the art perfected by young women portrayed in pre-war Shanghai Posters. I love looking through my books of vintage Chinese posters, it's such a lovely genre. This is a poster of a fashionable young woman with permed hair wearing a 1920's style Cheongsam. The flower worn on the shoulder was considered very chic!

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

Petals in Disarray

Friday 27 November 2009

One of Perths new talented upcoming designers has just joined us at ASHE to showcase her label "Petals in Disarray". Megan's label is quirky, design driven and has lots of interesting details such as prints and pleats and folds. Her summer range features beautiful silk blouses and wide leg denim pants and cute printed cotton skirts. Come in to Ashe and see the full summer range of Petals in Disarray and help to launch the career of another WA Designer success story!

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

Thanks Pip!

Wednesday 25 November 2009

The West Australian ran a special today in its Style section called "HOMEGROWN - We celebrate WA's Fashion Designers" and Pip Christmas the wonderful editor has written a beautiful article on Ashe as part of this story. Pip writes "...Ashe has cut an individual figure in the local design world, staying true to an aesthetic of timeless, flattering dresses, evening gowns, tops and skirts with an oriental feel that has seen a devoted clientele build up around the label... thanks Pip for the lovely write up! I will scan the article into my news and media section of my website so you can all read the article...

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

Briony Stewart - WA artist and author

Friday 20 November 2009

I recently went to the opening of Briony Stewart's exhibition "Field Studies from the whimsical world" and it was so delightful! Briony is not only an accomplished artist she has published and illustrated a children's short story and is busy working on her next project. I was so impressed with this artist and I will be following her work very closely. Unfortunately I missed out on buying the painting shown here...but at least I have the postcard to remind me!

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

Eat... Pray... Love

Tuesday 17 November 2009

This book isn't really design inspiration - but it certainly is inspirational. "Eat, Pray, Love" by Elizabeth Gilbert is a wonderful book - its half travel novel and half a story of a quest to find spirituality in a world where we also want to find a good pizza. It talks about finding the balance that so many of us women seek - a meaningful existence amoungst our careers, families and crazy lives - it is possible! From Months in an Ashram in India, to the porch of a medicine man in Bali to the heady pleasure of Rome...this is such an entertaining novel - check it out ladies!

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

Chitral Pakistan, Embroidery for Ashe

Monday 16 November 2009

In 2006 I was lucky enough to be a part of a textile project which resulted in my hand drawn designs to be embroidered by Muslim women in Chitral Pakistan. Cara Ratajczak (with whom I used to have the label MAKE years ago) headed the programme which meant travelling through the dangerous mountains of Pakistan to work with these beautiful gentle and talented ladies. The hand embroidered "Phoenix" print pictured here is just a detail from one of many embroidered panels I have in my studio which occasionally make their way into precious one-off ashe pieces which I sell in my shop. It's such a delight to work with textiles which are so sumptuous. I will post more images from the Chitral project - as they are just too beautiful to keep hidden....

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

Sibella Court's new book - etc.

Friday 13 November 2009

If you are a reader of interior design magazines like me - then it's is likely you have heard of Sibella Court - interior Stylist, paint colour designer, shop owner. Sibella has just released her first book "etc." and it is truly a divine read. Sibella's soft touch aesthetic and bower-bird like collections make for subtle and contemporary arrangements in interiors which have an absolute authenticity...no department store like styling here...everything she touches has a worn patina and a shabby chic appearance. Her studies in history are reflected in her love of antique and flea market finds which she effortlessly brings up to date by pinning, taping and layering pieces into beautiful arrangements. Sibella was also a judge in the recent Australian TV Series HomeMADE.

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

Ashe Window - Coral Chairs

Thursday 12 November 2009

In Store now we have not only the exquisite ashe garments - but we are also now selling beautiful homewares and designer furniture. In the Ashe window right now you can see our "Coral" Chairs.

 

They are fantastic as a statement piece in the corner of your bedroom or bathroom in white lacquered wood and studded upholstery - they are very lovely!! I really would like to take one home...but I must control myself! You can contact the shop for more details....

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

Moroccan Tea Glasses

Tuesday 10 November 2009

I love to drink tea from Moroccan tea glasses - it gives me a little of the exotic in my everyday life! Peppermint tea is my favourite...or good old green tea of course we all love! Ashe has a huge range of assorted Tea glasses large and small...in many colours...come and see for yourself...!

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

Vixen

Monday 9 November 2009

One of my Favourite Australian Fashion designers are VIXEN. Based in Melbourne, the label features exclusively hand printed and hand designed fabrics by textile designer Georgia Chapman. I can truly understand what goes into this label - as we hand print everything at Ashe as well! Vixen is available at Love in Tokyo which is just about half a block from Ashe in High Street Fremantle. I have managed to collect for myself a few Vixen pieces and they really are works of art - painstakingly printed and carefully handled by so many before it makes it to me - the customer...Just beautiful!

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

Brunschwig & Fils Chair

Saturday 7 November 2009

Don't you just love this chair! Truly Ribbeting! It's called the Lester chair with "Nymphaea" Cotton print of lotus leaves, lily pads and dragon flies...So Dynamic! To me this is Art. I would put it in a corner of a room and just watch it. I will post more of my favourite upholstery fabrics soon....

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

Shady Corner

Friday 6 November 2009

Hmmmn this is the Shady Tropical corner I am dreaming of for summer in my back yard...A whole bunch of Art books, A Moroccan Mint tea, probably my phone, a snack and some sunscreen...Blllisssssssssss. The image is from an Interiors magazine...but it will stay firmly on my office pinboard until I can manifest it into my own reality!!!

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

Stefano Gabbana Interior

Thursday 5 November 2009

More famous designer interiors! I have a huge collection of rip outs of my favourite designer interiors that I have collected over the years in my visual diary. This image is from the holiday home of designer Stefano Gabbana (of Dolce & Gabbana). It is situated on the Italian island of Stromboli...talk about decadent! I love the eclectic use of vintage Hollywood posters, the turquoise patina walls, the soldier puppets, the lavish furnishings...it is a treasure trove of antique finds and quirky styling. I certainly wouldn't mind a holiday in Stefano's home....

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

Liza Bruce at home

Tuesday 3 November 2009

One thing that always fascinates me is images of artists studios and designers own home interiors. Liza Bruce's fashion ranges are coveted by the likes of Kylie Minogue and Naomi Campbell, so she is certainly one to excel at styling. Her own home is spell bindingly decorated - straight out of a modern fairytale...antique carved Moroccan plaster walls contrast with modern geometric furniture, abstract designs sit happily alongside traditional Arabian motifs....I love it! Of course having the right amount of space and light is essential...but Oh! We can dream!

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

Crazy Glass Creations

Saturday 31 October 2009

Aren't these glass pieces amazing? This image is out of Vouge Living - but you don't have to pay a fortune for glass pieces like these. You can find vintage pieces in recycle boutiques, second hand shops, and at Ashe! We found several amazing Vintage glass Vases at the Truwindu markets in Java which we have bought back to sell in Ashe. They are just waiting for the discerning collector to come along and snatch them. Glass object look great in collections; all that reflective light bouncing around....What do you think?

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

Klaus Haapaniemi

Thursday 29 October 2009

Klaus Haapaniemi is a Scandinavian artist with a truly unique and imaginative design style. This image comes from his book "Monsters" which is a fully illustrated artist's book filled to the brim with his delightful drawings and paintings. I particularly like his style because he uses pattern and repetition a lot in his work. His work has been commissioned by international fashion houses, magazines and product design companies. I think the best way to describle his work is "wild beauty".

 

His book is published by Gingko Press - I got my copy from Outre Gallery in Melbourne.

 

Check it out!

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

Patio Prints

Tuesday 27 October 2009

Decorative Textile Design of the post-war years and following the Great depression are especially interesting to me. All of a sudden the world wanted colour, exuberance and a tropical flavour which promised good times to come. Lush flowering plants prevailed in many companies designs and Palm Fronds, Birds and tropical foliage were extremely popular. Printed onto heavy bark cloths and linens, the fabrics were used extensively for outdoor settings and upholstery for that dreamy armchair in the corner of the garden. I collect samples of patio prints and I promise I will post some more for you soon!

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

Fashion Talks at Fremantle Arts Centre

Monday 26 October 2009

Its not very often a designer gets to sit and listen to Akira Isagowa talk about his work and business...

Don't miss out!

Kelsey Ashe

 

Woodpile Art

Saturday 24 October 2009

I found this image circulating on the internet and just love it. I have no reference for it though so I am left wondering - is this the deliberated work of a visual artist or the whimsical creativity of someone with some spare time? Either way...you would hardly want to burn down this wood pile!

 

Can anyone tell me more about this image?

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

It's all in the details...

Friday 23 October 2009

This is a tiny section from one of my recent 2 colour way prints "Fortune Tree". If you click to enlarge the image hopefully you can see the delicate structure and texture of the fabric and the graphic build up of ink in some places to create a third shade of yellow. It is these tiny little details which make ashe garments such treasures. I used this fabric in my "Paradise" Dress for this season.

 

Enjoy!

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

Ashe Stencil Collection

Wednesday 21 October 2009

I have lost count of how many stencils I have hand drawn, put onto silk screen and printed and then filed away in my map drawers. I have definetly over 200...maybe nearly 300. The favourites like "Cherry Blossom" and "Arabesque" seem to never leave a silk screen - they just keep remaining favourites for all my customers. I'm looking forward to a time in my life when I can collate and display them properly and publish a book to go alongside. Watch this space!

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

Studio Days

Monday 19 October 2009

I am frequently asked what it is I do all day when I'm not in my store. Well I spend a lot of time scheming. I scheme ideas and plans for clothing production, I do lots of sketches for ideas for new styles which I then go over with my pattern maker, I draw new print designs and I print a lot. In fact I spend a lot of time in my studio mixing inks and messing about with colour and composition. The garment is like the blank canvas and I survey all my current silk screens (I have about 40 different designs on silk screen at any one time) and I begin to play. It sounds all rather romantic - but it's actually quite labourious and gruelling! Screen printing by hand is like a dying art. Everyone is turning to digital...but being the luddite I am - I will continue hand printing for as long as I can!

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

Warwick Fabrics "Burlesque" range

Saturday 17 October 2009

As a lover of textiles, I'm always looking at other new ranges and particularly interior fabrics lately have really caught my eye. The new Warwick range "Burlesque" resonates so well with my head space at the moment. Reflective surfaces, vintage curves, baroque style print design...black and white. Don't you just love it! Very inspirational...I'm off to do some drawing.... 

Kelsey Ashe

 

Glorious Green

Thursday 15 October 2009

Green is my favourite colour. It was also Frida Kahlo's favourite colour (along with red - she called them the colours of life...the colours of Mexico...) I love green because it represents nature, growth, renewal, vibrancy, the forest and ocean. It's uplifting and calming at the same time. I've decided to paint my front door green...a soft jade green. I have a very large section of green dresses in my shop and lucky for me - many other people share my passion with green and buy them! If you need some serious colour inspiration, grab yourself a copy of Shannon Fricke's "Sense of Style COLOUR". The image here if from her beautiful book which is full of luscious images of vibrant colour and how to use it in your home...check it out! 

Kelsey Ashe

 

Just Cavalli Catwalk in Milan

Wednesday 14 October 2009

Hmmmn, I love these designs by Cavalli. Ruching and ruffles, braided cord, metallic graphic prints, pleats and an almost crazy mish-mash of faded denim and silk....This was shown at Milan Fashion Week and I found it in Moda Magazine...You can click on the image to enlarge... 

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

Tropical Foliage

Monday 12 October 2009

Tropical foliage seems to pop up in my art all the time. It's so insanely robust and beautiful - with the most surprising growths and contusions...Recently in Java I photographed some amazing specimens. This one I've added here is being worked into a painting I'm doing at the moment and maybe it will also end up being incorporated into a print design as well. Now that its spring, even with our dry climate here in Perth, everything is flowering and it never ceases to amaze me the range of colour and form - it's a great inspiration for drawing pattern. Nature always comes up with the best designs! 

Kelsey Ashe

 

Glamorous Bathing

Saturday 10 October 2009

Hmmmnn...Who doesn't need a bit of pampering occasionally? Black, White and Silver....Very classic, always stylish....Plump towels...Fresh Flowers....A good book and a lonnnnnnnnnggggg soak.
I love it!

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

Ornate Mirrors Oh So Beautiful

Friday 9 October 2009

Reflecting natural light and candle light with a beautiful ornate mirror - very sumptuous. This image is from Nottinghill Furniture - A NSW company whom import French style decorator pieces. Ashe are now selling the most stunning mirrors - baroque carved in black and white. We have 85x85cm as well as 50x50cm - we are working on a photoshoot sometime in the very near future to make sure all you out there can see just what we have in stock....so stay in tune... 

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

Morrocan Design

Thursday 8 October 2009

I have a massive fascination with Moroccan design. There are so many things I love about it...The complex patterns of Islamic tile design...the traditional crafts of carved plaster and mosaics....Morocco provides an exotic Kingdom of oriental inspiration. Such a mysterious land conjures up all kinds of ideas for the artist and designer. Combining traditional motifs with modern stylistic elements you can create a layered look that is contemporary yet still containing the magical motifs of this beautiful desert land.  Short of moving to Morocco...you can create a little paradise of pattern at home...Enjoy!

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

Brunschwig & Fils

Wednesday 7 October 2009

Pictured here is a collage of quilt fabrics made in France by Brunschwig & Fils. Many of the designs are developed from traditional hand-stencilled, hand-painted Indian textiles from the 18th century. These antique designs never seem to lose their potency - the crisp colours and ornate beauty are still valid today; they bring a warmth and richness to any interior.  I am always looking to collect textiles such as this...but usually end up with more books full of pictures!  But thats ok....I like having a house overflowing with books too...Until next time... 

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

Utamaro (1753-1806) Japanese

Tuesday 6 October 2009

Utamaro is one of the most famous Japanese artists to have ever lived. He belongs to the genre of ukiyo-e or "pictures of the Floating world" - woodblock prints from the Edo period in Japan (1615 - 1868). The compositional strength of these images is unsurpassed and has influenced many artists and designers for centuries. I particularly love Utamaro's portraits of "Reigning beauties" which were of famous courtesans from the equally famous geisha houses in the Yoshiwara. I love the representation of the textiles and the subdued colour palette. This image here depicts Takigawa of the Ogiya. 

Kelsey Ashe

 

Florence Broadhurst (1899-1977) Australian

Monday 5 October 2009

Florence Broadhurst - almost a household name today; she was and still is an absolute doyenne of print design in Australia. I first discovered Florence while studying at Art School and by then my design was already moving into a graphic area so I immediately levitated towards her. An absolute self made business woman and artist, she was in her prime during the 1960's and 70's at the helm of her wall paper factory Florence Broadhurst Hand-Printed Wall Papers. Over 530 of her designs exist and many are still in use today - having been revived by Signature Prints in Sydney. Florence's prints have been used by fashion designers Akira Isagowa & Karen Walker and appear consistently in current design magazines. Her extra-ordinary life has inspired me many times and I often pull out her biography when I need a jolt of design stimulus or bravado to face the world - she was a completely undaunted, focused and brave individual. The fact that she was murdered and till this day it's a mystery as to why and who committed the crime; just adds to the story...
She was murdered just a couple of months from when I was born, so it's not hard to make the assumption that I have been influenced by Florence Broadhurst - I might just be her re-incarnation! (just kidding....!)

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

Traffic Stopping Dresses

Saturday 3 October 2009

Hello Ladies! Everyone seems to be looking for the perfect party frock....
Well we have so many new gorgeous dresses in store now!  Lots of limited edition gowns and seperates perfect for your next spring event.

See you at Ashe!

Kelsey Ashe

 

Fresh Flowers For Feng Shui!

Saturday 3 October 2009

Fresh Flowers speak for themselves and are the number one way to transform any area. They are instant good Feng shui! I cannot describe the joy I get from cutting roses, birds of paradise and frangipanis from my garden. Ornamental Cabbages like the ones shown here are a cheap option if you are looking for something hearty and fresh to liven up your interior....but watch out...when they turn...they smell very very bad! (bad feng shui).

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

Thea Proctor (1879-1966) Australian

Friday 2 October 2009

Thea was a contemporary of Margaret Prestons and the two artists often had tea parties together to discuss art, design and modernism - and no doubt gossip and chat about their bustling lives in Sydney of the 1920's. Oh would I have loved to be there with them! Thea is equally as famous as Margaret for her contribution towards modernism and even more so for her influence on interiors and design. As the cover illustrator for the HOME Quarterly for several years in the 1920's she was able to impart a sense of style and sophistication to a wide audience. Thea also contributed articles, reviews and appearances in the magazine and as the only female on the selection committee of The Society of Artists -she was a powerful woman in the Sydney Art World. Her wood cuts are probably the most well known - in particular "The Rose" from 1927 shown here. It is a striking example of her work; so bold, so beautiful!

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

Margaret Preston (1875 -1963) Australian

Thursday 1 October 2009

I was lucky enough to see a full retrospective of Margaret's work in Melbourne in 2005 at Federation Square's National gallery of Victoria. I found it hard to leave that exhibition - I was in there for hours just trying to absorb all that colour and light in her pictures. Margaret is a well known female Australian painter who contributed much to the conversation about Australian Art and the Modernist movement in the 1920's. She was a professional artist who studied overseas and during her career never ceased to prolifically paint and exhibit. What I also love about Margaret was her domestic sensibilities - which you can interpret through her Still lives. She loved to garden, to grow flowers, to set the table with lovely linen and cook a stew while painting her latest floral arrangement. At the time, her bold graphic arrangements were startlingly modern and she was a key influence in the re-design of a post-war interior design in Australia.
This painting is "Monstera deliciosa" 1934.

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

Frida Kahlo (1907 -1954) Mexican

Tuesday 29 September 2009

Oh Frida! Oh Frida! How we love you! Everything about Frida and her life and art is fascinating and provocative. Her intensely painted self-portraits; full of symbols and saturated colour have been a favourite of mine for a long long time. I first discovered Frida on the cover of a note book when I was just a teenager and so began my fascination with her work. After a near-death accident at the age of 18, Frida endured 30 painful operations over her short life and lived with more physical pain on a daily basis that any of us can even imagine. Painting provided Frida with a way to express herself - but her painting depicts more than physical pain - they reveal the torment of her love affair and marriage to the great Diego Riviera and also the joy she found in the things around her in moments of peace. Despite her pain, Frida lived the most colourful life and was a champion for many causes. Now people pay millions for her small paintings - and I can understand why....
"Viva La Vida" her famous words - long live life.

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

Spring Clean!

Saturday 26 September 2009

Hello Everyone! Spring is Finally here!!! Just when you thought that winter would drag on forever...the sun comes out and everyone has Spring Fever...what a wonderful ailment...positivity and light flood in and all of a sudden everything is in bloom. Delightful! Arriving this week in store we have lots of new spring styles from the Ashe Spring/Summer range - so push your winter pieces to the back of the wardrobe and re-vitalise yourself with a fresh start. Use some Feng Shui to fling out your past life wardrobe and lingering stale ‘qi' of ancient dreams. Think: Re-invention and embrace the ornate simplicity of this season!

Happy Spring to you all! 

Kelsey Ashe

 

Homewares Arrive!

Thursday 24 September 2009

Ooooooh how exciting....Ashe Homewares have arrived in store! It has been a dream of mine for a long time to produce homewares and to source beautiful objects while travelling to bring back to my beautiful store in Fremantle. This year I have been to Central Java to the Truwindu markets - a melting pot of objects from all over asia. We have bought back with us some beautiful pieces - Indo/Chinese ceramics, Moroccan style lanterns, hand painted vases and plates, brass ornaments and much else! We have also installed a range of French Re-production antiques - amazing leather covered benches, Louis XVI Arm chairs and Ornate Mirrors. I'm working on a Homewares page for my website - so keep your eye out for it soon!

 

Until next time.....

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

Vintage Posters

Thursday 24 September 2009

Another addiction of mine and inspiration this season were Vintage posters. They really appeal to my need to over-stylise an image and use up every possible part of the frame with pattern and colour to depict a story. French cosmetics and perfumes have a great history of exotic and beautiful poster design and I particularly love this one with its French Art Deco styling. The use of colour is high contrast and designed to grab your attention of course! Bright, graphic and designed to make you fall in love with whatever is being sold - I Love it Love it Love it.....

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

Baroque print design

Monday 21 September 2009

Baroque art and architecture is truly extravagant and over the top. It arose in Europe in the 17th Century and its mood is of barely suppressed passion and I love it for its totally exuberant spirit. The subject matter is also sympathetic to a lot of my Ashe motifs - lush florals and foliates, birds and butterflies and carved frieze's. I drew about 10 new print designs for this season and one of my favourites is this "Baroque Butterfly" design which is a two colour way print. I used it on two of my dresses for Perth Fashion Festival this year. It is shown here in a pink/purple colour way as it is laid out on my print table to dry. 

Kelsey Ashe

 

Casablanca - The Movie

Friday 18 September 2009

I've always loved that word - "Casablanca." It conjures up so many exotic ideas in my mind. The Moroccan city was immortalised forever in the 1942 classic Movie "Casablanca" and it's still thought of one of the greatest enduring films of all time. The romance and drama are palpable, the setting impeccable - war torn Paris and Casablanca and that line of course "Here's looking at you kid". This movie helped me with some styling decisions for my photo shoot - vintage styling - with an Ashe twist of course! 

Kelsey Ashe

 

French Detailing

Tuesday 15 September 2009

Everyone knows the French create fashion, Art and theatre of the grandest scale. The elaborate detailing of French Couture is so delicious; especially throughout its historical periods such as the baroque movement which flourished in the 17th Century. Of course we cannot imagine dressing like that today - it's just not practical I'm afraid! But I certainly took a few clues from that era for this seasons Ashe range. Ruffled necklines, sculptural bustles, pleats and plunging necklines were all on my agenda!

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

Marie Antoinette

Thursday 10 September 2009

This seasons range was like most of my ranges - developed over a period of months and drawing on all kinds of media for inspiration. Sometimes the print design comes first, other times the garment design comes first. My well used visual diary usually gives me the clues I need to make a start - as I collect everything in here!  Photos, scribbles, drawings, ideas and clippings. I was strongly drawn to Baroque style design and a vintage theme for garment design. I re-watched Marie Antoinette directed by Sofia Coppola and LOVED IT so much I went on a mad journey reading everything I could about her and the Baroque period. The set Design is actually in Versailles where Marie spent her languorous life after marrying Louis XVI in 1770. 

Marie Antoinette's Famous Ship Hair-do

Kelsey Ashe

 

Thankyou Thankyou Thankyou!

Tuesday 8 September 2009

Thankyou to everyone involved with making Perth Fashion Festival such a success and so much fun!

To everyone at The Perth Fashion Festival Office who put together the stunning Gasworks environment and made everything logistically possible to the Hair & Makeup people, the Models, the sponsors, the media, the co-designers, all the customers who have given their support, my staff who are absolutely amazing at what they do and of course my friends and family. Hoorah! And a big sigh of relief that life can go back to (normal?) for a while....

My backstage girls Zoe and Anastasia dressing models at WA Designer Collections - Thanks Gals!

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

Where it all began PART 7. - An ever evolving story....

Monday 7 September 2009

Since 2005 ASHE has now been sold nationally and internationally - I was able to sell my range through an agent to boutiques in Ireland, UK, Kuwait and Germany. I have taken ASHE to Mercedes Fashion Week in Melbourne after being a finalist in the Perth Mercedes Fashion Start-Up competition. I have been on selling trips around Australia, I have exhibited and participated in many Fremantle and Perth Fashion weeks and also have been part of StyleAid in 2007. I set up a diffusion label in 2006 called SELKEY which I sold through HUSTLE (also on High street) of which I was a partner for 18 months up until the beginning of 2008 - when I opened my first boutique - ASHE. I have thoroughly enjoyed being a part of the High Street Collective of Designers and it really still feels like just the beginning....there is so much more to come! Of course now Fremantle has become home - I've been here now for 12 years and still love the city as much as the first day I arrived....

This is ASHE at Mercedes Australia Fashion Week in Melbourne 2006. 

Kelsey Ashe

 

The Gallery Runway Event - Congratulations Fremantle!

Monday 7 September 2009

Wow, what a buzz there was at this event! Despite the pouring rain on a Monday night, the event was packed to the rafters and the crowd seemed to be in such a good mood. Spontaneous outbursts of clapping and cheering and a general rumbling of good cheer were bouncing throughout the whole room. Gallery Runway presented the best of Fremantle Designers and without a doubt it was a more colourful and over-the-top event than others I have seen. My favourites were Cocoon Textiles, Velvet Sushi and of course Ashe. Morrison followed The Gallery Runway event but by that point I was backstage and missed it - apparently it was sleek, monotone and very well received so congratulations Fremantle! 

Kelsey Ashe

 

The Gallery Exhibition with WASO

Sunday 6 September 2009

Amongst the many highlights of Perth Fashion Festival I particularly enjoyed the Fremantle Event which was held at The Moores Building with members from The West Australian Symphony Orchestra playing in the background. How delightful! Fresh Flowers, Art, Food, Fashion, music, champagne and the Freo Fashion gang was always going to add up to a fun afternoon. Bridget Waters provided artfully styled food from her company RipeArt which was another nice touch. I hadn't seen Bridget since we were Art Students together at Curtin university so it was great to see her doing so well. The light in The Moores Building is so delicious and with Moore & Moore Cafe bustling away in the background and hundreds of visitors over the brief time the display was on - I felt it really epitomised what the Fremantle designers are all about - creativity and a bit of flair...Fantastic!

Kelsey Ashe

 

Where it all began PART 6. - Working Girl

Sunday 6 September 2009

In 2002 my partner in fashion/textiles label MAKE Cara decided to go travelling so we said our farewells by both heading to Tahiti together! We had worked really hard and Tahiti was a place to unravel after the end of a long phase of tumultuous life changing events. (The idea of a tropical paradise has featured in much of my art work over the years and I love the low brow tiki art movement which has re-surfaced over the last few years.) Back in Fremantle Empire Rose asked me to go work for them which was perfect timing. I spent almost two years working closely with Director/Designer Kath Mudie to develop textiles, choose fabrics, design styles for their diffusion line Ava & Scarlett, print T-shirts for Erman, choose buttons -oooh what fun! During this period I also did some free-lance work including developing textiles for Wheels & Dollbaby and I also created a textile design which was snatched up by Morrison. I had been throwing ideas around about starting a new label and my middle name - ASHE - seemed to be the most fitting choice for the label name. Empire Rose generously stocked my first range and my first season took off without much effort - I had secured five local boutiques to sell my product. It wasn't long before I was working for myself full-time. I spent all day in my studio - drawing, printing, cutting, playing and generally being lost in Ashe land - my baby was born!

This is an early Ashe range picture from my "Babylon" Winter range 2005 - featuring gorgeous model Shireen Jones and shot by Leah Willie.

Kelsey Ashe

 

WA Designer Collections for Perth Fashion Festival

Saturday 5 September 2009

Fashion Week flies by and phew! ....what a week it was... ....Three big shows for Ashe meant lots of running around, plenty of adrenalin and just as much champagne! WA Designer Collections was a sell-out so the build up to the show was rather exciting. The Runway design this year was beautiful with hundreds of globes dropping along the length of the catwalk and the gritty backdrop of the old Gasworks Building creating a shabby chic kind of feel. My favourites this year were Megan Salmon and Love in Tokyo (and Ashe) - biased I know - Fremantle Textile designers - but hey that's what I love! Although the show was fantastic, the real fun is in the backstage pelava - manic models, hair and makeup, people shouting and screaming....and then the after-drinks where you can de-brief with fellow designers and ponder the whimsical nature of fashion and how fast it all goes by......

Kelsey Ashe

 

Where it all began PART 5. - My first label MAKE

Saturday 5 September 2009

Cara Ratajczak and I began the label MAKE in 2001 and Boy oh Boy did we have fun! We both enrolled in a Business Course at Tafe and wrote a simple business plan and then began working on the range of clothing. We also both worked part-time in Curtin Universities Textile Department of the Art School doing technician duties and teaching workshops to new students. With our shared Textile knowledge and tonnes of energy - we put together a range which literally knocked everyone's socks off. We were on the front page of SCOOP, we were picked up by all the top boutiques including Empire Rose and Emporia. We took our product to Fashion Week in Melbourne and immediately had an eastern states market as well. MAKE was architectural, graphic, textured, urban and still beautiful. It was a great grounding for all that was to come in the future.

Pictured here is "Thy Rachael Goddess" Fellow Art student and model.  Photographed by Stef King. 

Kelsey Ashe

 

Where it all began PART 4. - Art School at Curtin University

Friday 4 September 2009

I arrived in WA on Valentine's Day 1998. I immediately fell in love with Fremantle -the life on the streets, the sun, art seemed to be everywhere, the beach was so accessible and anything seemed possible! I initially was to major in painting and I had chosen a minor in Textiles - but this soon was swapped to my major. I took to screen printing straight away as my work had been developing a strong graphic style and this medium was perfect way for me to develop this progression. I was so lucky to have a great year of students - friends whom I am still in close contact and we all went through to do our Honours degree in Textiles. I received a  rigorous art education at Curtin and am so grateful for the experiences I had during that period. With an Honours degree under my belt I now had to make choice - where to now? I couldn't sew to save myself but that did not stop me from starting up a fashion label with co-student Cara Ratajczak - we formed the label MAKE in 2001.

This image is of Rebecca Atherton modeling MAKE - shot by Cara Ratajczack at Monument Hill in Fremantle. 

Kelsey Ashe

 

Where it all began PART 3. - Art School in Melbourne

Wednesday 2 September 2009

I am so pleased I decided to go to Art School. Some of my most fond memories are of that first year walking the streets of Melbourne, I was so inspired by everything! I had decided in my youthful exuberance to be a painter and a print-maker. I had been strongly influenced by Tasmanian Lino-Print artist Kit Hiller - who in turn was probably inspired by some of my favourite Artists - Margaret Preston and Thea Proctor - two female artists who were a big part of the modernist story in Australian Art in the 1920's - I will blog about them at a later date! I became more interested in textiles around now - I loved the history costume, the ritual of textiles in everyday life and the way it carries pattern all fascinated me. I had transferred to Curtin University for my 2nd year of University - I guess I still had the travel bug and Western Australia was somehow calling me. Someone had told me that In WA the beaches go forever and that seemed to resonate with me at the time, so I packed all my items up and off I went again - another adventure to a new place where i would have to make new friends and find my way!

This is a detail from painting of mine from a series called "The Pearl" which is a mexican fable. I was sweet 17!

Kelsey Ashe

 

Where it all began PART 2. - Study & Travel

Tuesday 1 September 2009

Deciding what to study meandered all over the place for me - as it does with most young people deciding what to do with their lives...I have always been fascinated with antiquity and ancient history - so I thought I wanted to be an archaeologist or a historian/librarian while I was in high school and worked in the local florist for pocket money. I was great at Art but I took that as a hobby for the time and settled on hospitality as a direction. I moved to New Zealand to live with my father when I was 15 and worked as a receptionist in a five star hotel, among many other jobs. After four years of travelling, working and experiencing the ups and downs of life I decided to go back to college and study art. I knew I loved history, design, colour theory and myth. After all that time trying different things the ultimate yearning was my passion - what had been a hobby was now to become my career and boy oh boy was I excited when it all dawned on me - of course! An artist - what else could I possibly be? It was a great moment - I rang mum to tell her I was finally coming home and that I was going to go to Art School!  
I spent two years at Hellyer College in Tasmania studying Graphic Design, Photography and Painting then enrolled into Deakin University in Melbourne - ahhhh such fond memories..... 

Here is an early Lino-cut of mine - I was about 16 when I created this "sunburst over ocean" image.

Kelsey Ashe

 

Preparing for Fashion Week

Monday 31 August 2009

So much preparation goes into Perth Fashion Festival - if you're not organised it can be disasterous! Knowing just what to put on these leggy models is the biggest consideration - of all the hundreds of dresses I have - which ones do I want to show the world? Of course I ended up doing all new pieces, new prints, new everything. The perfect piece of music is also crucial. I chose "Diferente" by The Gotan Project which is a bit so Frenchy so chic and a bit punchy and a tad exhilarating too - one of those tunes which sends a chill down your spine. I wanted a rich yet muted colour palate and a vintage feel. The prints of course are always the focus of my designs so I presented lots of gowns which can really show off lots of metres of fabric and the baroque style prints I designed for the season. Fittings at the GPO building for WA Collections and Gallery Runway went smoothly - my models are all blonde and gorgeous. Now....let the show begin...

Kelsey Ashe

 

Where it all began PART 1. - From the VERY beginning!

Monday 31 August 2009

More so than any other question I receive from my customers is: How did this all begin?  How did you start your business? And what inspires you? Well all those questions have lots of different answers but I will try to outline it for you - right from the beginning! I grew up in a very beautiful part of Tasmania on a large property where we had every child's dream surroundings...A river ran through the property, we had acres and acres of forest to roam in or ride our motorbikes, we had horses and goats and sheep and cats and dogs and wild animals which we tried to tame. My mother was very artistic and I remember her always creating something - she made humungous Macramé textile hangings which were truly amazing, hand made pottery, drawing, painting, all sorts of needlework and knitting and a general flair for creative interior design, gardening and cooking. Not to mention she also designed the very house we lived in - which at the time back in the 70's would have been a very forward thinking design! Without a doubt it has been my mother's flair with the domestic arts which have fed into my love of textiles, art and home design. My mum is still an artist and exhibits her paintings now regularly back in Tasmania where she still lives in her latest amazing designer home (which she designed herself!) Thanks Mum!

 

Kelsey Ashe

 

2009 Perth Fashion Festival and WASO

Tuesday 25 August 2009

This is my first blog ever which according to my web guys makes me a 'newbie'. With so many people asking for more about what I do and where I find my inspiration, I felt it was time to get myself online and let you be part of the wonderful world of Ashe.

Right now is festival time and I have been lucky enough to be featured in three shows over the week!

The first is the 'WA Designer Collection', which features the 'very best of WA Designer Fashion'. You can catch this show from 6.30pm on Saturday 5th September at the Fashion Paramount Gasworks Building in Perth. You can buy tickets from this at Tiketek.

The second is The 'Gallery Exhibition', which is a free event in Fremantle on Sunday 6th September featuring the alluring sounds of WASO.

The third is 'The Gallery Runway' and will feature all of the crew from the Fremantle Fashion Collective. You can catch this show from 6.30pm on Monday 7th September at the Fashion Paramount Gasworks Building in Perth. You can buy tickets from this at Tiketek.

Until next time!

Kelsey Ashe

 

Atmosphere Exhibition Coming soon!
Wednesday 25 August 2010

Crafting fun! - Japanese masking tape
Thursday 19 August 2010

Crafting - Macrame is back!
Monday 16 August 2010

The return of Craft!
Thursday 12 August 2010

"Atmosphere" Exhibition for Ashe Coming soon...
Monday 9 August 2010

Will Bradley (1868 – 1962) cont...
Wednesday 4 August 2010

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