The idea started in February 2020 when Ashton approached me about designing a dress together. I loved the idea and was immediately intrigued as I had never done a collaboration before and as a designer it has always been something I’ve wanted to explore with my brand.
We originally decided to create the quintessential Euro summer slip-on dress to launch mid-2020. It wasn't long before our design was put on hold due to Covid-19. Similar to most clothing labels, Ashton and I had to re-think our initial ideas and shift our focus to pieces that had the versatility to be worn out and about or at home in lockdown.
What was meant to be a one-piece exclusive, turned into a four-piece capsule collection. Taking inspiration from Ashton's personal style and my knowledge of design, my brand and my customer, we present to you the 'Ashton Collection', Isabelle Quinn's first collaboration. Inspired by Ashton, designed with Isabelle, and worn by you, in celebration of doing what you love.
THE ASHTON MAXI DRESS was the first and original design - this was going to be the only piece that we would release. It took many meetings to decide on the perfect colours, strap positioning, length and fine features. The Ashton Maxi provides a figure-hugging, yet soft and comfortable fit, with hues of espresso and a generous left-side split.
After deciding to expand the collection; broadening the wearability options for all figures, we sketched up the concept for the ashton mini dress. She’s alike the maxi, however mini in length, and matcha in tone (ashton’s favourite go-to drink). Both styles were actually going to include gold hardware, with a centre back strap! But after the samples arrived and ashton (+ wolfie) came in for fittings, we decided these weren’t needed. The open back and thin strap detail was enough and it felt right for our customer.
Inspired with never ending ideas, and keeping in mind the current circumstances of the world as mentioned above, we knew that we needed to consider an all-rounder comfort look; a look that can be warn from dusk to dawn. Lounge at home, or pop on some heels and head out for some pinots with the ladies. With this being said, we introduce to you the final design to the capsule collection – THE ASHTON KNIT TOP AND THE ASHTON KNIT PANT. Whilst we seemed to have the top completed pretty early in the process, I will say that the pant was the most difficult to perfect of all. As a designer, I find pants can be tricky at times as most people have a particular way that they like them to fit, so we put an extra focus towards creating a design that’s both versatile and complementing.
This has been such a fun process, one that is totally new for us, and now it’s finally here for you.
Myself and Ashton would love more than ever, to see you wear these pieces, doing the things you love, enjoying life with the people closest to you. Life sure is a journey and you deserve to feel your best x
