Runway shows are often associated with strict invites and high-end designers, filled with paparazzi and celebrities. It seems almost remote and distant, but it’s not thanks to Ashley Rodriguez, founder and director of Ashley S. Productions.
Rodriguez, a 24-year-old creative director, has been bridging the gap between the accessible and the inaccessible with her shows by utilizing her community. She moved from the Dominican Republic to New York City at the age of 7 and has planted her feet in the city’s concrete sidewalks ever since. Growing up in the Bronx with its diverse culture has influenced her style of mixing aesthetics.
Following her mood instead of sticking to one niche, you can see her jump from alternative to streetwear, business to boho, or just plain comfortable.
“I don’t really pick an aesthetic,” she said. “Gender fluidity is my middle name.”
Seeing fashion everywhere she went and getting inspired by models made her desire getting her foot in the door of the fashion industry.
Before the fashion shows, Rodriguez participated in a beauty pageant at the age of 22. Despite her disappointing experience, she strived through and kept her spirits high.
“Pageants are definitely not for the weak,” she said, recalling her time competing. “You have to be strong-willed, confident and prepared, because it will eat you alive if you let it.”
Instead of getting discouraged by the standards of the contest, she took what she learned and channeled it into her own castings. Coming from an African American father and a Dominican mother, Rodriguez has a complexion that causes people to mistake her background.
Nonetheless, she chose to use her privilege to make a difference with her productions instead of using it to her advantage.
“In reality, that certain look [European beauty standard] is built on and based around literal racism,” she said. “I wanted to stray away from the industry norms.”
As an Afro-Latina woman of this generation, starting your own company in the fashion world may not be impossible, but it’s no walk in the park.
Since starting her company in December 2023, Rodriguez has funded and produced three quality fashion shows while working a full-time job. She’s also faced gender discrimination when communicating with other brands.
“There’s some invisible power struggle that people in society have, especially when it comes to creative directors and people who run fashion shows,” she said, not fazed by the hardships, after being asked about overcoming challenges since taking on the role. “If you have the motivation and you’re goal-oriented enough to know what you’re striving for and what you want, it comes very easy.”
As fast fashion trends rise and fall, it’s natural to try and stick to the pace. The individual expression, especially through clothes, has always been Rodriguez’s focal point.
Although in some cases looks can be deceiving, what you wear says a lot about who you are and what you want others to know as well.
“Fashion to me is just about discovering you being you and how you can accentuate that even more,” Rodriguez said.
In the future, Rodriguez wants to open the umbrella for Ashley S. Productions and curate more spaces for events unrelated to fashion like parties and films.
Her main mission is “showcasing all the things that I can do while other people can benefit from the opportunities I put out.”
She can be found on Instagram @c0ngezted_.
