Meet Ashli J. Washington | Designer + Writer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ashli J. Washington and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ashli, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
The initial thought process wasn’t a process at all if I’m being honest. I made a chiffon kimono, wore it, posted it on social media and someone asked if I would make them one. I created an Etsy account and that’s where it started in 2014. Since then, I’ve started the business, took a two (or three-year) hiatus, came back, then took a break again. In April 2020 when the pandemic hit, I was on another break, but I made about 10 masks and sent them to my family and loved ones out of necessity. My best friend encouraged me to offer some to folks on social media because there was a dire need for them. I sewed non-stop from April to June. I sold so many masks that I never want to make another one again! It was a tiring, but rewarding experience. I’ve been dedicated to building my business since then. There’s so much more intention behind what I do now. My products are designed for Black women and I take that very seriously.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Admittedly, I do a lot creatively. It was something that I shied away from sharing as recently as last year, but I believe every gift is from God, so why hide the gifts He’s given? My first gift was song. Singing is innate and something I’ve done since I was child. As an adult, I’ve focused more on visual and written forms of art. I love to take portraits of people. The authenticity and vulnerability shared between a photographer and a subject is beautiful. I also love to share people’s stories through film as well. It’s something that I didn’t know I’d love until I started working at Spelman and was granted the opportunity to film and produce projects about the dope Black women in that community. That work is what I’m most proud of thus far in my career. At the top of 2020, I wrote my first short screenplay. Since then, I’ve been a part of three WATZS Productions Writers Rooms, where we’ve written two television dramas, one of which goes into production in 2022. I also will produce and direct my first short film, Photosynthesis, this year. Screenwriting has become the most intense passion of my life, but it’s something I’m fairly new to doing. It was something that felt like it came out of the blue, which made it scary for me. It hasn’t been easy, I realized that along this journey I’ve heard ‘no’ more than I have my entire life. But I’ve also experienced so many incredible things that I never imagined I would. It’s give and take. The no’s serve as motivation to keep going and keep growing.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
The thing about Atlanta, it’s gon be hot. For a minute lol. If it’s March-October, we hitting the Beltline. I kind of rediscovered it during the pandemic and it hits! The patios, the rooftops, the food and the vibes are everything. We’re also going to hit up some of the city’s Black-owned restaurants. Some of my faves are Negril ATL, Tassili’s, Le Petit Marche and Slim and Husky’s.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I definitely want to shoutout my parents. They truly are the best people I know and have supported me in every creative endeavor I’ve pursued my entire life. I am who I am because of them. When naming my brand, I decided to use my father’s first name as way to honor him and my family. I also have to shoutout my sisters and chosen family. The way they support me is unreal!

Website: AshliJWashington.com & AshliJamesCollection.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsmeashli/?hl=en

Image Credits
Photo credit for my headshot only: Nakeshia Wright