Laura Ashton is a very talented clothing designer from Victoria, BC. She founded Haute Pink Designs in 2005 because she has always had a passion for creating unique and colourful pieces.
Haute Pink Designs has a beautiful selection of swimwear to choose from! Laura takes pride in constantly striving to further bring innovation into her designs.
I am honoured to have been able to interview Laura for this feature.
Above: Beautiful models Grace and Sophia rock Haute Pink Designs.
AVIVA: What inspired you to become a clothing designer?
LAURA ASHTON: I became inspired by clothing at a young age, I am self taught and learned to sew by altering off the rack clothing to fit me better. I began making swimsuits when I was about 16….And have been hooked ever since!
AVIVA: Have you always wanted to be a designer, or did you want to do something else when you were younger?
LA: When I was a small child I lived in a remote logging town on the coast of northern Vancouver Island. So at the time I wanted to be either a Helicopter Pilot or a Tug Boat Captain…lol. However since then I have tapped into my creative roots and love working with spandex. Though I still like taking a chopper to a remote coastal island once in a while 🙂
AVIVA: Do you have any clothing designers that inspire you (if so, who)?
LA: Yes…there is a Montreal high end swimsuit designer that creates the most amazing swimsuits made here in Canada. The company is called Shan and they have achieved international success. I think it is very inspiring.
AVIVA: In your opinion, what is the most exciting thing about being a clothing designer?
LA: The most exciting thing is creating a new design and having it work out perfectly….then dreaming up any fabric combination you can think of, and of course having a ton of swimsuits in your personal collection to choose from.
AVIVA: What do you believe sets Haute Pink Designs apart from other swimwear companies?
LA: Haute Pink is the only local swimsuit label that offers the choice to customize any suit with whatever fabric combo you would like out of our fabric gallery and mix and match designs and sizes. There are endless options for the client to put their own touch on a one of a kind designer swimsuit.
AVIVA: What are some of your other passions/interests?
LA: I am also a botanical artist and am currently working towards a diploma in Botanical Illustration from the London Art College. I am very outdoor inclined and go hiking, biking and swimming. I also enjoy searching out and identifying the native plants of Vancouver Island.
AVIVA: If money/time were no object, what is your ultimate goal in the fashion industry?
LA: I would have a couple of store front Boutiques for Haute Pink as well as a Private Seaside studio. I would have more employees helping me with production and increase my wholesale clientele. I would pursue coverage in leading fashion magazines as well as the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit magazine.
AVIVA: Do you have any additional comments?
LA: One of the most satisfying things about creating swimsuits for clients is getting their happy feedback and knowing that they feel great in their swimsuit and have the option to create the kind of swimsuit they are looking for.
Currently I am working on a Summer 2011 line that features some more novelty designs that you would not be able to find in most stores. This should be launched some time in June.
————————————————————————————————–
I would like to thank Laura for this great interview, and I am looking forward to meeting her one day.
You can check out more of her work on the Haute Pink Designs Website, Facebook Page, as well as her page on Etsy.
—————————————————————————————————
Cheers,
Aviva 🙂
