She grew up watching her grandmother Madge create her own patterns and sew as a seamstress. She learned her grandmother’s stories of her great-aunt Hazel’s talent for fashion as well, and became inspired. At 17, she began working with her mother in her family-owned boutique and quickly became a savvy women’s buyer, saleswoman, and merchandiser. Her entrepreneurial spirit and adoration for fashion
were recognized at an early age, yet she did not discover her talent for design until she began sewing with a tailor in China while working as a missionary after college. When she came back to the States she decided to further pursue her fascination with fashion, eventually making the move from her deep Texan roots to the hustle and bustle of New York City. While working in the northeast, her confidence in her vision grew as she excelled in the world of design. Ashley returned to the South determined to take her experience and passion and evolve them into her very own contemporary luxury line, Dreams of Hazel. A brave gem in the industry, she purposefully branded her company domestically from within the Southern United States. Every piece of Dreams of Hazel merges touches of bohemian detailing and modern silhouettes. Wearing Dreams of Hazel means the excitement of finding an iconic treasure from your grandmother’s closet and uniquely setting a new trend all in one garment; the perfect balance of vintage-inspired and sophistication of now. Ashley realizes the Dreams of Hazel look with artful, unique prints and the very best in luxurious fabrications. Since Dreams of Hazel’s debut in the spring of 2012, it has quickly gained a faithful following and is sold at more than 20 astute and distinguished retailers nationally. Proudly Made in the USA, the Dreams of Hazel love continues to spread as Ashley creates from her studio in Jacksonville, FL.
