Andrew Ashton & Steven Anderson Introduce Their First-Ever Collection at Tampa Bay Fashion Week
Since 2008, Andrew Ashton and Steven Anderson have been actively involved in the behind-the-scenes goings-on at Tampa Bay Fashion Week. In recent years, the dynamic duo has even stepped up its responsibilities to include overseeing the hair & makeup artists at the all-important designer runway show.
Andrew Ashton & Steven Anderson - First-Ever Collection 1 of 2 - Photo: Jamie Jackson & Nick Anderson
But this year Ashton and Anderson, with their combined 50-plus years of experience in the beauty industry, have taken their involvement to the next level by premiering their first-ever collection of couture designs – the Ashton Anderson line – at this year’s event, which celebrates its fifth year in existence.
“Steven and I have worked on tons and tons of photo shoots, as well as television and runway shows, so we’ve always been around fashion,” asserts Ashton, the co-owner of La Posh Salon in Clearwater who doesn’t claim to be a fashion designer, but rather a fashion enthusiast. “We’ve always discussed evening gowns as something we love. And this just seemed like a natural next step!”
So this spring, Ashton and Anderson began sketching their ideas. And, they worked with a seamstress to bring 14 of their varied designs to life.
“Stephen and I think differently about dresses; and you can probably tell which ones are my designs and which are his,” states Ashton, who finds inspiration in things like architecture, while Anderson prefers more classic silhouettes like those found in Old Hollywood. “We wanted to show beautiful gowns that women could actually wear to special events. And we worked on these dresses for what seemed like forever! We spent hours and hours even sewing the dresses ourselves!”
In the end, Ashton and Anderson created an wide-ranging collection of 11 show-stopping gowns that wowed the crowd at Tampa Bay Fashion Week and left pair overwhelmed with emotion.
Andrew Ashton & Steven Anderson - First-Ever Collection 2 of 2 - Photo: Jamie Jackson & Nick Anderson
“We wanted to cry. And we probably did,” says Ashton with a laugh. “I woke up the next morning almost depressed, and I texted Steven saying, ‘Okay, what do you want to do now?’ This was just a fun thing, something we just wanted to try our hand at. And it turned into something people loved!”
So now that they’ve managed to steal the show with their first collection of eye-catching evening gowns, Ashton and Anderson definitely see more fashion in their future.
“For the next line, we’ll probably do something more cohesive,” pronounces Ashton. “This collection was more everywhere. It worked out because we used a similar color palette, and that’s how we pulled the line together. But next time we’ll merge our ideas a little more.”
If this first attempt is any indication, Ashton and Anderson are well on their way to becoming the next big thing in fashion. And it may not be too long before you spot Julia Roberts, Jennifer Lopez or Sarah Jessica Parker on the red carpet in an Ashton Anderson original.
Tom Castañeda
Tom Castañeda is a creative writer, blogger, and award-winning broadcast journalist who has worked at Architectural Digest, In Touch Weekly, and Latina – a fashion, beauty, and lifestyle magazine for today’s bi-cultural Latina woman. Throughout his career in publishing, Tom has planned and executed numerous celebrity, fashion, and beauty programs throughout the country, including fashion shows, and shopping events for brands like Bloomingdale’s, Chanel, Mikimoto, David Yurman, Givenchy, Armani Fragrances, Macy’s, Southpole Collection, and more. Additionally, Tom has drawn on his strong journalism background to create various print, online, and video reports on various subjects, including fashion and beauty.
