We recently connected with Ashley Ball and have shared our conversation below.
Ashley , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. So, let’s imagine that you were advising someone who wanted to start something similar to you and they asked you what you would do differently in the startup-process knowing what you know now. How would you respond?
Great question!
If I had the opportunity to start over, I would’ve taken the leap and attended the Art Institute of Manhattan back in 2010 when I was accepted on a scholarship. Looking back, that experience could have accelerated my growth and put me even further ahead in my career. But I truly believe that everything happens for a reason God often reroutes us to shape our journey in a way that’s uniquely our own.
While I didn’t follow the traditional path through fashion school, I’ve gained so much real-world knowledge through hands on experience, trial and error, and pure determination. That being said, I do sometimes reflect on how formal training in fashion business, client building, and creative development could have helped me scale faster. Still, I’m incredibly grateful for the route I’ve taken.
Every lesson I’ve learned along the way has shaped me into the stylist I am today. And to now see my styling business not only thriving, but also expanding into new services, is a dream come true. I had a vision for my brand, and it’s already surpassing my expectations. I’m genuinely excited about what’s ahead and although my path wasn’t conventional, it’s been purposeful and I wouldn’t trade that growth for anything.
Ashley , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
Hi there, new readers!
I’m Ashley Ball also known as AB and I’m a fashion stylist, creative director, and sketch artist. My journey into fashion started back in high school, where I found joy sketching and designing prom dresses and formalwear. That creative spark never left. I was always drawn to the artistry of fashion and how it allows people to express who they are.
Although I was accepted into a fashion program in New York, fear and life circumstances led me down a different path initially. I got licensed as a hairstylist to make ends meet, but I knew deep down that wasn’t my purpose fashion has always had my heart.
In 2022, I finally took the leap and launched my fashion styling business. What began as a passion quickly evolved into a brand, and now I work with women from across the country including celebrity clients to bring their style visions to life. I specialize in personal styling, creative direction, and visual concept planning for branding photoshoots, events, and more. In 2025, I expanded my offerings to include custom fashion sketches, which have become a client favorite. These sketch visuals help clients see their full look come to life before ever stepping into it.
What sets me apart is the level of discipline, passion, and precision I bring to every project. I don’t just throw outfits together I spend hours researching, curating, and sketching personalized looks. I’m committed to helping my clients look and feel their absolute best, whether they’re prepping for a branding shoot, a tour, or just want to elevate their everyday style.
I live and breathe fashion it’s in everything I do. I’ve built my brand from the ground up, and watching it grow into what it is today has been one of my proudest accomplishments. I never imagined when I started in 2022 that I’d be here today, thriving, expanding, and working with incredible clients across the country.
To any new readers, followers, or potential clients: I’m always accepting new clients (lol) and if you’re looking for someone who’s going to go all in on your vision, who brings creativity, consistency, and luxury level detail to every look , I’d love to work with you.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
One of the biggest lessons I had to unlearn early on was thinking that everyone would love the looks I put together or that they should. When I first started styling, I used to question people’s taste like, “Can they really dress?” because in my head, the outfit was a hit but I quickly realized that style is deeply personal, and not everyone’s vision is going to align with mine and that’s perfectly okay.
That realization pushed me to grow. It taught me to stop taking creative differences personally and instead see them as opportunities. Everyone’s aesthetic is different, some clients love streetwear, others want luxury glam, some lean into punk rock or Y2K and as a stylist, it’s my job to adapt and elevate their style, not just showcase my own taste.
That lesson really helped shape me into the versatile stylist I am today. Now I embrace the challenge of working with all types of style personalities, and I’ve built a reputation for being able to bring any client’s vision to life while still adding my signature flair.
How did you build your audience on social media?
Absolutely! I built my audience on social media through collaboration, strategy, and a whole lot of trial and error. In the beginning, I didn’t wait around for opportunities to find me I created them. I would DM other creators, stylists, and photographers to ask if they wanted to collaborate. I even reached out to women who fit my brand and invited them to be ambassadors. That hands on, personal approach helped me grow my audience organically and quickly.
Eventually, I got bold enough to start DM’ing celebrities, and to my surprise, some of them responded. Those moments gave me the confidence to keep building and pushing forward. One thing I learned is that you might think you know your audience in the beginning, but it takes time and data to really understand them.
When I first started posting, I leaned into sneaker looks and casual styling. But as I studied my Instagram analytics, I discovered my audience gravitated toward a very specific aesthetic: girly streetwear. They loved seeing things like jerseys styled with heels, thigh-high boots, and fitted caps a mix of sporty and sexy. Once I understood that, I pivoted my content to align with what they were actually responding to, and that’s when things really started to take off.
My biggest advice for anyone just starting to build a social media presence?
• Collaborate!!! you never know who’s watching.
• Be consistent, even when the likes are low.
• And most importantly, study your analytics.
Your audience will literally show you what they want. Once you know what that is, give it to them but make sure it still feels true to you.
Contact Info:
