We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ashley Harper Smith a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Ashley Harper thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear about the things you feel your parents did right and how those things have impacted your career and life.
My parents always made “work” seem like a lot of fun, so I never dreaded the prospect of it. Both my mother and father are creative people in every sense of the word. My mother went to school for fashion design; she has incredible taste and style.; and she has a knack for making any space feel sacred. My mom encouraged me to choose to wear whatever I was drawn to from a very young age, and that always felt very freeing. Her magnetism is infectious; she is endlessly optimistic; and she exudes kindness and light. All of which had a major influence on my way of being and how I move through this life. My father had an outlandish sense of humor, fearless approach to taking creative risks and he was a true visionary. He also pushed me to breathe through mistakes and keep going…to be assertive…to raise have high standards… to live wildly. I was lucky enough to have two fathers! My stepdad was known for his tenacity, gusto and his ability to send people into fits of laughter with his inappropriate antics. He style of leading others in the workplace was to join, come alongside, lift up. He was the one everyone called when they were in trouble. He listened. He was a helper. All three of my parents inspired me to be intentional, resourceful and relentless in my quest, whatever it may be.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
My main love is helping children, adolescents, young adults and families who are living with mental health related challenges. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker specializing in OCD & Anxiety Disorders and I’ve been in the field professionally since 2005. I’ve worked in multiple levels of care and various school and university hospital settings as a psychotherapist, instructor and supervisor. I consider therapy to be an art form in itself; this is how I approach it.
After graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 2000, I spent some time painting scenery for the theater, working in visual merchandising with Saks Fifth Avenue and creating art experiences and hands-on workshops for community members. I also taught drawing, painting and photography programming to youth experiencing housing insecurity, which is what opened the door for me to become more involved in mental health advocacy and treatment.
My life and sense of reality shifted to a monumental degree a couple of years ago after experiencing the unexpected death of both of my fathers within 10 months of each other. I was floating, dissociated…lots of questions, existential style. In prior years, I had been diagnosed (x2) with melanoma and am currently cancer-free. The combination of living through deaths and the uncertainty of this life…and how long we get to be here…was the impetus for me reconsidering how I spend my minutes, hours and days.
It became apparent that the part of me that is an artist needed nurturing. I began integrating more movement and creativity into my days- swimming, dancing, making. I began training to become a pilates instructor. I also love, love, LOVE to dress up- even when I’m staying home! I embrace play and pretending much more than I prefer living in reality. I very much enjoy going the movies and theater and contemporary dance and going to see music. I want nostalgia, romance and MAGIC. I wish it were Halloween every day! Doing more of all that made me feel alive again, invigorated and inspired.
I often receive compliments and questions about my style and I thought… how fun and cool would it be to share the treasures I find with others! So I began building on my own collection of fantastical, entertaining, bright and bold garments, all thrifted and sourced second hand. Goldspun Threads emerged as a result of my passion for finding spectacular clothes that I could afford, “an exquisite collection of luminous, mood enhancing vintage & second hand modern pieces to ignite your spirit, wardrobe, film or video”. It’s not a business per se, but it is an exhilarating endeavor, a joyful side gig that connects me with the people and energy I want to be around. People who are collaborative, imaginative and FUN! I participate as an exhibitor at local flea markets and pop up solo around Miami.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
I am a Virgo. That in itself says a lot. Ha! I am also someone who experiences an anxiety disorder, issues with attention and focus as well as processing speed. Perfectionism, rigidity, people pleasing and concern about judgement by others are all most certainly areas that I have been intentional about working on for many years of my life. I can be extremely particular and hard on myself. Learning to slow down, let go, to “be here now” and to have self-compassion is the personal work I return to every day. I reframe, I thought challenge, I process, I ask myself if the choices I am making (and especially how I am behaving) are in alignment with what is truly important to me. All of the things I teach others to do, I practice myself. Ultimately the biggest and most meaningful reminder I give myself is that if I am not having fun and enjoying the time I have, what I am making and sharing with others, the meaning and purpose is lost. I don’t want to bring darkness or tension into projects, so I’ve learned to take a break or stop altogether when I feel that energy is present. I have learned that I don’t have to do everything all on my own- I can ask for help, which is not an easy feat for me, but I do it. And I have abandoned completely the self-imposed concept that I “should” pick only one thing and do it exceptionally well. That’s definitely something that has held me back historically in my career and other creative endeavors. If you are taking healthy risks and putting your soul into it, something sensational will happen at some point, with patience!
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
Goldspun Threads is a therapeutic intervention for me, so it’s primarily selfish. Ha! I am truly here for the process, to have fun and I want others to get excited…to be wowed when they see the colors and textures and patterns. And I really enjoy selecting music to accompany the images, like making a mixtape. I have such a ball and I get a huge serotonin boost hunting for treasures, trying on the clothes and taking pictures on my balcony. It’s hilarious, actually. I’m out there on a tiny, windy balcony, usually with my two dogs underfoot At least once every shoot, the tripod, camera release, sunglasses, my phone or an article of clothing goes ripping through the air and I save it just before it drops 21 floors down. My process is not graceful, but it’s super entertaining!
I want the experience of walking into the market space to feel inspiring, like a tiny art installation for others to enjoy. I am very into the physicality of constructing the set up and breaking it down too. Caring for the garments- mending, replacing buttons, cleaning and steaming is also a pleasure, meditative.
You don’t have to spend a fortune to look radiant and exquisite! I want us all to be able to access affordable and unique pieces that captivate. Buying second hand can allow for that. I’d like to see us all getting dressed up more often because this life is entirely too brief to not seek out every opportunity to feel marvelous and stunning!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @goldspunthreads
