February 12, 2019

Meet Ashleigh Jones of UNSPOKENSTYLE in Old Town Pasadena

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashleigh Jones.

Ashleigh, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I created UNSPOKENSTYLE, an artistic platform that highlights my thrifty finds, educates the fashion enthusiasts of the world , advocates for individuality, and pays homage to those special pieces in my wardrobe that have been worth the splurge – those key investment items that I will wear endlessly, over and over again…

I currently live in Old Town Pasadena where I am constantly inspired by this city and all it has to offer. But my journey began years ago, in San Diego – my hometown, where all my fashion dreams and artistic ways came to life. My grandmother bought me a gift one day from a thrift store, I must have been no older than nine years old – my first vintage denim skirt! She maybe paid one dollar for this skirt, I couldn’t believe my eyes! From that day forward, my grandmother would pick me up after school, we would go to the library to check out new books, and then off to the thrift store for another treasure hunt.

Givenchy Blazers, YSL sweaters, Gucci pumps, and Chanel watches, you name it…we found it! We would get lost in these stores for hours! I loved the idea that each piece had a story to tell. We were thrifting way before it became trendy – for me, it has always been a lifestyle. My grandmother and my mother, have instilled the thrifty bourgeois artist that lives inside me. I love them both so much for allowing my art to shine in those moments.

To this day, my grandmother will call me from a thrift store with some amazing find or my mom will call me with the latest fashion must have! I am so grateful for my relationship with them both! I adore my mom and my grandmother for teaching me at a very young age to be expressive, to love myself, and if I am able see myself through the individuality of my wardrobe – my voice would never be silenced.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
In a world that constantly wants you to fit in, standing up and out can be terrifying, and was for a very long time for me. As a queer artist of color myself, I know how important it is for me to use whatever platform I acquire access to to speak on the injustices I’ve seen and experienced, to make the lived experiences of marginalized peoples and communities visible, and to create spaces that allow for historically silenced stories to be heard. I have always been the eclectic individual of the bunch, but my biggest challenge was simply finding my voice. Now that I have created an impactful space to share my stories and art – I understand that I am capable of utilizing my platform to advocate, inspire, and spread love through my art.

Please tell us about UNSPOKENSTYLE.
Unspokenstyle tells a story about gender and identity through style and grace. A fashion blog highlighting my thrift store/ flea market discoveries and also more investment-worthy/splurge pieces. This is a platform that advocates for the individual, that unique woman you can’t quite understand, and ones ability to be fearless in their own skin. Also, I have recently created a line called MUSE which embodies the idea of constantly being inspired by the human you see in the mirror when you look at yourself. A line of recycled vintage leather jackets I have thrifted over the years! This has become a passion project that is now thriving, I look forward to expanding the brand in the near future. MUSE is all about standing out, making a lasting impression, and being true to who you are – words that will never die in my book and that represent the passion behind UNSPOKENSTYLE.

If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
The truth? I would never want to go back in time and do things differently. No matter what. I would never want to undo my failures, as much as they hurt me. I would never want to unwind the clock and try to skip past the painful moments or try to live a perfect life because it’s my failures that have shaped and molded me the most. Not my successes.

Sure, success is great. It’s an exhilarating feeling to be on top of the world. But that has never defined me. The present is such a gift – how could I ever look back?

Pricing:

Custom Muse Leather Jackets $250

Contact Info:

Website: www.ashleighrebecca.com
Email: [email protected]
Instagram: www.instagram.com/unspokenstyle
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/unspokenstyle/

Image Credit:
Vanessa Acosta, Day Hernandez, Samiere Music

Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.