Picture: GOTHAM/GC IMAGES
FROM the South East to the red carpet, an intricate handmade crown by Mount Gambier designer Ashlee Kalantarian appeared on international recording artist Kesha at a Grammy Awards after-party this week.
Following her emotional and powerful performance at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards, Kesha stepped out in a custom red gown and the unique flower crown to attend the Sony Music Entertainment Grammy after-party.
The Grammy nominee made tabloid and fashion publication headlines with her flowing, regal, bohemian inspired look which featured the Ashlee Lauren crown.
Ashlee said she was overwhelmed and excited when she received an image of Kesha sporting the crown via text message at around 9pm Monday night.
“It was just crazy, when I saw all of the photographs on Instagram I was just buzzing,” she said.
“I was contacted months before and when I first received the email I thought it was a scam.
“Then I did some research and realised it was the real deal so I pulled together five of my more quirky pieces to send to the stylist, it was really exciting.”
Kesha’s crown was the same Ashlee Lauren piece Mount Gambier’s Kate Hastings wore to the 2018 Scott Group of Companies Mount Gambier Gold Cup in December last year.
Speaking with The Border Watch, celebrity style artist Samantha Burkhart (Sia, Poppy, Kristen Wiig, Shia Labeouf) said she discovered the Ashlee Lauren brand on Instagram.
“I came across Ashlee Lauren Designs on Instagram and knew instantly Kesha would love the brand,” she said.
“Since the Grammys was such an important and special event for her, when I started working on the possible looks I imagined one of the looks could be a crown or tiara as its very aligned with her bohemian taste, but I also loved the idea of her having a beautiful, regal, goddess-type moment on the carpet that reflected all the success and triumph of her latest record Rainbow.”
She said the pieces Ashlee had provided lifted the looks discussed during Kesha’s initial Grammys fitting.
“We tried several of the crowns at our first Grammy fitting and we loved how they elevated the looks and infused them with such a cool vibe,” Samantha said.
“We both loved how magical the crown looked with the red gown and I am so happy we were able to do the entire look for the last red carpet of the night where she went to celebrate having what was undoubtedly the best performance of the night.”
Kesha’s successful music career came to a stand-still in 2014 due to a protracted legal dispute with her former producer who she accused of sexual and emotional abuse.
Now, in the midst of the powerful Times Up Now movement, Kesha took to the Grammys stage alongside a number of female musicians to perform her comeback hit “Praying” (co-written by Australian Ben Ambraham), which many believe was written about her recent experiences.
Samantha said she focused on creating empowering looks for the artist to wear on the industry’s night of nights.
“It really felt like the perfect moment for her to wear a crown and it lifted the look, made it feel magical and slightly ethereal as she really was the queen of the night,” she said.
She said a number of Australian designers were making waves in the United States.
“One of the things I love most about my job is discovering designers from all over the world and then getting to work with all the beautiful things they create,” Samantha said.
“I actually work with and am a huge fan of many Australian designers, Sia is one of my clients and through her I have been able to work with designers such as Romance Was Born, Linda Jackson and Dinosaur Designs.
“We love Aussies and Australian fashion in Los Angeles and I think there’s something about Australian culture that really resonates with our Southern Californian aesthetic.”
Still on a high from the Grammys excitement, Ashlee said it was her dream to delve into this realm of the industry.
“Having a connection with a stylist, especially one like Samantha who has been so sweet and helpful, will help me tap into those A-list events,” she said.
“Now we are busy putting together pieces suitable for events like the Met Gala.”
