FOLLOWING a whirlwind experience at New York Fashion Week in September, local designer Ashlee Kalantarian has continued to function on minimal sleep.
In the weeks since her NYFW debut, Ms Kalantarian has been feverishly creating custom headpieces for television stars, Melbourne Cup winners and fashion bloggers.
Bespoke crowns by Ashlee Lauren Designs were in high demand at Melbourne’s spring racing carnival and Ms Kalantarian, who operates out of her Mount Gambier home, worked long days and late nights to fulfil orders.
She spoke to The Border Watch about her trip to the Big Apple and subsequent racing season success.
“New York Fashion Week was an amazing experience and went by way too quick – if we could do it all again we would,” she said.
“I made so many new contacts and networking with Australian designers led to a number of collaborations during the spring racing season.”
“It was a lot of hard work, but it was the right decision – it really elevated the brand.”
Ms Kalantarian arrived in New York City a few days before her runway show.
“We had our models fitted into the lingerie and shoes we had purchased and then we had a couple of days to get ourselves mentally prepared for it,” she said.
“We arrived at the runway the day of and we noticed some of the models’ names had been crossed out and we were told five of the models weren’t coming.
“Five new ones replaced them, but everything fit differently and we had to think on our feet – we managed to get through it, but it was quite crazy.
“After the models walked, I went out and did a very quick wave to the crowd and then I got a little camera shy and ran backstage again.”
On her return to Australia, Ms Kalantarian collected two titles at the prestigious Australian Bridal Industry Awards before hitting the runway again at the Adelaide Fashion Festival.
“We landed and had five days at home before the ABIA awards – I won the best bridal accessories category and best artificial floral design,” she said.
“We were back in Adelaide the following week for fittings and again the week after that for the runway show.
“It was surreal meeting so many South Australian designers who are my idols.
“Paolo Sebastian was there and he is huge and designing for Hollywood, so to be a part of that was amazing.”
Her designs were highly sought after during Melbourne’s spring racing carnival.
“Jessica McNamee from Packed to the Rafters wore one of my crowns, two fashions on the field judges wore my designs and I had seven headpieces worn by the Channel 7 commentators, including jockey Michelle Payne, who won the Melbourne Cup in 2015,” Ms Kalantarian said.
“The band Sheppard, who played on Stakes Day, were wearing Ashlee Lauren Designs – they are really lovely.
“The celebrities’ stylists would contact me and a lot of it was really last minute – I was often up until 2am trying to finish these headpieces.
“Channel 7 contacted me two days before the carnival started, the stylist had dresses picked out and wanted the headpieces to match.”
Ms Kalantarian is taking it all in her stride and said the generosity of the Mount Gambier community had helped her over the line.
“I was frantic on Facebook asking for help and I had locals take my headpieces up to Melbourne on four occasions,” she said.
“Three out of the four times if those people hadn’t delivered the designs for me I would have lost out – I’m really grateful.
“I’ve had a number of custom orders ahead of the Mount Gambier Gold Cup, but I’m working at a slower pace which is nice.
“I didn’t get much sleep during the last few weeks, but I’m making up for it now.”
