You may have noticed that Kelsey Ashley’s Beyond Measure brand went dark after January of this year as she temporarily stepped away from the brand. During her first fashion show, Kelsey Ashley relaunched her Beyond Measure brand by unveiling the “Beyond Limit” capsule collection. Taking a break, Ashley expressed herself creatively through sketching and drawing, ultimately creating what would pose as her brand’s relaunch and following extensive collection.During her first fashion show,
Going truly “beyond” fashion and clothes, this collection is perhaps Kelsey Ashley’s most personal one yet. The Brooklyn-bred and Orlando-raised celebrity stylist held a private screening of her digital show on Sunday, October 10th, with guests including social media personality Blame It on Kway, hairstylist Tokyo Styles, rapper Lady London, and more. Additionally, the 8-piece collection was modeled by other familiar faces such as Dreezy, Ashley’s client, and R&B singer Keyshia Cole. Known for her distinctive tone aesthetic, which usually includes head-turning corsets, Ashley made her unique style available to her customers and fans. Ultimately, the Beyond Limit collection brings Kelsey Ashley and her keen fashion eye straight to your closet.
She shares: “As a wardrobe stylist and fashion influencer, many people contact me with styling inquiries. I have pieces they can purchase that reflects my style, so the Kelsey Ashley experience is always there for them.” The pieces of the Beyond Limit collection include a corset, jeans, pantyhose, leather harness, two t-shirts, and two bodysuits, each with its name and story to tell. For example, the “Alignment” jeans convey walking in one’s alignment and purpose in life. Based on its safety pin details, the “Safety” corset symbolizes security in yourself. The 3D bodysuit receives the name “Shape” as it is meant to show the wearer that they are beyond the shape of their body and what society deems as “perfect”.
Ashley also named products for last drops, e.g., “Beyond Gifted” and “Beyond Bare”. With the latest collection, she dropped the “beyond” as it is meant to be imagined and inferred by viewers. Whether you take it as an affirmation or aspiration, Kelsey Ashley wanted to ensure “people feel like they were walking in their purpose when they wear these clothes”.
She expresses: “Beyond Measure has a deeper meaning. It’s not just about clothes for me. When I first started Beyond Measure, it was a non-profit. As a wardrobe stylist, I clean out my clients’ closets with no direct cause to give the clothing back. I wanted to create an avenue where I give back to the lower-income communities and schools.“ With such an ultra-chic collection, we had to ask for Kelsey Ashley’s favorite pieces. She named the “Safety” corset, “Distinct” corset denim underwear, and “Transparency” pantyhose as her top three faves but labeled the entire collection as her “baby”.
Of course, the corset was a no-brainer as her number-one choice. She describes the piece in detail, “My main thing is its versatility. The sleeves are detachable and attached by safety pins to the corset. It is like a three-in-one piece. You can wear it with the sleeves, one sleeve, sleeves hanging, or without. I wanted it to be versatile as it is the only corset I’m selling. I wanted to give a piece that can give many looks. So, the corset means a lot to me.”
It is no secret that the corset has become a signature piece of Ashley’s, used while styling clients and for her personal style moments. So when it came to the relaunch, she wanted to stay true to the special piece. When asked what makes the corset that “it” piece, she says: “I love the Victorian and old Renaissance vibes it gives. I’m dramatic in the way I dress. I wanted a piece that could give a dramatic feel to the corset (referring to her collection’s corset piece). I love corsets because they mold a woman’s body shape and give you the structure you desire.”
On rebranding, she details, “The process was very long. I started designing this specific collection in February, but of course, these have been ideas on my mind and heart for years. With this particular collection, I took a completely different direction from when I first started the brand. I wanted to sell corsets because that’s my signature as a stylist and fashion influencer. I felt like my brand wasn’t true to the aesthetic I bring to the table, so I decided to rebrand and take that back. Once I started, it was inspiring.“
Kelsey Ashley wraps up our interview by expressing what Fashion Bomb Daily means to her as a fashion professional: “Fashion Bomb Daily is a critical platform to me. At Howard University, I found my style and became confident enough to enter the fashion industry. Fashion Bomb Daily was an Instagram platform I saw every morning. I couldn’t afford half the things, but the platform inspired me.
I don’t follow those blogs that are messy with drama. Fashion Bomb Daily is a platform that spreads fashion. It’s not a toxic platform. It’s an outlet for us, fashion girls, to be able to go to. As a wardrobe stylist, I definitely appreciate Fashion Bomb Daily as it has definitely helped me. It has helped grow my platform as my work has been shared up there before. Fashion Bomb Daily is a staple platform in our industry that we need. You can now shop Beyond Measure’s “Beyond Limit” collection on byondmeasure.com and experience the fashion show on YouTube.
