Fashion Week Profile: Ashaka Givens

Name/Age: Ashaka Givens, 40

Hometown: Upstate New York

Profession: Fashion and Custom Bridal Designer

Fashion Line:  Ashaka Givens

How did you get into fashion design?

AG: The women in my life, my aunt and my grandmother taught me how to sew when I was 12. My grandmother bought me my first sewing machine. Just watching them, their style influenced how I viewed fashion. They’d say try this hat, this lipstick, and then they’d give me feedback. I love that about women, that sisterly looking out for one another. They always encouraged me to look your best; feel your best.

How would you describe your fashion sensibility?

AG: My fashion sensibility is usually just reflective of what’s going on culturally in the world. Right now, I feel like I’m seeing women taking better care of themselves. I always try to design products that give women comfort and a sense of empowerment. I’m not about pushing the trend. If anything, I push the trend of to be yourself, be confident and be beautiful. The common thread for my look is femininity. And I love prints and color.

Describe your fashion line:

AG: I design mostly for women, a lot of gowns, dresses, jumpsuits, outer wear, skirts, tops, everything really. They’re timeless pieces, chic, elegant... I want to give women pieces they can style to their individual taste. I like to assist women in bringing out the true essence of who she is. It shouldn’t be the woman reflecting the dress; I design my dresses to reflect the woman.

What about Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn inspires you creatively?

AG: Bed-Stuy, I love it so much because of the sense of community, the confidence of the people; they have their own individual way of putting themselves together. There’s a wisdom about the community. But it’s also a vigorously youthful community.

When/Where will you be showing? Will be showing

AG: I won't be showing for this Fashion Week. I’ll be showing in September. I’ve learned my lesson with this weather; it gets too tricky trying to coordinate with models and drag clothing through the snow, it’s too much for me. So I usually have a showcase some time in the spring and then again in the fall.

• To view the Ashaka Givens full collection, go here.
• For Ashaka Givens on Facebook, go here.
• To follow Ashaka Givens on Twitter, go here.

To watch a live streaming of the 2013 Mercedes-Benz Spring Fashion Week, go here.