Alumni

Fashion Design Alumna Ashley Porter Featured in New Orleans Magazine

New Orleans magazine features jewelry and accessory designer and FIDM Fashion Design Graduate Ashley Porter's New Orleans home in their May issue. 

“I’m trained as a designer and artist,” she told the magazine. “The process of designing a piece of jewelry is the same in structure as the process of designing a house. I’m inspired by the materials first. Let them speak to you and tell you what they want to do and do best and then bring in the design concept and application.”

Her newly renovated 1906 raised shotgun-style house she shares with her husband and fellow designer, Martin Holly, is "a place where rustic, West Coast and historic New Orleans meet with effortless ease," according to New Orleans. A fan of flea market shopping, Ashley mixed in finds such as an artist’s cabinet for storing prints, a church mirror, and an antique door from Indonesia.

The California native, who is GIA-certified and holds a Master's Degree in Finance from Tulane University, briefly worked for Ralph Lauren and Balenciaga in New York after graduating from FIDM in 2011, but decided to return to New Orleans to launch her own jewelry and accessory business, Porter Lyons, in 2012. 

The line, which now has two brick and mortar stores and a popular online shop, pays tribute to her family heritage in New Orleans, which dates back to the early 1860s. Each of Ashley's collections are inspired by a particular culture, and part of the proceeds benefit a cause working to conserve that culture's identity. She's known for designing ID bracelets, snake bangles, statement cuffs, and evil eye protector rings, as well as bridal jewelry. 

Learn more at porterlyons.com

 

 

 

 

Categories:  Fashion Design Alumni