Melissa Levy Took Us Backstage at the ASHLYN Show in New York

Vogue Philippines spoke to contributing fashion editor Melissa Levy about how she styled the ASHLYN show in collaboration with South Korean designer and LVMH finalist Ashlynn Park.

“I went to her studio, and we started chatting. We quickly realized we had many mutual friends, so it felt like a natural progression,” says Melissa Levy, reflecting on her relationship with Seoul-born designer Ashlynn Park. Levy was first introduced to Park, a former Yohji Yamamoto designer, when she was named a finalist at the LVMH Prize.

ASHLYN, founded during the pandemic, is a womenswear brand known for its streamlined tailoring and minimalist approach to dimensionality. Ashlynn Park, who earned her Master’s in Fashion Design from Bunka Fashion College, won the prestigious SO-EN Award in 2008. After her time with Yohji Yamamoto, she moved to the United States, where she worked for Alexander Wang and, later, Raf Simons at Calvin Klein 205W39NYC.

Previously, Ashlynn collaborated with a stylist based in London, but as her needs evolved, she sought someone more local, leading to her partnership with Levy. Reflecting on the evolution of her designs, Levy notes that Ashlynn’s earlier collections were “perhaps more conceptual” and emphasized her specialty in pattern-making. For Fall/Winter 2025, Levy’s goal was to present the garments in a way that was “more wearable and approachable,” aiming to appeal to a younger demographic without losing sight of the brand’s loyal client base.

“It was about pushing her codes while ensuring that the collection still felt accessible. I wanted people to look at the pieces and think, ‘I could wear that,’” Levy explains. She sought to create looks that were “relatable” yet sophisticated, keeping in mind that the brand remains independent and targets an international audience. Although Levy didn’t single out one standout outfit, she expressed particular fondness for several pieces, including “the red coat” and the “persimmon trouser shape” that appeared repeatedly throughout the collection. She also highlighted the “compact knitwear with the peplum waistline shape” featured at the beginning of the show as a key favorite.