2009-2011 zamrie press kit
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2009-2011 ZAMRIE Press KitTRANSCRIPT
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Fresh off her stint at the Chicago Fashion Incubator, this
local girl knows a thing or two about high fashion. After working under fashion gods Zac Posen and Peter
Som, designer Ashley Zygmunt has incorporated her sense of comfort and ease into ZAMRIE. Designing a
collection of blouses where practicality and high style directly coexist, Ashley aims to satisfy the diverse
needs of every woman. “I love using lightweight fabrics that grace the body; a classic shape infused with
understated details transitions seamlessly from day to night.” A statement piece in itself, but effortlessly
personalize the look with your own accessories. Versatility is key when looking for comfort and high style-
this can all be found in a ZAMRIE blouse.
Left: 2009 Chicago Fashion Incubator designers Top: Mayor Richard M. Daley and Macy’s announces Tommy Hilfiger as the Master Designer for the Chica-go Fashion Incubator at Macy’s on State.
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• CFIPopUpShop,900NorthShops,BESTSELLER
•DesignerinChicagoFASHIONFOCUS,October2009
•OneofSIXchosendesignersfor the2009CFIClass
Above: Ashley being interviewed for the Fashion Focus Chicago Fashion Show
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TCW Magazine : Featruing Ashley in Fashion EventsJuly 2011
Factio Magazine July 2011
CS Magazine June 2011
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CS Magazine April 2011
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May 2, 2011
Crain’s Chicago BusinessMay 2, 2011
Today’s Chicago Woman April 2011
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Front Desk Magazine April 2011
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Time Out ChicagoApril 16, 2010
Women’s Wear DailyApril 20, 2010
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TURN Magazine September 2010
Chicago Sun Times February 17, 2009
“I’d like to see Chicago become an established fash-ion mecca, and for myself, I’d like to have this be the start of building a fashion empire. ”
-Ashley ZygmuntChicago Sun Times Article
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ME: In Focus September 2010
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By Ken [email protected]
Ashley Zygmunt said herfascination with fashion sur-faced early on in her Hinsdalechildhood.
“One year I was on theHinsdale (Community Pool)swim team, but I only did itbecause I liked the swim-suits,” she said.
Now living in Chicago, the2004 Hinsdale Central gradu-ate made a splash last yearwith the launch of her cloth-ing line, Zamrie.
An intuitive observer ofpeople’s choice of dress,Zygmunt was influenced bythe styles she saw in herhometown as a youth. Shesaid the village helped nudgethe direction of her designs.
“I think Hinsdale dressedmore conservatively, and itmade me want to go out ofthe box and try differentthings,” she said. “I’ve alwayswanted to be different.”
When Zygmunt was a jun-ior at Central, she enrolled ina pattern-making classoffered at the School of theArt Institute downtown to seeif she was truly cut out for thefashion field.
“I loved it. It was complete-ly worth it to me. I couldn’tsew, so my friend sewed it forme. But I patterned it.”
She went on to studyapparel design at PurdueUniversity — where she alsotaught herself to sew — andparticipated in exchange pro-grams in Florence, Italy, andHong Kong.
Zygmunt credits the well-rounded curriculum hermajor required for giving hera strong foundation to navi-gate the fickle fashion indus-try.
“In the design program,
you also have to takeaccounting, science, math,and marketing so you knowthe business side as well,”Zygmunt explained. “I want-ed to make sure I had anothercareer option.”
A summer internship inNew York with designer ZacPosen exposed her to thehigh-end fashion world, andshe returned to the Big Appleafter graduating from Purduein 2008 to work alongsidedesigner Peter Som.
She gained valuable experi-ence as a freelancer designingfor a Wal-Mart clothing lineand Just My Size. ButZygmunt’s heart had neverstrayed far from the Midwest,and she was eager to spreadher wings in home territory.
“I just wasn’t feeling like Iwas using my creative energy,and I missed my family andfriends,” she said. “I knew Ialways wanted to have myown label in Chicago.”
During a wistful phone callback home in November2009, Zygmunt’s mom, Becky,mentioned the ChicagoFashion Incubator, a compe-tition co-sponsored by thecity and Macy’s to spotlightpromising young designers.
With the deadline for entryjust a few days away, shescrambled to get submit herapplication.
“I somehow got it there intime. Two weeks later I got acall for an interview. Twoweeks after that, they calledand offered me a spot. So, lit-erally, my life changed withina month.”
The six winners were givenwork space, mentoring and
other resources to help gettheir fashion lines estab-lished.
Zygmunt already had beenplying her craft under thename Zamrie, an anagram ofher last initial and middlename, Marie. She said theincubator experience helpedtailor her attention towomen’s tops that suit anyoccasion.
“We focus in blouses now.You can wear them with apair of ripped up jeans butstill be classy — somethingthat makes you take a doubletake. I’ve always believed inversatility.”
She spent all of 2009 devel-oping a collection and beganfilling orders in January. FourChicago area boutiques carryher clothes, and Zygmuntsaid there could be as manyas eight locations by the fall.
Recently, while havinglunch before a meeting with aprospective buyer, Zygmuntwas approached by anotheradmiring proprietor.
“She said ‘I love yourblouse. Can I get some for myshop?’ ”
When told that Zygmunt
may be selling to a rival, thewoman said she would carryher line if that deal fellthrough. She’s never seen herwork pop up in public but hasreceived reports from thosewho have, often with the half-joking, half-encouragingexclamation “Zamrie iseverywhere!”
“You never know whoyou’re sitting next to. Rightnow, the most rewardingthing is getting into more andmore boutiques or havingrandom people complimentme.”
Zygmunt said being one’sown boss means takingresponsibility for every aspectof the business. Learning tobe patient for results over thelast year has been a chal-lenge, she said, but it alsodeepened her sense of grati-tude for the success she’senjoying.
“Having your own business,you’ll have the highest ofhighs and the lowest of lows.You have to be willing to dothe dirty work to do the goodwork. It’s the small things thatpeople notice.”
One of the new vendors in
autumn will be Schoen’s inHinsdale, which Zygmuntsaid will be a sweet home-coming.
“I’m really excited to besold in Hinsdale. I’m actuallypretty proud of it. I’m excitedto dress Hinsdale women.”
Zygmunt longs for the daywhen her line is known byfashionistas and available indepartment stores. She saidher friends from high school,many of whom she is stillclose to, are not surprised byher chosen livelihood.
But it may not fully sink infor Zygmunt until a Zamrie-clad lady happens to crossher path.
“I think I might pass outwhen that happens. Someonewill have to pick me up off theground.”
The Hinsdalean • June 10, 2010 • Page 7
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This Red Devil wears ZamrieHinsdale native, who found her fashion footing as a teen, now has her own clothing line
Looking back
Home: 801 S. Monroe St.Schools: St. Isaac
Jogues, Hinsdale CentralFavorite teachers: Mrs.
McLaughlin in third grade,Mr. Palmquist (English) atCentral
“Mrs. McLaughlin taughtme to think outside of thebox and just go for it. Mr.Palmquist, he pushed mylimits, in a good way.”Friends: Colleen Kelly, KalieLillibridge, Kali Ludwig,Michele Roberts, FlorenceAnn Romano, Caroline Byrne
Favorite spot: Millar’sFoods. “I used to love goingthere to get cheap LaffyTaffy.”
Best childhood memory:“I loved when it snowed at lotand we would always gosledding behind MadisonSchool. I remember the sled-ding hill. It was huge.”
Reason to visit: “To seemy family and some of myfriends who are still living athome. Definitely to see momand dad.”
Hinsdale OROR IGINIGIN ALAL SS
Hinsdale native and rising fashion designer Ashley Zygmuntshows off a piece from her collection, Zamrie. (photocourtesy of Ashley Zygmunt)
“I call it the easy-wear collection. You’re walking around in the morning think-ing ‘What should I wear?’ and you throw on a blouse with your closet staples. You don’t need accessories to make it look good.
”-Ashley Zygmunt
CS Magazine April 2010
CS Magazine article
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Chicago Magazine December Issue 2010
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Chicago Reader March 2010
Chicago Reader September 2010
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Fashion Journal April 20, 2010
Trib Local May 24, 2010
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CS Magazine March 2010
CS Magazine May 2010
Chicago Fashion ResourceSeptember 10, 2010
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Refinery29August 28, 2011
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NBC Chicago August 25, 2011
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Daily Front RowAugust 25, 2011
Secnd CityJuly 4, 2011
Explore ChicagoJuly 2011 Z A M R I E
Refinery29July 10, 2011
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Mrs. Windy CityJuly 11, 2011
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Garmental-ChicagoJuly 8, 2011O
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CBS Chicago: Feature on ZAMRIE Summer Blow-Out SaleJuly, 2011
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A Chic DirectionJuly 3, 2011
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ABC Chicago: Feature on ZAMRIE Summer Blow-Out SaleJuly, 2011
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Style ChicagoJuly 2011
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Chciago Magazine : Sales CheckDecember 10, 2010
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NBC ChicagoSeptember 2010
“I’d rather have a closet where I can mix and match things. Whether it be short or long, you can add tights or boots or wear it with heels. It is all about being diferent when you go to that holiday party, and you can even wear the same shirt twice and style it different ways.”
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Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center’s Stitches Newsletter
September 2010
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Sound CloudSpeaking of FashionGuest Spotlight: ZAMRIEApril 2011
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Glossed & Found-SpotlightApril 2011
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The Feast ArticleFeb 7, 2011
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TimeOutApril 8, 2011
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Joonbug ArticleMarch 21, 2011
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JEALOUS InterviewApril 28, 2011
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The Style Tribe April 11, 2011
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The Epoch TimesApril 3, 2011
May 15th, 2011
Catching Up With The Bowtie…
The Bowtie MemoirsMay 15, 2011
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Refinery29 ArticleApril 6, 2011
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Chicago 3 MediaApril 18, 2011
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Article in FRAYApril 13, 2011
“Ashley Zygmunt’s Lineof Tops is Turning Heads.”
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BizBash ChicagoMarch 31,2010O
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Examiner.com Chicago July 29, 2010
“Fashion is like your favorite pair of jeans, and should make you feel comfortable, sexy and confident.
-Ashley Zygmunt”
Examiner.com article
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Garmental.comLook of the Day 08/26/10
Garmental.comLook of the Day 08/23/10
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Garmental.comLook of the Day 08/13/10
Garmental.comLook of the Day 05/28/10
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Style ChicagoAugust 2010
Style Chicago
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Lucky Magazine July 15, 2010
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Style Admirer ChicagoMay 24, 2010
Style Admirer Chicago April 19, 2010
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Chicago Fashion ResourceApril 5, 2010
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BoutiquevilleMarch 25, 2010
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Trendy MagazineToday’s Chicago Woman
April 16, 2010
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Second City Style
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Explore ChicagoApril 18, 2010 Z A M R I E
Style Admirer ChicagoApril 4, 2010
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Vimeo-Zamerie S/S 2010 Fashion FilmSpring 2010 Z A M R I E
Factio MagazineMarch 27, 2010
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Violet RevolutionMarch 19, 2010
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Vimeo-Zamerie F/W 2010 PreviewFall 2010
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DripBook- Featuring Zamrie S/F 2010 VideoAprile 2010
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The Clothes WhoreNovermber 13, 2009
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QlixOctober 20, 2009
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Second City StyleOctober 7, 2009
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Second City Style- Shop ChicagoOctober 7, 2009
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Little Designer BookOcotober 27, 2009
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Fashion Focus ChicagoCtober 22, 2009
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MyPoshJeans- Fashion FocusCtober 264 2009
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ChicagoiistCtober 26, 2009 Z A M R I E
Fame Game-Featuring Zamrie CollectionOctober 22, 2009
Exposay- Entertainment & FashionOctober 22, 2009O
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SWCIU TV ChicagoMarch 23, 2011
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Good Day Chicago on Fox News
Cece & Melinda of Raymi Productions wearing ZAMRIE on FOX!
Designer Ashley Zygmunt on abc Channel 7
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Good Day DuPaul Interview
Fashion Focus Chicago Fashion show for the six Fashion Incubator designers
Make a Wish: Jeans for Wishes Fashion Show
Modern Vintage Chicago Show
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Born and raised in the Chicago-land area,
Ashley Zygmunt pursued her interest in
fashion at Purdue University in the Apparel
Design and Technology program. After
spending a summer studying fashion in Flor-
ence, Ashley then went on to become the
first student in her program to study abroad
at Hong Kong’s Polytechnic University. Next
on her list of priorities was an internship with
one of New York’s most prominent fashion
designers, Zac Posen. After graduating in
May 2008, Ashley continued to work in high
fashion with Peter Som, gaining experience
not only in design and production, but also
at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week for two
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Contact Information
Phone: (630) 253 0342
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.zamrie.com
consecutive years. Soon after, she decided
to take her talents to the corporate world
of design and freelanced for Li and Fung
USA in the Oxford collections division of the
company. There, Ashley helped with Norma
Kamali for Wal-Mart, Just My Size (a plus-
sized label), and White Stag Fast Fashion (a
high-style mass marketed label).
As one of six chosen designers of the Chi-
cago Fashion Incubator 2009, a promising
program sponsored by Macy’s and the City
of Chicago, Ashley has had the opportu-
nity to start her own label, ZAMRIE. Offering
a collection of beautifully tailored blouses,
Ashley aims to offer women the couture of
the runway in their everyday lives. ZAMRIE
tops can be mixed and matched, dressed
up or down, and shared by women of all
ages. Just as the smallest acts of kindness
don’t go unnoticed, the refined details in
our garments allow the ZAMRIE woman to
exude confidence in her timeless, yet in-
triguing wardrobe.