Ashley Ciriaco is the founder and designer of CIRIACO, a Bronx-based brand that launched with a single handbag in 2020 and has since grown into a full line (with over 70k Instagram followers, and shelf space in retailers like Kith and Atmos). CIRIACO’s vibrant hues, futuristic shapes, and unexpected hardware have garnered a cult following and bucketlist press coverage in just three years, fueled by Ashley’s 100% self-taught design method. Lucky for us, Ashley had a few minutes to tell us what she’s up to.
Name: Ashley Ciriaco
Age: 23
Zodiac Sign: Pisces
Where are you from, and where are you right now?
I’m from Atlanta, Georgia, and currently living in The Bronx
What’s your first memory with streetwear?
My first memory with streetwear is when my mom bought me my first Nike Shox and gave me her old varsity jackets from the 90’s. She showed me her old outfits and I would try to recreate them, wearing a full denim or leather outfit.
If you had to compress your personal style into one outfit, what would it be?
My cartoon character would be wearing cargos, an oversized t-shirt and sneakers, with jeweled long nails, hoop crystal earrings and knotless box braids.
You can only wear three shoes for the rest of your life — what are they?
Nike air max 97’s silver bullets, Nike air max skepta tailwind and, Asics kiko kostadinov x hysteric
Streetwear style icon: Rihanna
Your last (or favorite) Instagram follow: My last instagram follow was @r2unbothered and my favorite is @badgalriri
What’s your biggest creative or career milestone so far?
I started my brand in 2020 and in 2022 I was able to branch off, having two retailers carry my brand: Kith and Atmos USA
What’s your biggest creative or career goal right now?
My biggest creative or career goal right now is to collab with some designers like Antoine Manning, or expand more into clothing.
What’s your dream collaboration?
My dream collaboration is definitely Rihanna herself or Christian Dior.
What are you currently working on?
More jewelry and shoes!
When do you feel the most empowered?
I feel most empowered while I'm creating my design, making it come to life and executing it exactly how I imagined it’ll be.
What needs to change about the current streetwear landscape, to make it more inclusive?
Less trends, more personality. I feel like people are just wearing what they see gets likes or comments instead of wearing clothes that make them themselves, and own it.
What woman in streetwear/sneaker history would you like to see get her flowers?
Aleali May and Yoon Ambush