Style as Art: A Q&A with Ash Hart
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Captured on film for Stephanie Gumpel’s ‘Zine,’ Ash Hart reflects on her unique relationship with style, motherhood, and the art of self-expression. This Q&A dives deep into the philosophy and creativity behind her approach to fashion.
What Does Style Mean to You?
“Style, to me, isn’t just about putting on clothes every day. It’s an intimate form of self-expression—reflecting my mood, my emotions, and even the essence of my soul. It’s about aligning the energy of my day—whether bold, colorful, and uplifting, or edgy, strong, and introspective—with the context of where I’m going.
For me, it’s an artistic process: blending my emotions, the surroundings, and a sense of creative expression into something unique each day. In that way, style becomes my daily act of art.”
How Would You Describe Your Style?
“My style is timeless—it doesn’t rely on fleeting trends but instead reflects what feels good and aligned with myself and my environment. At its core, my unique expression is all about balancing masculine and feminine elements.
For example, I might pair baggy jeans and an oversized tee with a chic high heel and delicate jewelry, or take a flowing bohemian dress and ground it with Converse sneakers. This balance keeps my style authentic and cool, with just the right mix of elegance and edge.”
Who or What Inspires Your Style Today?
“My style inspiration today comes from within rather than outside influences. Over time, I’ve moved away from looking outward—to trends or even my older sister, who was an early influence—and instead cultivated a relationship with myself. My style is now a reflection of where I’m at in life, my emotions, and my personal growth. It’s about honoring and adorning all parts of myself, expressing my internal world through what I wear.
That said, I also love pulling inspiration from specific environments, like a red carpet event or a festival like Burning Man. In those moments, I feel into the energy of the space and align my expression to create something that feels exciting and connected to the occasion.”
How Has Your Style Changed Most Recently?
“My style has shifted significantly since becoming a mother. These days, practicality is at the forefront—I’m dressing for a life that involves being on the floor with my little one, going down slides at the playground, or cleaning up food spills. I’ve let go of the attachment to keeping clothing pristine, prioritizing pieces that can handle frequent washing and a bit of mess.
Comfort has also become key. My body feels softer now, and I gravitate towards clothes that let me move freely, with less focus on clinging silhouettes or showing off my shape. This phase of my life feels like a season, and I’m fully embracing it. You can see it in the photos here—wearing a tracksuit with a baseball cap, cool Doc Martens, and a handful of rings. It’s not polished in a traditional sense, but it’s exactly what I need: comfortable, practical, and still reflective of my personal style.
That said, there was a grieving process at first. Getting dressed every day used to be such a creative expression of self—a big part of who I was and how I identified. Losing the time to even think about what to wear felt like letting go of a piece of myself. But as I’ve settled into this season of motherhood, I’ve found a new kind of joy and creativity in dressing for this chapter of my life—and doing so as quickly as possible!”
When You See Something You Like, What Makes It Worth Adding to Your Closet?
“When I’m looking for items, it almost transcends the mind—it feels like a sixth sense guiding me. For example, when I walk into a thrift shop, it’s like something is moving through me, drawing me to specific pieces. I always joke that I have a black belt in secondhand and vintage shopping because I can walk into the biggest ‘pile of trash’ and, within moments, uncover the most amazing treasures.
Often, it’s a pattern, shape, or color that catches my eye, almost as if it’s calling to me. There’s an instinctive pull toward pieces that feel special, unique, or aligned with my style.
When it comes to styling myself or others, or even shopping, it really is a spiritual experience—the most tangible expression of creativity moving through me. It’s truly one of my favorite things to do in life.”
Explore More
Want to see this philosophy in action? Check out @goldenpossessions on Instagram to see Ash’s latest finds, styling tips, and pieces available in her collection.
What Does Style Mean to You?
“Style, to me, isn’t just about putting on clothes every day. It’s an intimate form of self-expression—reflecting my mood, my emotions, and even the essence of my soul. It’s about aligning the energy of my day—whether bold, colorful, and uplifting, or edgy, strong, and introspective—with the context of where I’m going.
For me, it’s an artistic process: blending my emotions, the surroundings, and a sense of creative expression into something unique each day. In that way, style becomes my daily act of art.”
How Would You Describe Your Style?
“My style is timeless—it doesn’t rely on fleeting trends but instead reflects what feels good and aligned with myself and my environment. At its core, my unique expression is all about balancing masculine and feminine elements.
For example, I might pair baggy jeans and an oversized tee with a chic high heel and delicate jewelry, or take a flowing bohemian dress and ground it with Converse sneakers. This balance keeps my style authentic and cool, with just the right mix of elegance and edge.”
Who or What Inspires Your Style Today?
“My style inspiration today comes from within rather than outside influences. Over time, I’ve moved away from looking outward—to trends or even my older sister, who was an early influence—and instead cultivated a relationship with myself. My style is now a reflection of where I’m at in life, my emotions, and my personal growth. It’s about honoring and adorning all parts of myself, expressing my internal world through what I wear.
That said, I also love pulling inspiration from specific environments, like a red carpet event or a festival like Burning Man. In those moments, I feel into the energy of the space and align my expression to create something that feels exciting and connected to the occasion.”
How Has Your Style Changed Most Recently?
“My style has shifted significantly since becoming a mother. These days, practicality is at the forefront—I’m dressing for a life that involves being on the floor with my little one, going down slides at the playground, or cleaning up food spills. I’ve let go of the attachment to keeping clothing pristine, prioritizing pieces that can handle frequent washing and a bit of mess.
Comfort has also become key. My body feels softer now, and I gravitate towards clothes that let me move freely, with less focus on clinging silhouettes or showing off my shape. This phase of my life feels like a season, and I’m fully embracing it. You can see it in the photos here—wearing a tracksuit with a baseball cap, cool Doc Martens, and a handful of rings. It’s not polished in a traditional sense, but it’s exactly what I need: comfortable, practical, and still reflective of my personal style.
That said, there was a grieving process at first. Getting dressed every day used to be such a creative expression of self—a big part of who I was and how I identified. Losing the time to even think about what to wear felt like letting go of a piece of myself. But as I’ve settled into this season of motherhood, I’ve found a new kind of joy and creativity in dressing for this chapter of my life—and doing so as quickly as possible!”
When You See Something You Like, What Makes It Worth Adding to Your Closet?
“When I’m looking for items, it almost transcends the mind—it feels like a sixth sense guiding me. For example, when I walk into a thrift shop, it’s like something is moving through me, drawing me to specific pieces. I always joke that I have a black belt in secondhand and vintage shopping because I can walk into the biggest ‘pile of trash’ and, within moments, uncover the most amazing treasures.
Often, it’s a pattern, shape, or color that catches my eye, almost as if it’s calling to me. There’s an instinctive pull toward pieces that feel special, unique, or aligned with my style.
When it comes to styling myself or others, or even shopping, it really is a spiritual experience—the most tangible expression of creativity moving through me. It’s truly one of my favorite things to do in life.”
Explore More
Want to see this philosophy in action? Check out @goldenpossessions on Instagram to see Ash’s latest finds, styling tips, and pieces available in her collection.