Student Profiles
Kelsey Ashe Marshall
Designer / Director, ASHE Boutique
Bachelor of Arts (Visual Art) Honours
I transferred to Curtin from Deakin University in Melbourne as the Curtin Department of Art ran a comprehensive textiles course – this is what really caught my attention. Also the promise of the long white beaches in Perth really appealed!
Ashe Collection image
My time at Curtin was absolutely the best time of my life. Surrounded by creative people and the supportive environment the course gave me; I have very fond memories of that period. Graduating with Honours was the highlight as it culminated four years of learning. I was lucky to have a great group of friends throughout my course which made every day enjoyable – we are still close friends today.
My textiles needed a platform so I decided to try Fashion. I completed a one-year business course with another Honours graduate, Cara Rataczjack, whilst putting a fashion range ‘MAKE’ together. We had immediate success and were selling our product in six stores and two states within six months! Our designs were put on the front page of Western Australia’s SCOOP magazine and this really opened some doors for us. MAKE was a one-year project and a big learning curve.
Ashe Perth Fashion Festival Collection
From there I worked for the fashion house Empire Rose as a textile designer for two years and learnt the ‘fashion’ side of the business. Empire Rose supported me in 2003 to start my own label ASHE and from there it has grown steadily. I now regularly exhibit my textile based fashion at Perth Fashion Festival and have been showcased at Melbourne Fashion Week.
My first retail store opened in Fremantle in 2007 – ASHE Emporium.
Without a doubt my degree helped me in my career path. I would certainly not be where I am today without the rigorous training I received at Curtin University. My technical and lateral thinking skills all come from my art school days!
I would absolutely recommend the degree to others, and I do all the time – I often have students ask me questions regarding their career and I say: “Go to Curtin University – you will get a thorough education that challenges you and ultimately leads you to great things”.
