Alexandria von Bromssen (far right) works on her winning creation during Fashion Feud/ Photo: Daniel NolanAn intimate crowd gathered at Mighty in San Francisco last night for round one of  Fashion Feud, which like an indie-fashion David and Goliath, pitted newcomer Ashton Miyako against recently voted best designer in SF, Alexandria von Bromssen.   And while Alexandria walked away with the round one prize for her fun and flirty mini-skirted style, it was newcomer Ashton whose quick work on a super-wearable maxi dress that caught our eye, so we caught up with her the morning after the show to discuss the event, and where she is headed next.

Ashton Miyako sews under the bright lights/Photo:Daniel Nolan

SW: On your blog it says that you have only been designing for one year, how did you get started?

AM: Well, it actually started when I was a little girl. I grew up in North Pole, Alaska and the only thing I really had to entertain myself cutting up my old clothing and hand sewing them into Barbie Doll fashions. My creativity started forever ago, it just wasn't until recently that I started sewing. However, interestingly enough the sewing aspect of it all started when I was trying to find the perfect hoodie. I couldn't find the one I wanted but I had seen a pattern that I liked on www.burdastyle.com. After countless hours of Craigslist shopping I was on my way to San Mateo to buy my very first sewing machine. The funny thing about that whole process was, I didn't know how to sew. I got my machine home and had just expected it to work. I messed up numerous times and stuck my fingers with way too many needles when I finally concluded that I needed to read the manual. It wasn't long after that I started sewing real outfits.

SW: What made you decide to compete in Fashion Feud?

AM: Owen had sent through a mass email saying that he was looking for models, hair, makeup and designers for a new event coming to San Francisco. When I got the email I laughed because I do all of those things. I model, do hair, do makeup and I design while still trying to learn how to be a photographer. My dream is to become a fashion designer so I figured there was no better opportunity for me to step out of my shell and on to the stage at Mighty. I truly thank him for allowing me that chance to compete as a designer.

SW: How did the actual experience of designing, and sewing with an audience (and a clock ticking down the minutes) differ from what you had imaged it would be like?

SW: Were there any unforeseen glitches, or problems with your sewing and production during the one hour time limit?

AM: For the most part the dress came out as planned. I didn't get to use the straps that I had made because I accidentally sewed one of them inside out. Haha, it was a beginners mistake. In the end the ribbon and the strap that I had sewed correctly came in handy. Oh and when we had ten minutes left my bottom hemline didn't come out straight because I sewed over a folded piece. I may have been the only one who noticed, but at least I can laugh about it today. 

Model Kara Krauss in final look from Ashton Miyako/Photo: Daniel NolanAM:  It's funny to me that I would go up against Alex in a competition of designing when I voted for her and modeled for her in the San Francisco Fashion Awards. She ended up winning 2009's Best San Francisco Fashion Designer. [Whereas] I'm a beginner. . . I have had my designs shot by 2 different photographers but, up until last night my designs had never been seen on the runway.  I felt like there was a lot of pressure on me to perform at a level I had not performed at before. Up until that moment I did not have competition in my designs because no one had seen them. Going up against Alex was scary for me. Hearing the crowd vote for both of us was amazing. I've never had people cheer for me like that. Even though I didn't win, it WAS close and I DID have a fighting chance. It just makes me realize the value of people, relationships and the belief that no matter what I tried my best and left my heart and soul on that stage.