My Lore: From working at SSENSE to writing for Vogue?!
By Ashantéa Austin
I recently had the absolute pleasure of being interviewed for The Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode (FHCM). To be honest, doing this interview made me realize how little I’ve shared about my own career and journey.
Of course, my Instagram is a highlight reel of accolades — like most people's — but I wanted to share the conversation here with you all as well, in a more personal way.
Their Intro:
Canadian by birth and currently based in L.A., Ashantéa Austin is a fashion journalist and historian dedicated to creating resources that explore fashion with honesty and in-depth analysis. Through her articles and video essays, Austin says she “strives to make this ever-evolving industry more accessible, helping people understand how fashion affects them in ways they may have never considered.” Last December, she created an impressive, thoroughly researched infographic titled “THE CREATIVE DIRECTOR(Y)” that noted the movements of creative directors across the industry that should be the go-to resource for understanding the dizzying genealogy of fashion houses. After studying art history at university, Austin’s pivot to fashion began with a role at SSENSE, which led her to contributing to i-D Magazine, The Face, Dazed, ELLE, Vogue Business among other titles. She adds, “Fashion is political, artistic, commercial, and deeply cultural. By exploring pivotal moments in fashion history, I aim to show how the past informs the present and continues to inspire the future.”
— This was incredibly kind of them to write, and honestly, reading it back makes me reflect on how far I’ve come.
To add a little more context: I was born in Toronto, Canada, and raised primarily by a single mother and my grandparents. It was a household where if I got 95% on a test, the sentiment was: “Where did the other 5% go?” — so you can probably imagine why I’m so neurotic now (and yes, I’m a Virgo, if that wasn’t already obvious).
With that said, I also had an incredibly loving and supportive childhood. Maybe I’m oversharing — lol — but it’s the truth. I’ve always loved school, especially English, Drama, and History, and I've always been intensely competitive, sometimes to my own detriment.
Fast forward to university: I attended Carleton University for a double major (Combined Honours) in English and Art History, which honestly shaped so much of how I approach fashion today.
Tell us something surprising about how you got to where you are today.
Maybe that I never studied fashion in any formal sense. I didn’t even care much for clothes, nor did I ever plan on becoming a journalist. It wasn’t until I finished my Art History degree that I discovered Elsa Schiaparelli’s use of trompe l’oeil, then André Leon Talley, and finally, Martin Margiela (in that order).I was completely captivated by how they viewed clothing as art. Their innovative contributions came through disruption and going against the grain. I wanted to learn everything I could about them! And sharing my thoughts and findings online felt like the natural next step. That’s how my career started. If I had let the insecurity of not knowing enough about fashion hold me back, I wouldn’t be where I am today. Never be afraid to try and fail.
—I think what I want people to take away from this is that you don’t have to come from a traditional background to enter fashion. You don’t need to study it formally or have connections in the industry. My curiosity and love of research — paired with a need to understand why things are the way they are — led me here. Hard work pays off and you never know who’s watching!
——
The Pivotal Moment:
It was during the pandemic in 2020 (crazy to think that was five years ago now) that school went online, and I — like so many others — lost my job. Suddenly, I had absolutely no reason to be in Ottawa, and without that sense of purpose, I realized I hated the city. Honestly, I resented it and how complacent I had become there.
That's when I decided to apply for a job at SSENSE, which if you didn’t know, is based in Montreal (2 hours away from Ottawa). I actually posted a video about this forever ago on TikTok — but this job completely changed my life.
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Up until that point, I had never even considered journalism or marketing as a career. But working at SSENSE sparked that passion in me. It gave me a deep understanding of editorial work, storytelling, and strategy in ways I couldn't have learned anywhere else. It’s where I started thinking critically about how fashion is communicated, and how to bridge that gap between industry insiders and everyday people. I truly think I found my calling during my time there.
The experience I gained over my tenure at SSENSE is what set me up for success in every role that followed. And it’s why I always say: everything happens for a reason — even when it feels like everything is falling apart.
A Note on being a “TikToker” (and Doing Things Out of Passion):
A lot of people are surprised to hear this but — I’ve never made a single cent from TikTok. In Canada, we don’t have access to the Creator Fund. Even now that I have relocated to the US I still am not eligible. So every piece of content I’ve ever made comes from a place of genuine passion, curiosity, and a desire to foster a community.
For me, fashion journalism and history should be accessible, and I’ve always wanted to help people see fashion not just as clothes, but as something deeply connected to art, culture, and society.
So to anyone reading this: you don’t need permission to start. You don’t need credentials to be curious.
A final question:
In what ways do you hope to have an impact on fashion this year?
My work sits at the intersection of discovery and education. I strive to make fashion more digestible and accessible. I want to amplify emerging brands, especially designers who are BIPOC, and help people understand how fashion affects them in ways they may have never considered: that fashion is political as much as it is artistic.
A lot of fashion journalism is written for those already “in the know,” leaving no clear entry point for the many people eager to learn. I hope my impact this year is in being a source of discovery for fashion news and a space for those who have a genuine passion for fashion, no matter their level of expertise.
You can read the full FHCM Interview here x
https://www.fhcm.paris/en/news/a-feel-for-fashion-ashantea-austin
Best,
Ash x