Headwrap Style Spotlight: Ashley Lazarre

Meet Dr. Ashley Lazarre (@_aelle_), This Month’s Style Spotlight!

How would you describe your style?

I grew up with my own personal fashion icon, my mother. I looked forward to her picking me up from school because my friends and teachers always anticipated her fashionable arrival. My mom’s style was not bound by age, culture, or trends, she truly wore what she wanted and how she wanted. As a well-traveled woman, she loved incorporating pieces from her journeys into her wardrobe. She embraced bold prints, striking colors, dramatic silhouettes, and statement accessories, all of which complemented her rich, dark skin tone so beautifully. But what I admired most was her ability to balance that boldness with simplicity. Some days, she would show up just as she was, with no extravagant outfits, and those were often the most striking moments. She carried herself with grace and quiet confidence, which showed me that style isn’t just about clothes, it’s about presence.

While I was just the admirer as a child, she was already shaping my path. She opened a clothing store in Pétion-Ville, Haiti and named it Ashley Boutique after me. The store quickly became a go-to destination for office wear, a date night, prom, weddings, or for any maximalist who loved dressing up like my mom. I didn’t yet know how fashion would fit into my life, but my mother had already made that call long before I did. I also had the unique experience of attending a school in Haiti where we didn’t wear uniforms, unlike most schools in the country. While there were restrictions on what we could wear, we weren’t bound to the same outfit every day, and that gave me a blank canvas to explore my creativity. I began experimenting with color, layering,silhouettes, that was my attempt to make everyday outfits feel fun and expressive. I got in trouble a few times for pushing the boundaries, but those moments helped me define my style and how I want to show up in the world today.

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A post shared by Dr. Ashley E. Lazarre 🇭🇹 (@_aelle_)

Fast forward to my late teens and college years: I studied abroad in South Africa and attended a Sunday braai in Cape Town. It reminded me of a cookout, but the fashion was the foundation of the event. People wore their Sunday best, from bold colors, perfectly tailored pieces, mixed prints, and striking accessories. It wasn’t just about looking good, people showed up with intention to make a statement. I felt like I had finally found my people, especially after feeling out of place in business school back in the States, where I often wore muted blue or grey suits that didn’t reflect who I truly was.

After attending the braii that day in Cape Town, I made a promise to myself that I will always show up boldly, no matter where I am. My mother thought me making a statement can be both being extravagant and simple. And today, I live by that commitment. My style is a reflection of my journey, my culture, my mother’s influence, and the global Black communities that have reminded me, time and time again, that we are our best when we show up as our whole selves.