PLUS MODEL MAGAZINE March 2015 Issue | Page 66

brand that was born in neighborhoods across were born from collaboration dialogue with the country,” he says. To this end, the approach store associates, customers and bloggers. is very community-centered. This includes Customers are encouraged to use the hashtag having events in-store such as the national #IAMASHLEY on social media to show their #LoveYourCurves tour which launched in love and support for their favorite brand. with community-based organizations and talking directly to the customer via strong social media campaigns that encourage her to show off her style and be confident about who plusmodelmag.com 03.15 #plusmodelmag inspiration + style she is. Recently, the company funded two scholarships “ “ January, being involved in charity initiatives James and I have a shared history and a relationship built on trust. I was enthusiastic about partnering with him and investing in the reinvention of the brand. Steve Chang, Co-Founding Partner of Clearlake Capital for the United Negro College Fund to be given to rising female stars who are juniors and seniors The Ashley team has turned the company into in college. All 89 stores were empowered to an innovative start-up with multi-channel each give $250 to the local charity of their distribution and global growth ambitions. With choice in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. its new positioning, the Ashley Stewart brand is being actively sought after as a distribution and The company is focused on staying connected marketing partner by other related consumer- to the extremely loyal Ashley Stewart customer. retail companies intrigued by its authenticity, The recent successful launches of plus size distinctive fashion point of view and growing SM lingerie (#daretobare ) and Ashley TV™ media capabilities. The company has become