ComplexCon 2024 Brand to Watch

“I always knew I wanted to be a fashion designer,” says Ashley Ciriaco, the 25-year-old founder behind her namesake accessories label.

Founded in 2020, the Bronx-based brand offers shoes and bags for confident individuals who have something to say. Ashley describes her consumers as uniquely versatile, known to make a statement on any occasion, whether it’s in casual streetwear or dolled-up, night-out attire.

Intentional about keeping her products accessible, Ashley prices the majority of Ciriaco items around the $200 range, with the most expensive listed at $450. The current selection includes over-the-shoulder bags in a slew of muted and bright tones, metallic purse-shaped earrings, and abstract wedge pumps. With placements in retailers such as Atmos and Kith, recognition from the CFDA, and endorsements from industry starlets including Jourdan Dunn and Chloe Bailey, Ciriaco has cemented itself as one of the industry’s most exciting new accessories brands.

Ashley is moved by the way personality can shine through fashion choices, and wants her products to instill her patrons with confidence. “I want you to see it from a mile away, like, ‘Oh, she’s wearing Ciriaco,’” she says.

Growing up between Atlanta and the Bronx gave Ashley a vast well of inspiration to dip into. The bright palette featured on a number of her bags is a nod to her Atlanta roots, where she says pops of color are a part of Southern tradition. Functionality is kept at the forefront as a response to the chaos of New York City. Her bags have plenty of storage compartments, and their sturdy, angular shape prevents them from sliding off when sported over the shoulder. The idea is to make dynamic pieces with the utility of everyday wear. Ashley also looks to classic TV shows such as Sex and the City for inspiration, to understand what makes something modern and timeless.

Getting her brand off the ground didn’t come without its challenges. Ashley recalls a moment in the early stages of Ciriaco where she was a few hundred dollars short of the necessary production costs to create her first bag prototype. But it all clicked for her when her best friend Nia gave her the money—that was the spark she needed to keep going. “Someone believed in me when no one else did. That made me say, ‘I can do it,” says Ashley.

From there, Ashley created 15 bags in various shapes and colorways and posted them on X, and her photos went viral. She’s been expanding Ciriaco ever since.

NYC and the UK are her biggest markets, with Los Angeles showing potential as an area for growth in the near future. Customers have shared how wearing the bag forged connections between them and others who love her designs. Her first 15 bags look quite different from the ones in circulation now, as she made changes in strap lengths and shapes based on consumer feedback, and added her “Ciriaco” logo branding across all styles.

“People still keep [the original designs] as an heirloom. It’s been fun overall,” says Ashley of her evolution. “It’s tedious and takes a while, because I want it to be perfect.”

Last year, a spontaneous, split decision resulted in a genius new product idea. During a shoot with a model wearing a see-through mesh bra, Ashley ripped off one of her “C” logo zippers to help cover her nipples, which unintentionally caught audiences’ eyes. Thanks to this, Ashley hopes to add apparel and intimates to her product offering down the line. Details like these are one of her favorite parts of the creative process, and it is this inventiveness that keeps her fans intrigued.

For ComplexCon, Ciriaco will unveil exclusive colorways in the original Ashley bag featuring desert tones and textures nodding to Las Vegas, host of this year’s event. The brand will also debut bomber jackets in time for winter, in multiple warm-toned hues. Her soon-to-be unveiled sartorial additions make Ciriaco a brand to watch out for.

“I’m still in shock,” Ashley says. “I’m blessed. It’s pressure at times, but I’m very grateful for it. I’m taking my time with it for longevity.”