Sixties Minute

           A wise man once said the past can influence the future. This is more than true for the fashion of Fall 2011. This season it’s all about retro. We’re talking 60’s cuts, bold prints, and southwestern beaded jewelry.

It all starts with a little color. All over the runway, designers are using bright, super-saturated hues. Sunglasses may be needed. Next comes the leather, skirts, that is. Dark hued casual tops paired with a leather skirt, and topped off with a wide belt is a sure way to dress with a little edge. Speaking of edge, get ready for bold graphic stripes. Block-style dress in general is the way to go this season. Use it with a Twiggy inspired dress and flat sandals to give it a modern twist.

With the mod coming back we also have something a bit more earthy. Southwestern knit is back in style. A lot of turquoise beading and fringe vests. Think Native American. These oldies-but-goodies are causing a splash on the runway and with a little planning, and the right accents, you can have your own summer of love.    

 Check out some 60's trends here!

ASHARD RICHLEY 101

It’s that time of the year again, school is back in session. No worries though! ASHARD RICHLEY has a few bags to help brighten your days… Style your books in fashion while carrying them in either of our Ariana or Rachelle totes. Both of these handbags are the perfect size to function as a bag for all of your scholastic needs! Long straps and pockets make the Ariana and the Rachelle easy to tote, organized, and accessible.

Leave that eyesore of a backpack behind and stroll your campus in some of this season’s hottest colors. There’s nothing else to better prepare you to pay attention in class than knowing you look good doing it! Make a statement without even opening your mouth to say one word.

You may even consider a few of our smaller bags, Alarice or Roxanne, to carry your bare essentials in transitioning at the close of your demanding school day!

Have a great school year! 

ASHARD RICHLEY Has Something Up Its Sleeve

ASHARD RICHLEY’S designer, Ashley Burghardt, has recently developed the ASHARD RICHLEY clothing line.  The new apparel premiered on August 11^th at the Dallas Market Center Show in Dallas, and once again at Accessories the Show in Las Vegas, Nevada this past week. 

So far, AR Apparel consists of several flirty but conservative tops, skirts, and dresses.  The focus on this line in particular is on neutral tones; however, it features a hint of an exquisite “painter” pattern, sure to catch anyone’s eye! Consistent with the ASHARD RICHLEY handbags, our apparel is very unique and fashionable with a little bit of edge.  For those of you who are familiar with our handbag collections, this line will probably remind you a lot of our Color Block bags: bold yet sleek!

Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for ASHARD RICHLEY Apparel as well as our new leather bags both online and in stores near you!

ASHARD RICHLEY Exposed

This month has been crazy for ASHARD RICHLEY! We have a lot in store and we’re well on our way to making a substantial presence all around the nation! Last week, we were at Dallas Apparel & Accessories Market and the outcome was absolutely FABULOUS. This week, our designer, Ashley Burghardt has made her way to New York for a venturesome experience in light of the ASHARD RICHLEY brand … and we’ll be sharing more details with you very soon! Next week, August 21-23, we’ll be headed to Accessories The Show in Las Vegas, Nevada in hopes of an equally if not more successful outcome than in Dallas Market.

Let’s not forget ASHARD RICHLEY’s recent promotion in conjunction with Deals That Matter to support Ronald McDonald House! For just $30 you can get a voucher worth $70 to go towards the purchase of your favorite ASHARD RICHLEY handbag, a $40 savings!! Not to mention, 15% of all proceeds go towards good deeds of the Ronald McDonald House. It doesn’t get any better than that!

Headed to Market

ASHARD RICHLEY will be attending Dallas Apparel & Accessories Market this week (August 11-14) to present and premiere its designs amongst various others. If you didn’t already know, this particular event showcases Dallas’ own up and coming fashion and accessories collections. Here, ASHARD RICHLEY gives store buyers the opportunity to view our product up close and personal …experience the quality of our handbags, down to the lining!

Our newly released collection of leather handbags will be on display for all to adore as well as some of our current favorites! ASHARD RICHLEY’s goal is to bring you a unique fashionable experience; therefore we’re always working on new developments. So you shouldn’t be surprised to hear that our designer, Ashley Burghardt, will be unleashing the new line of our sexy and sophisticated apparel!  The apparel line is all made locally in Dallas and constructed from the highest quality fabrics.

Details for Dallas Apparel & Accessories Market:

Dates & Times:

August 11 – August 13, 2011

9:00 AM – 6:00 PM

August 14, 2011

9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Location:

13th Floor, SCENE, Booth 603

Dallas Market Center

2100 Stemmons Freeway

Dallas, TX 75207  

MEET THE NEW LADIES …

As you may know, ASHARD RICHLEY is gung-ho on bringing you fashion, form, AND function through all of its designs. Well, our newest bags are all that & more! As we venture further towards the ultimate potential of our company, ASHARD RICHLEY has begun to recreate some of its current designs and a few new styles in 100% leather, inside and out. That’s right! Let’s meet Riley & Raya…

Riley is one of the all-time favorite clutches designed by ASHARD RICHLEY, and with the added luxury of all genuine leather, anyone carrying this bag is sure to turn heads! Still maintaining the functionality as it did before with the double-stacked pockets opening on either side, you can easily fit all of your necessities with no problem. Riley is perfect for any occasion whether it be a short run to the local market or an elaborate outing with your favorite girls, in Nude, this clutch will definitely accent any piece in your wardrobe!

Let’s not forget the newest addition to our family of ASHARD RICHLEY handbags …our Raya in Cobalt blue is most definitely THE statement bag! Want to be seen? Carry this bag and you’ll be sure to catch everyone’s eye. Who says edgy can’t be elegant? With our signature ruffles, the gold chains and studded accents on this bag acting as the perfect contrast to such bold color, ASHARD RICHLEY makes it happen! Dress it up or dress it down, worn as a clutch, shoulder bag or cross-body, the Raya handbag will surely work for you.

      

FASHION. FORM. FUNCTION.

Ultimate Living

As you know we love spreading the word about ASHARD RICHLEY and no one gets out there more than our designer and owner Ashley Burghardt. She recently filmed with local DFW talk show Ultimate Living.

Tune in July 29^th &  August 1^st at 1p.m. and 5.30 p.m. to catch Ashley talking with hosts Dee and D’Andra Simmons.   Dee and D’Andra have featured several local business owners, including other Dallas Designers Abi Ferrin and Rachelle Dauphinee.  The show’s guests and topics cover a wide range from fashion, business, health, and even penguins! Seriously!

Check out the cable listings below to find out what channel Ultimate Living comes on in your area. Make sure you don’t miss the chance to see Ashley give details of her life, the creation of ASHARD RICHLEY, where the company’s headed now, and much more!

Also be sure to check out our all new website! ASHARD RICHLEY has had a little face lift and it looks great. Browse the pages for new bags, red carpet features, and upcoming events!  Shop online for your favorite bags, earrings, and more. It's your one stop shop for all the latest accessories to make your outfit pop.

WWW.ASHARDRICHLEY.COM

South Side on Lamar Trunk Show

Can’t decide what to do this weekend?  Dallas is full of fun and exciting events happening all the time and it can definitely be hard to choose!  So we are going to make it easy for you by giving you the inside scoop on one of the hot spots to be this weekend.   

Be sure to mark your calendars for an ASHARD RICHLEY trunk show happening this Friday and Saturday, July 22^nd & 23^rd from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.  We are teaming up with Abi Ferrin and Rachelle Dauphinee Jewelry to bring you some of Dallas’ best designers all in one place. The trunk show will be held at South Side on Lamar in the Revolving Door Studio #103 in the Artist Quarter.  If you've never been to the South Side on Lamar building you're in for a treat.  This old historic Dallas building is truly one of a kind. A mix of artist, designers, and more make the SSL an interesting and fun place to explore. Stop in for exclusive deals on one of a kind samples and amazing markdowns on some of Dallas’ best designs!

AR in the City

Between sample sales and our MTV appearance, ASHARD RICHLEY is spreading handbags all over the place. One of our favorite things is getting pictures from people hanging out with our handbags.

As we all know New York is the fashion mecca of the states and we are proud to see VH1 Football Wives star Dawn Neufeld sporting our Avery clutch in front of the Empire State Building.  Dawn is dressed to impress for a night out on the town and the Avery looks great on her!

Where else would ASHARD RICHLEY be but out partying with our owners? AR bags can be dressed up or down with ease. These two ladies have on their sassy going out dresses and are rocking the Roxanne lime clutch and the Avery onyx clutch. They are sure to catch some attention.

Is there a better place to take an AR bag than to Europe? We don’t think so. This lovely lady trekked across London in style with the cobalt Audrey.  ASHARD RICHLEY girls are globe trotters and trendsetters! We couldn’t ask for more!

See ASHARD RICHLEY everywhere

Our model, Mariah
photos by David Hornbeck

There is nothing more that we love at ASHARD RICHLEY than accessorizing people with our fabulous handbags! We had a great time at our latest photo shoot doing just that.

Our model, Mariah, got the chance to shoot with us at our historic office building, The Continental Gin. The old cotton gin factory lends its self to some amazing photos with industrial metal doors and huge wooden beams as backdrops. Ashley played with Mariah’s hair, makeup, and wardrobe until it was just right to accentuate her perfectly designed handbags.

New photographer, David Hornbeck, shot in front of all types of interesting back drops that really made all of our handbags pop. We wound up in front of a freight elevator at one point with beautiful lighting and an industrial chic look. He also took Mariah and the handbags into our studio where we have a photo area to get simple yet beautiful shots.

Ashley got a little silly while styling Mariah and she brings that fun into every collection. We can’t wait to show off all our new designs as we roll them out. Be on the lookout for all our fashion, form, and function.

Didn’t get to see Ashley on MTV? No worries! You can watch the show on MTV.com:

http://www.mtv.com/videos/made-season-11-ep-48-prom-queen/1666875/playlist.jhtml#series=2211&seriesId=9883&channelId=1

photos by David Hornbeck

Don't miss our final private shopping event this weekend. Today from 10 to 6 and tomorrow (Saturday) from 10 to 4. Don't miss the personal event meeting with Ashley and your chance to look at every single handbag we have in stock.

Lastly Ashley and all of us at ASHARD RICHLEY would like to wish Ashley’s beautiful older sister Audrey a HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

MADE for ASHARD RICHLEY

We are really excited to finally announce Ashley Burghardt, head designer and owner of ASHARD RICHLEY, is a coach for MTV’s “Made”!  You guys all need to tune in to MTV on Wednesday, July 6^th at 3pm (CST) and catch her debut.

What an incredible experience!  The two months we taping were hectic with lots of ups and downs, but it was so fun to get to work with and help a local girl named Sarah. She was considered a little bit of an outcast but really wanted to become prom queen and make friends in her senior class before graduating. Ashley walked her through her transformation and the conclusion shows... well... WE CAN’T TELL YOU!  Tune in and find out what happened.

ASHARD RICHLEY is always excited to help people through transformations and give back to the communities we’re a part of. It’s what we do everyday. Transform every look to something extraordinary with our accessories.

As you know, we’ve had the pleasure of being a part of Texas’ Next Top Designer over the last several months and this week wrapped up with the gala.  Such a great experience to get to know our fellow contestants and the judges and to see the talent of Texas showcased in such a great way.

You will definitely want to check back next Friday as we debut our new ASHARD RICHLEY leather line – FASHION, FORM, FUNCTION!

New Styles, New Ventures

Summer is approaching and we have a lot to do to get ready for all the
new and exciting ventures that we are pursuing through ASHARD RICHLEY.
We have two new products coming out in the month of July.

First off we’re re-vamping our handbags and adding in a brand new
leather line to the ASHARD RICHLEY family. Ashley Burghardt is adding
high quality leather bags with pigskin linings and bold styles that
will start coming out mid-July. You’ll see some of your old favorite
handbags along with several new designs. The bags will be in fun
flirty spring and summer colors staying right on trend, as always! We
simply can’t wait to get them on our shelves for you to get your hands
on.

We’re also doing a complete website makeover. If you thought we looked
good before wait until you see what our web designer has done! It will
include our new leather ASHARD RICHLEY handbags, the great AR by
ASHARD RICHLEY line, and have a new sleek look. There will be tons of
photos and our Collections page will now give you a “tour of the
handbag” you are looking into purchasing. You’ll even be able to
browse our site from your phone easier.

We also have a weekend shopping event going on Friday and Saturday. If
you missed the last one, don’t worry you have another chance! ASHARD
RICHLEY will be hosting a weekend of browsing the studio, checking out
our collection, and enjoying a few cocktails to make the day that much
more fun. The hours are Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday
from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Don’t miss out on a great all around
experience! See you there!

Girlfriends Night Out

We just keep piling up the events over at ASHARD RICHLEY. Next Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday we are going to join in the fun with Shecky’s Girls Night Out in New York. With goodie bags and “girlfriend-gathering events across America”, Shecky’s is the perfect outlet for ASHARD RICHLEY handbags.

Ashley Burghardt got the opportunity to go to a Shecky’s event last year and said “It was crazy, but tons of fun”. Our handbags went out to hundreds of women in February, and that was just at the Dallas event, with just three to four thousand girlfriends attending. New York normally has is about to be overrun with our ASHARD RICHLEY handbags and we could not possibly be more thrilled.

The New York event will be in the evening from 5 to 10 so Ashley will have the chance to make all kinds of connections and network with people all over New York during her weekend stay from June 22^nd through the 24^th. It’s a great chance to get our handbags into a lot of hands and out on the streets. If you’ll be in New York be sure to stop by and visit.

There will be another Shecky’s event in September in Dallas that we hope to be a part of and connect with girlfriends in Dallas. Even more chances for everyone out there to hear about us and see our great handbags.  

Red Carpet moments for ASHARD RICHLEY

This week was full of red carpet moments for ASHARD RICHLEY!

At the Center of Attention Celebrity Charity weekend event, Ashley & Richard mingled with founder Andre Gurode and other celebrity athletes, many of whom are on the Dallas Cowboys team. The foundation had three ways to donate that evening: the raffle, bidding in the silent auction, and purchasing chips to play in the casino. We chose to help those kids by participating in all three!

AR donated our plum Ariana handbag to help sell raffle tickets with all the proceeds going to benefit Dallas Children’s Medical Center Asthma Management Program. We also participated in the silent auction, donating the “Designer Experience” including a one of a kind bag, two-hour design session with Ashley and the signed sketch of the bag they designed together. In the end the silent auction was a fantastic success! We helped raise $_____ through our donation and the raffle raised $_______. The most fun of the night was when Ashley and Richard got to show their Craps & Blackjack skills by playing in the Casino portion of the fundraiser.

The surprise of the night was when a group including Ashley and their friends in attendance sponsored a child to receive asthma treatment which would normally cost a family $1,500. She loves when their passions for charity and handbags can intersect for great causes.

Andre's parents and teammates came out to support his cause too. Andre joked that he got his looks, but not his height, from his dad – clearly seen in the picture. Everyone there was stunning and we were glad that we could help out.

ASHARD RICHLEY also hopped onto the red carpet for the Surreal4Real Charity event for The Little Princess Foundation. Nancy LaScala, from Vegas: Based on a True Story, stepped out with our Avery clutch on Thursday June 2^nd. She looked stunning in her black dress and we were glad to see our handbag by her side. Stay tuned next week to hear our latest & greatest!

Happy Hour with AR

Just when it seems we are as busy as we can be, we have one more thing that adds to the excitement whirling around the ASHARD RICHLEY office! Just last week Ashley Burghardt, our head designer and owner, was spotted with Andre Gurode at Trece..

Andre Gurode, of the Dallas Cowboys, hosted a happy hour last week to support the Children’s Medical Dallas Asthma Management Program, an outpatient educational program that helps parents successfully manage their childhood asthma. Andre & Ashley share a soft spot for kids so she was happy to support such a great cause while getting to hang with some of our favorite Cowboys such as Isaiah Stanback. Although she got to show off her new Addison handbag (more on those in a later blog), it was more than a meet and greet for her, it was an opportunity to support Children’s Medical Center in Dallas and Andre’s charity. It was more than a meet and greet for her, it was an opportunity to support Children’s Medical Center in Dallas and Andre’s organization Center of Attention. We love that as a community minded company, ASHARD RICHLEY was able to support a community charity with attendance and even a donation.

ASHARD RICHLEY donated Ariana in Plum handbag for the event’s raffle and a Designer Experience package to the silent auction. The Designer Experience includes a two-hour design session with Ashley where you get to help design your very own custom bag, a signed sketch of the design, and your one of a kind designer handbag! Next week we’ll let you in on all the details of what happened at the gala!to be auctioned off at the silent auction during Andre’s Celebrity Gala hosted this Friday, June 3^rd. We hope you have your invitation – this will be a fun prize to bid on.

On top of all that there is even a Celebrity kickball game on Saturday June 4^th!

Ashley and her husband, Richard, were entered into a drawing for a celebrity gala on June 3^{rd ,} as part of Andre’s Weekend with the Stars event, and they won! Next week we’ll let you in on all the details of what happened!

AR and LivingSocial!

ASHARD RICHLEY is teaming up with LivingSocial! $70 for $30 is an excellent deal that you can get for ONE DAY ONLY! From 5am Thursday June 2^nd until 5am Friday June 3^rd we will be featured on LivingSocial to do a private shopping event on June 10^th, 11^th, 24^th, 25^th , and July 8^th -9^th mingling with other buyers, meeting with Ashley Burghardt, and cocktails.

But what to buy? If you ask any of the fashionistas out and about what THE trend of the summer of 2011 is they will tell you that it is color blocking. Luckily, we have an entire collection of Color Block handbags to fulfill that need! And now it looks like you’ve found the perfect time to purchase one (or more).

The blocks of Lime and Lavender on our ASHARD RICHLEY handbags are just enough to add a splash of color without being overwhelming, but the biggest problem many women run into is how to do color blocking without embarrassing themselves or those around them. We’re here to help!

One of the keys to successfully pulling off the art of color block is to remember not to overdo it. Absolutely throw in a block of color from one of our handbags, but keep your outfit more neutral and grab a pair of bright shoes instead. Color blocking is very easy to get wrong, it’s so easy to completely overdo it and throw too much color on everything.

But ASHARD RICHLEY's Color Block Collection makes things even easier by not over doing the blocks of color so you don’t feel overwhelmed. With more neutral tones already built into all our handbags, we’ve taken some of the guesswork out of pairing one of our fantastic handbags with a fantastic outfit.

Make sure to take LivingSocial up on our deal THIS WEDNESDAY and get to meet Ashley – tell your friends and we’ll make it a party. New to LivingSocial? Here’s a short tutorial for you. We are really excited to partner with them. If you want to make sure to receive the deal, we will forward it out to our mailing list so contact us at customercare@ashardrichley.com to join.

We're Next!

Have we told you we made the top 20 finalists in Texas’ Next Top Designer? This could be a groundbreaking event in the world of AR!

It has been a terrific time being a part of this group of 20 inspirational designers. The great thing about being a designer is you can find inspiration everywhere and have a sincere appreciation for creativity in many outlets. We have come to respect these designers, while still competing against them…and wanting to win!

Some wonder how in the world you could do a runway show with a handbag designer? Many assumed it couldn’t be done. But we are proving them wrong. Ashley came up with a great idea to dress the models in nude tones so that her colorful bags would pop and become the highlight of the show. Then she took it a step further and found creative ways to display parts of the bags on the models such as taking the detachable straps and wrapping them around the model’s arms or wearing them as belts and headbands. It made for a stunning show as model and purse became one!

Previous Texas’ Next Top Designer winners have really benefited from winning as the group helps with marketing and public relations as well as media connections. We could not ask for a better boost! The best part about TNTD is they really want to work with and teach those who are already showing entrepreneurial spirit. They know we can use guidance on how to grow a business and they offer it. We can design bags, but getting a business out there is a whole different animal. It’s tough, but we are excited to grow all while showcasing our designs to some of the most respected individuals in the Texas industry.

Be looking for more information on Texas’ Next Top Designer from us in June when we should hear more at the gala. Fall samples will be in soon as well – we always love seeing a new design come to life. Stay tuned!

Oh Zooey!

Zooey Magazine has featured the ASHARD RICHLEY Raya clutch this month. The model, dress, and Raya all look stunning. This bag is a great day to night bag and Zooey Magazine has shown an awesome night time event look.

ASHARD RICHLEY featured in the TV Series "Dallas"

All of us at ASHARD RICHLEY are excited to have our handbags featured in the remake of the TV Series "DALLAS". AR bags were selected by "Dallas" TV Stylist Rachel Kunin to be featured in the remake this Fall. Look out for our bags on all the great actresses involved!

Victoria's Mothers!

We're spotlighting AR moms this week! Victoria wanted to let us in on both her moms love for Ashard Richley.

"My mom and mother-in-law both love Ashard Richley. My mom, on the right side of the picture, loves the Audrey. When she first saw it she said, "Oh I love the color!" She also loved its sleek city style look! My mother-in-law adores the Adriana and carries it all of the time. I have a lot in common with my mom and mother-in-law including our love for AR bags!"

It's not too late! Mother's Day is Sunday! Enter "ARMOM" for a 40% discount just in time!

Kathleen's Mom Loves AR!

Continuing with our AR moms we wanted to show you a little about Kathleen's mom. Kathleen's mom, Coral, loves Alarice in black the best. It's compact, so she can take it anywhere with her, plus it's oh so stylish.Which bag does your mom like best? Get it for her today with a 40% discount if you enter "ARMOM" at checkout!

40 for Mother's Day!

Hey guys! It's Ashley, the designer of AR! This week we are honoring mothers across the world. I'm kicking it off by honoring my mom and mother-in-law. They always rock AR bags! My mom on the left is wearing the Rihanna in Lime and my mother-in-law is sporting the Adriana in Onyx.

Get your mom an AR bag at 40% off with code ARMOM.

Shop ASHARD RICHLEY!

Look of the Day: Swinging Seventies

Check out this adorable Look of the Day! A floral top with flared jeans and bohemian accessories are all the rage this season. We're obsessed! The Seventies look is effortless and AR's Adriana is the finishing touch to complete the outfit. Whether your out and about or going on a hot date the Adriana is the perfect companion. We promise you can't go wrong with AR bags!

The "F" Bag

The Fold Over Clutch, need we say more? They’re easy to carry and look great with any outfit. Whether your rockin a t-shirt and jeans or a fun cocktail dress a Fold Over Clutch will be your new best friend this season. Here at AR we are so excited about our Roxanne because it hits three major Spring/Summer trends in one bag! Color blocking, tassels, and the folded asymmetrical look are hot for this season. Make a Roxanne yours today!

All Good Things Come in Small Packages...

Let's face it ladies we all need to lighten our load every once in a while! The time has arrived to ditch the oversized totes and switch to a smaller handbag. Ashard Richley's Alarice is perfect for this season and just the right size for the bare essentials. Summer brings outdoor concerts and festivals and your handbag must keep up with your adventures. Alarice is the perfect size and can be worn as a cross body or carried as a clutch. Here at AR we say "cheers" to summer fun and our adorable Alarice!

Naturally Neutral

Naturally neutral and delightfully simple can be your new wardrobe update for this season. Ashard Richley has got your most wanted handbags to make a statement and separate yourself from the crowd. The beauty of a natural handbag is that it can be carried from day to night with any type of outfit. Any bag from our Ruffle Collection or our Riley Clutch is guaranteed to dazzle against any color or texture. Here at AR we're convinced it can't get much better than this!

Hot Hues

Coral and Royal Blue are two of the hottest shades for Spring/Summer and Ashard Richley has got your freshest styles in these rockin' hues! Our Uptown & Ruffle Collections are full of fresh designs that are sure to please. Coral and Royal Blue pop against neutrals, jazz up a t-shirt and jeans look, or kick it up a notch for a night out...seriously there's nothing better.

Loving and LIVING Magazine

We are loving our spread in Living Magazine this month! Rihanna, Ariana, Roxanne, and Audrey all dazzle in Living's accessory shot. AR bags can truly make any outfit pop!

Things That Go Pop!

One of the hottest styles in apparel this spring is to wear neutrals and whites. This is a classic style that seems to repeat its self through the ages. One way to keep this style edgy is by adding a fun, eye-catching handbag to pop with your neutral outfit. Ashard Richley loves color and we have tons of colors to pick from at www.ashardrichley.com.