Ashley Diabo has a great laugh. It’s easy, infectious and sprinkled generously throughout her story-telling, emphasizing her positive perspective. When she reflects on how her young career has unfolded, she revels at each positive turn, as if surprised by her good fortune. And yet, with such a congenial attitude and strong sense of self, it’s no wonder that Ashley’s skills have led to opportunities, setting her apart from the pack. And apart from the pack is really Ashley’s comfort zone.
Growing up in Kahnawake, Ashley never felt part of any crowd but wasn’t the least bit bothered by it. She recalls, “I was shy as a kid. I wasn’t bad in school but I was average academically and it made me feel average as a person.” She found artistic expression and a way to distinguish herself through beauty. In high school Ashley became known for her “looks” in a different way than most. Finding inspiration in other creative free spirits like Scene Queen Raquel Reed, her bold choices were not for the faint of heart.
“I shaved my eyebrows off and penciled them in; I had these intense arches. I wore three pairs of fake lashes, sewn in jet-black, 24-inch hair extensions and these insane, alien blue contact lenses.”
Unsurprisingly, many peers saw a future for Ashley in beauty but although she had always seen a place for herself in fashion, she had yet to connect the dots. After two changes of heart, in fashion design and fashion marketing programs, she found her sweet spot in makeup artistry at LaSalle College. As she describes it, “I knew I had the natural talent but this time I had the passion behind it. Things finally clicked.”
Her first big gig out of the graduation gate was a job with Youtube sensation Mila Victoria for a Grimes shoot. Known for her left-of-center looks that lean toward the dark and twisted, the music video Kill V. Maim was Ashley’s glass slipper, showcasing her superb line-work and spirit for the outrageous. “The last day, they used me as an extra in the video. I was doused in fake blood, dancing away,” she laughs, revelling in the memory.
Ashley’s fearlessness and unique point of view is something innate and arguably her greatest asset as she grows in this industry. Her individualistic approach has garnered her coveted jobs for Refinery29, Document Journal, KINGKONG magazine, acclaimed Canadian designer Urbanovitch and her own feature for I-D magazine’s up-and-coming talent. Trying to pinpoint the source of her courage, she reflects, “I’ve always had a sense of not caring what other people think. The feeling of being myself is so much more rewarding.”
— Interview by Naeme El-Zein.