Ashley Soliman is a costume designer and visual artist based in New York City.

Drawing upon a variety of sources to create expressive imagery and objects, her creative practices are anchored by the language of color and the physical manifestation of inner worlds. She is propelled by the collaborative nature of performance and the desire to create garments that resonate with both wearer and audience. Ashley’s keen eye, varied skill set, and curiosity guide her through the distinct challenges that each project brings, resulting in a fresh approach for tales new and old. As a character-driven designer, her costumes have been praised for their rewarding use of color, as well as for being “masterful”, “wacky,” and “rich in detail”. She was named as one of Broadway Women’s Fund 2023 “Women to Watch on Broadway".

Ashley’s designs have been seen on local and regional stages. Selected world premieres include Angel Island (Beth Morrison Projects & BAM), Double Helix (Bay Street Theater), REDEEMED (CATF), Do You Love The Dark? (The Alliance), and Sweet Potato Kicks The Sun (Santa Fe Opera). She was awarded “Best Costumes” for her work on Mind The Art Entertainment’s Fatty Fatty No Friends (NYC Fringe Festival) and Whiskey Pants (Frigid Fest), with the former receiving a NYITA “Best Costumes” nomination during a secondary run. Ashley had the pleasure of assisting costume designer Jessica Jahn on the debut of Jessica Blank and Erik Jensen’s Coal Country at The Public Theater, which opened successfully before the pandemic cut its run short.

In addition to designing, Ashley spent four formative years as a painter and artisan at Jeff Fender Studio, where she discovered that she could apply her fine arts background to costume crafts. Under Jeff’s tutelage, she learned how to interpret and actualize concepts brought in by designers such as Gregg Barnes, Gregory Gale, Paul Tazewell, Suzy Benzinger, Sandy Powell, and Ann Roth. Ashley became versed in aging, distressing, embellishing, and fabric painting for projects appearing on Broadway and in opera, dance, film, and television (notably the erstwhile Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show.)

A first generation American of Chinese heritage, Ashley was born and raised in Chino Hills, California. She holds a BFA in Fine Arts & Printmaking from the School of Visual Arts and is mother to one wily toddler.