Bawdy, Beautiful, and Bad A**, Meet Ashley Longshore, The Pop Artist Everyone Can’t Get Enough Of

As a New York Fashion Landmark, everyone knows that Bergdorf Goodman is consistently bustling with an ambiance of luxury and high-end fashion. Nonetheless, Louisiana based pop artist, Ashley Longshore enhanced this aura, whirling on to it an overwhelming sense of empowerment as she became the first-ever solo female artist to have her artwork on display at the luxury department store this past January.  

Ashley Longshore surrounded by her work. Source: Wikimedia by Alexandra Arnold

Ashley Longshore’s Art in Bergdorf Goodman Windows on 5th Ave in NYC. Source: Bergdorf Goodman Blog

Bergdorf’s 7th floor Gallery along with six display windows on 5th Ave were swarmed by a group of women, naturally captivated by the pop feminists glittery, bawdy, and colorful style.

Linda Fargo on why Bergdorf Goodman partnered with Ashley Longshore. Source: Instagram @ashleylongshoreart.

Whether it be Jesus surrounded in Louis Vuitton, Kate Moss dressed as a nun, or a meticulously crafted pink diamond canvass cloaked in a glittery rhyme, “Little Miss Muffett became Miss Buffet and stacked up her own money, honey,” Longshore’s paintings serve as a humorous reminder that there is strength to be found in being shamelessly female and unapologetically yourself.

Ashley Longshore Fashion Icons Collection – Detail of Painting of Kate Moss wearing a Bvlgari Serpenti Necklace. Source: Ashley Longshore.

Time Out Chair by Ashley Longshore Furniture. Source: Ashley Longshore.

Being both elegant yet rebellious is not an easy feat, it is no wonder Longshore has caught the attention of adored celebrity collectors such as Blake Lively, Eli, Manning, Salma Hayek, and many of new york’s most prominent socialites. But it doesn’t stop there, her talent has lead to collaborations with some of the luxury world’s top brands, Chloe, La Boite, and Judith Leiber.

Actress Blake Lively and artist Ashley Longshore celebrate the launch of The Pop Artist’s Exhibit on January 11, 2018 at Bergdorf Goodman in New York City. Source: Twitter @blakelivelyf.

“There is No Crying at Bergdorf Goodman” by Ashley Longshore. Source: Instagram @bergdorfs.

Despite her recent fame, Longshore confesses that her greatest legacy is not her painting, rather, sharing a feeling of endless possibility every day with her supporters. With over 124k followers, the fashionista’s proudly profane Instagram (@ashleylongshoreart) can attest to this larger than life attitude, as she is constantly updating her followers with glittery goodness and positivity.

Source: Instagram @ashleylongshoreart

“Listen here gals…. every single woman I know is beautiful! We are like a garden of wildflowers! Thank god we are not all the same size or color.. thank god we are all unique… thank god we have that spark of individuality that makes us shine… i aint skinny… and no one wrote me a check to make my dreams come true… this journey is a personal journey and it’s only through the hard times that we find character and self love…. “ – Ashley Longshore, Instagram June 14

 

 
However, the road to success has not always been glitter-filled and glamorous for the admired female entrepreneur. Born in Montgomery, Alabama, Longshore explains she “was raised by the garden club,” and found herself constantly defying the lifestyle of cotillion. Eventually, the pop-artist fled town for Montana and soon-after found herself in New Orleans, “a city she adores for its rawness.”

Anna Wintour in “Care Bear Stare” by Ashley Longshore. Source: Ashley Longshore

Longshore relentlessly peddled through her earliest paintings- which were mostly met with rejection by local galleries. Yet, she never fails to be grateful for this period of her life, proudly sharing with her followers, “ there was a time I have been told I would never make it… mean girls have picked on me, laughed at me and made fun of me, galleries told me I wasn’t marketable.  I was broke as hell at 30 years old painting in the back of a 400 square foot shitty apartment in the bowels of New Orleans.. the ONLY thing that kept me believing in success was that I gave myself a pep talk every day.” Despite her recent fame, Longshore still prides herself on her long work days, and describes her journey, as filled with “blood, sweat, and tears.” Her relentless, go-getter attitude has made her a role model for women, and inspire us all to fiercely chase our dreams.

“You Don’t Look Fat, You Look Crazy” Book by Ashley Longshore. Source: Ashley Longshore

“Supreme Leader” by Ashley Longshore. Pop art painting of Kim Jong Un. Source: Ashley Longshore.

No matter where she came from, one thing is for certain, the world of contemporary art will never be the same. Longshore has emblazoned a path for pop art and fashion to coexist and has directed it towards a world in which women are empowered to be unapologetically themselves.  In a society full of people striving for perfection, Longshore and her work prove that a world without imperfections is not nearly as fun, glamorous, and unique.