Meet Ashlee Favro: Fashion Mogul and Professional Blogger
Ashlee Favro, the creative genius behind @tusksandtails, is a Lancaster, P.A. native based in Philadelphia. Tusks and Tails is the name of her style, travel, and lifestyle blog and Instagram account. She even owns and operates a successful photography business (her work can be found here!) Her passion for photography and chic fashion brings a Parisian flair to Philadelphia that followers can indulge in and pull inspiration from-we sure do!
Read on to get the inside scoop from Ashlee’s survey-style interview conducted in May 2021. Questions in bold were asked by The Edge’s Lydia Buckius and Ashlee’s responses are listed directly below.
Did you attend college, if so where and what was your major?
Yes! I attended The Art Institute of York. I have a degree in Fashion Marketing!
What is your current career and what do you love most about it?
Right now I am self employed as an influencer, blogger, and photographer. I love everything about running my own business, you make so many connections. You really have to push yourself and learn a lot of traits when working for yourself. (Ex. you're the manager, the lawyer, the creative head, you are everything for your own business, unlike working for a company). No one is going to tell you what to do and if you want to make a living making that your career you need to sacrifice a lot at the beginning but it's worth it.
What is the most influential experience you had as a young adult that kickstarted your career? (i.e. an internship, a conversation, a trip, etc.)
Years ago a big move for me didn't end well and I wasn't sure what to do with a job. Instagram was fairly new and I just started to post photos of my outfits for fun. I started receiving free clothes (which I thought was the best part at the time haha) that turned into paid collaborations. When I got my first campaign deal for a few thousand dollars for just one photo was when I was like, wow I can really do something with this if I take it seriously. I feel like those paid deals really kickstarted it for me!
Can you offer any advice to people in college who are interested in fashion and lifestyle vlogging/blogging and want to be influencers or work in fashion?
Start off with no expectations and post what YOU love. There was a period where I was just trying to post similar things to everyone else who I saw was getting "lots of likes." When I was doing this, it became less fun for me and felt more like pressure from a job. Whenever I simply post things that I genuinely like, or spur of the moment I think my followers see that and connect more with you as a person and enjoy it. I always try to answer all my engagement onsocial media (DMS, comments, etc..) this way you actually have a connection with your followers, you want to build a community and have your followers feel like a real-life friend. I think the last part is most important. I know my favorite bloggers to follow are the ones that actually answer my questions and talk back to me. I have unfollowed some people in the past for never responding to comments or DMs, giving me the feeling like you don't care and are just afterhere to post ads and make money.
Describe your style in three words.
This is hard! Haha, I would say: neutral, casual chic, and modern!
What are your favorite pieces in your closet?
Over the knee boots. I still and will always love them. I’m short so they make me look taller!
Timeless staples everyone needs?
A black blazer. I love pairing this over a little black dress, jeans, and shorts in the summer! Elegant dress, and a good pair of comfy sneakers.
Current favorite trend?
Honestly, the shacket. I have been wearing mine all season. Over short dresses, jeans, sweats, and shorts.
What are three things you think will be Summer 2021 must-haves?
Not that these are my style but I think everyone will have: pastel-colored 90s themes, wide-leg jeans, & matching sets. Here are my summer must-haves: high-waisted loose jean shorts, backless slip mini dress, & comfy slides.
If you could only shop from one brand/fashion house for the rest of your life which would it be and why?
If money is no issue I would choose Zimmerman, I absolutely love the fit of everything they put out, dresses, shirts, pants. All their silhouettes are my dream closet! I love how it's edgier with a girly twist but not over-the-top girly. For more affordable brands, I love Iro Paris, ASOS, and & Other Stories. I have always loved more of the European style and brands. Their brands seem to be better quality and more my style in general!
Do you have a favorite publication that you read regularly for fashion inspiration and ideas?
I honestly read lots of blogs (@sivanayla is my favorite) and my monthly Vogue subscription.
If you’re in need of some styling tips (why wouldn’t you be!?), be sure to check out her Instagram and blog @tusksandtails
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Featured image found here.