Laketha Ashe of Justmyne: Fashion That Defines Identity and Purpose

In Columbus, Georgia, fashion designer Laketha Ashe is building more than a clothing brand—she is shaping a message of confidence, ownership, and resilience through design. As the founder and creative force behind Justmyne, Laketha approaches fashion as a form of storytelling rooted in lived experience.

Laketha’s relationship with fashion began early. Growing up as the middle child of three girls, she often relied on hand-me-downs and altered clothing. What began as necessity slowly became creativity. “I learned to reimagine what already existed,” she explains. That mindset not only influenced her design style but also inspired the name of her brand—Justmyne—a reflection of individuality and self-ownership.

Over time, fashion became her preferred form of expression. She recalls realizing design was more than a hobby when she began to see how people reacted to her work. “I watched people stand taller and feel more confident,” she says. “That’s when I knew this was purpose, not just passion.”

Her creative process is deeply personal and intentionally slow. Laketha draws inspiration from everyday life—conversations, faith, personal growth, and moments of hardship. Once inspired, she translates emotion into design, sometimes through sketches and other times by working directly with fabric. “Intention matters most,” she says. “Every stitch has meaning.” For Laketha, a garment is not complete until it carries both visual appeal and emotional weight.

Like many creatives, Laketha is quick to challenge misconceptions about the fashion industry. While the public often sees the polished final product, she emphasizes the behind-the-scenes reality. Designing, she notes, requires long hours, financial risk, and constant problem-solving. “You’re not just an artist,” she explains. “You’re also a business owner, strategist, and leader.”

She also pushes back against the idea that fashion is not serious work. “Fashion is manufacturing, branding, logistics, and storytelling,” Laketha says. “It shapes culture and identity, and that’s a responsibility I take seriously.”

The themes woven throughout Justmyne collections are consistent: strength, resilience, faith, and becoming. Laketha designs with intention for those who have had to navigate life without a clear roadmap. Her personal experiences—learning perseverance, trusting the process, and showing up through uncertainty—are reflected in every piece. “I want people to feel confident, powerful, and unapologetic when they wear my designs,” she says.

Although originally from Panama City, Florida, Laketha considers Columbus home, having built her brand there over the past 26 years. Building locally, she says, is about representation and access. “World-class creativity can exist right here,” she notes. “It’s important to show what’s possible and to give back to the community that helped shape me.”

Her advice to aspiring designers in the Chattahoochee Valley is straightforward: start where you are. “Don’t wait for perfection or permission,” Laketha says. “Learn the business, protect your vision, and stay consistent. Your voice matters, and there is room for you.”

In an industry often driven by fast trends, Laketha’s work stands apart—grounded in intention, shaped by experience, and designed to empower. Through Justmyne, she continues to prove that fashion can be both personal and purposeful, defining not just how people look, but how they feel.

Let this story remind you that nothing is out of reach. Justmyne is an international designer participating in Milan Fashion Week along with NYFW and LA Fashion Week along with their own productions all around the US. If you are free on Jan. 24 there is a “Threaded in Power” fashion show with designer Justmyne at the Trade Center. Until then, just know that someone is out there trying to change the world one garment at a time! 

I believe in you!