Famed designer mentors next-gen fashion prodigies in Cincinnati

CINCINNATI (WKRC) – A fashion designer with a national following is helping young women find their wings.

Asha Ama grew up in Avondale before attending the University of Cincinnati’s prestigious DAAP College of Design, and she’s preparing girls who look like her to be the next generation of fashion stars.

Three local high school students are getting expert guidance from Ama, who has appeared on Project Runway, designed for celebrities including Zendaya, taught a Masterclass, and even had a hand in a recent Cincinnati Ballet premiere.

But behind the showy scenes, she’s quietly sharing priceless expertise with the young women.

“The older I get, the more I realize I was afforded a lot of opportunities that Black women don’t get, especially young ones,” she said. “And then of course, getting these big opportunities can really change the trajectory of your life.”

Ama says her hard working parents opened many doors. “There’s no reason a girl who grew up in Avondale whose dad was a bus driver should have gone to St. Ursula Academy, but because he put me in those rooms, he knew that if you know someone gave me the ball, I could take it all the way.”

Watch Sheila Gray’s story on Local 12 News, Thursday at 6 p.m.