1. Who are you what do you do?
My name is Ashton Hirota but most people know me as Ashton Michael (my company name). i am a celebrity designer based in Hollywood CA and the founder of the Ashton Michael Label. i have been running my own one of kind fashion line since i was 19 years old. 10 years later i am proud to say that i have had my clothes on celebrities ranging from Chris Brown, The Black Eyed Peas, Nicki Minaj, Pit Bull, john legend, Keri Hilson, Regina Spektor, P Diddy, and the list goes on and on. as any artist my style and esthetic has changed and evolved from spikes and over embellishments to leather and lace to pop harajuk but alas years later for me to have found that ideal niche that is the face of Ashton Michael . i love making upscale stage apparel that can be worn of stage as well as off. smart detailing with tasteful application. in this case i will say less is more and a much stronger statement. i love taking what a client “thinks” they want and translate it to something press worthy. every job, client, personality is different so my life is constantly full of new adventures. blessed!
2. Wheres you favorite place for lunch?
I want to talk about brunch rather than lunch because i rarely eat lunch. Brunch hands down is my boyfriends restaurant . it is called KTCHN 105. Located off the grid in the produce district in downtown LA this hidden gem has the good eats and fresh juices that make all sundays feel like your not in LA, rather NY. the outside patio is hidden in orange trees and herb gardens. It has rapidly become the “spot” for the kids in the industry. My favorite dish he makes is what he labels ” the best part about a fried egg” . Egg whites fried so thin it is crispy, on top of whole , laid over puff pastry and home fries dripping hollandaise and toped with micro greens. (see attached pic)
3. Where’s your favorite place for dinner?
One of my favorite placed for dinner is called “ hot pot hot pot” in alhambra. its hands down the best shabu shabu style restaurant ive ever been too. the flavor, the spice, the freshness of the nearly hundred components you can put in it is unreal. its a true vegetarian delight. on a typical night at Hot Pot Hot Pot i would have them make the broth a level 5 (hottest) , which will set your mouth on fire. the broth is filled with cardamon, chilis, and more herbs and roots that im even aware of. now what goes in it? I typically get bamboo shoots, tofu, fresh oysters, pumpkin, hand made noodles, mushrooms, and baby corn. (see attached image)
4. Drink of choices
18 years scotch, neat with one cube.
5. Last meal would be?
Spam . i know it sounds gross but its what i grew up with ( my father is from hawaii) and there is something sinfully delicious about that gelatin covered canned meat i would want to go out the same way i came in!
