Every year is a milestone year for Ashton Hirota, the streetwear fashion designer behind the Ashton Michael label, whose clients include Beyoncé, Doja Cat, Avril Lavigne, No Doubt, Machine Gun Kelly, and Korn.
In 2025, Hirota worked on outfits for his eighth Super Bowl Halftime Show — lace-up pants for SZA, plus red, white, and blue outfits for all 100 dancers behind headliner Kendrick Lamar — which Hirota calls a “wild and humbling process.” He’s also proud of Freak on a Leash, a line of dog accessories launched with Jonathan Davis (Korn’s lead vocalist) that combines “three things that are dear to me: metal music, rescue dogs, and creative-collaborating with badass friends.”
Hirota wants people to “unconditionally, loudly, unapologetically” support their queer chosen families, noting that “loud and proud” is a powerful reminder that “we aren’t going anywhere.” “Ashton Michael is known for shutting down the Hollywood street in front of the atelier for our runway shows,” Hirota teases. “It’s time to create the fourth edition of this gathering of glorious misfits.” @ashtonmichael
