Alyssa Wamsley shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Alyssa, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: Are you walking a path—or wandering?
I’d say I am wandering down my own path. Like a long hike in the woods where you keep meandering off trail because you see an enticing little side path that lead to a glistening creek, where the wind is blowing just softly enough on the trees to make the leaves rustle in the most beautiful way, singing in harmony with the flowing water. Or a lush clearing full of flowers, or a hidden cliff with a view of the mountains. I always stop to explore but I never get lost, I can always find my way back to the main path. It’s more fun that way anyway.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Alyssa, the creator and owner of Astral Vision Designs. I am 27 years old and I have been making clothes for almost 9 years now. When I was in high school I was a little hippie, missing school to go to music festivals and going to shows in NYC on school nights. I fell in love with the festival fashion and the entire culture revolving around electronic music. When the time came to graduate and choose what I was doing with my life I decided I wanted to make clothes. What started as just a dream slowly blossomed into a career. From humble beginnigs just cutting and braiding clothing, to now having hundreds and hundreds of different designs that we create entirely from scratch. I taught myself everything I know about sewing, including pattern making.
Now in 2025 Astral Visions is pretty established as a festival fashion brand, It was a snowball effect of my hard work and dedication paying off and the brand becoming a big name in the festival scene. Word of mouth, meeting thousands of people over the years at festivals, and organic growth that came from social media all helped me get where i am today.
One thing about me that I think is unique is that I didn’t start making clothes with the goal of making money, or getting well known enough for people to recognize me when I go out to shows/festivals. I only started doing this because I wanted to express myself. I wanted to make people feel confident and comfortable and beautiful no matter what you look like. Meeting my husband back in 2018 was a real turning point for Astral Vision, teaching him how to sew and create has skyrocketed what we can do as a brand. We can create a custom piece of clothing for any human who wants to wear our art.
Its been a natural evolution powered by love and creativity.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
The part of me that feels like all I should be doing is working. I am so deeply attached to my work and in many ways my identity is tied with my brand. We used to have more orders than days of the year, taking us so long to finish and putting immense pressure on us. Even when things got a little more managable, I didn’t lessen that pressure on myself. All I would think about is work. Every time I go out someone recognizes me for my brand. People want to talk about it and it’s wonderful, but it also formed a very unhealthy connection with my work and the person I am. I almost forgot I am Alyssa not Astral Vision.
For a long time it became really hard to seperate myself from work, something that I am sure is common for people who work at home for themselves. I’ve been so dedicated to my craft, working tirelessly 6 days a week, then I would take just one day off and be surprised that I don’t feel rested afterwards. Its because mentally I never turn work mode off. It has been a trait that has greatly helped my buisness’ success, but it also distanced me from my true self. That little hippie girl who just wanted to dance, draw, explore nature, and just be. Life can be so fast moving as you grow older. We lose the childlike parts of ourselves that allowed us to enjoy life at its fullest and simplest.
I am tapping back into that version of myself. Keeping my drive and ambition but being a bit softer. Recognizing the need for rest, relaxation, and self reflection, That way I can continue doing this until I am old and grey.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
Life really does go by as fast as people say it does. One day this moment will be a distant memory. You will grow up to be the woman you have always wanted to be and inspire others. Any heaviness you feel is helping you become a stronger person in the future. Every tough moment is a lesson and you are so much more powerful than you realize. One day you will see that.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
Being kind, showing love & caring about people, animals and the environment. Making everyone who interacts with me feel loved and comfortable. Doing what I can to be a positive influence on the world & helping make it a better place in any way I can.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I am absolutely doing what I was born to do. When I was a child playing with my dolls all I would do is dress them up and change their outfits. I would make the biggest mess of my barbies and polly pockets with their outfits sprawled across my floor. As I got a little bitolder and used the computer I would play a game called Cartoon Doll Emporium where you would just dress up your characters. I was destined to create clothing and be a designer even before I consciously realized it. Being a creatrix is my one true calling & greatest contribution to this world.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://astralvisiondesigns.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/astralvisiondesigns
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@astralvisiondesigns?lang=en
