Designer Profiles Features

ASHLEY AKIN
Willow & Ivy
@willowandivypress

Aesthetic of the Line? Stylishly cool cards with all the finishings our customers love. Die-cut, glitter, foils — you name it, we have it. Our cards combine the best of today’s color and design trends into greetings that feel fun, polished and a little bit playful. Our mission is to craft the cards that deserve a spotlight on your shelf.

Current Bestseller? After our launch, my team and I were excited to see “Peek-A-Balloon” as an early bestseller. Who doesn’t want to “celebrate another fabulous year of you!”?

Personal Favorite? I think everyone could use a cup of “Positivi-tea.” I love tea and self-care. Two of my favorites, showcased on our beautiful card design!

Surprise Hit? I was surprised to see all of our sympathy cards as top-sellers. It is difficult to imagine so many affected by grief and loss, and it is truly an honor to be a part of someone’s journey during a difficult time. I hope our cards helped others feel seen, loved and comforted.

Iconic Selection? Woop! Woop! Bear started as our unofficial brand mascot, and remains a mainstay of our collection. If you look closely, you’ll find him in our Las Vegas showroom and on a few special stickers we created for retailer samples.

Current Design Obsession? I’m going through a bit of a fashion renaissance right now, exploring how volume and scale relate to my sense of style and self. I’m embracing volume, interesting angles and rich textures. Barrel jeans and wide-leg pants? Suede and corduroy layers?Oversized jackets? YES, please! I find myself gravitating toward silhouettes that maximize balance, style and comfort.

Favorite Color? Willow green and pink. It goes so well with fun accents (we use our wavy lines everywhere in our brand) and works so well across many mediums.

Favorite Flower? Lilies and hydrangeas are my favorite flower combo; however recently I’m buying more indoor plants than flowers. I especially love my indoor mantra plant. If I’m lucky, it’ll flower this season — fingers crossed!

Favorite Indulgence? Saturday morning brunch followed by a cozy, midday nap. The perfect weekend duo!