Ashley Zisook Snitz, Owner + Stylist
Ashley’s love and passion for fashion started early when she discovered the wonderland that was her mother’s closet. Her mother and grandmother’s enthusiasm for collecting vintage designer pieces left an indelible impression on Ashley from a young age, as did her grandfather’s (Morrie Mages) deep roots in retail. Seeing her family’s commitment to the industry and excitement for the sense of community it allowed them to build ultimately led Ashley to a career in fashion.
Ashley’s personal sense of style evolved over the years but its foundation was built in her 20s while in Los Angeles working in the music industry (Ashley’s second love). For Ashley, music not only feeds her soul, but it also provides inspiration, energy, and euphoria. Her signature look features 70s rock-inspired vintage with a modern twist.
Ashley’s creative eye for mixing and matching one-of-a-kind vintage pieces with new designer lines has made her one of Chicago’s most sought after stylists. At the age of 27, she launched a “by appointment only” vintage showroom in Chicago’s famous Gold Coast neighborhood, where she quickly created a buzz amongst celebrities. Given its popularity, Ashley’s showroom evolved into her first independent boutique, Sofia, relocating into a larger space in 2012 to accommodate the experiential environment Ashley envisioned for the store, including a growing catalog of new and vintage designer collections, independent local brands and interactive community events. That same year, Sofia also made its pop-up west coast debut in Malibu, California with the support of Ashley’s celebrity friends like musician, Cisco Adler. Sofia established itself as one of Chicago’s top shopping destinations, known for creatively integrating the beauty of the past with fresh and unique designs.
Fast forward ten years and there’s still something about Sofia. Due to the continued support and overwhelming interest from Sofia’s committed fans and supporters, Ashley got to work researching and identifying a gap in the market - an accessible experience where customers can find one-of-a-kind items and pieces that inspire and are available at a variety of price points. Knowing she could fill a unique need in the industry was all the inspiration Ashley needed and hence, her latest venture, Something about Sofia, was born.
A retail pop-up concept unlike any other, Something about Sofia includes curated selections of vintage designer collections, fresh, independent brands, and upcycled products handmade by Ashley. The pop-up delivers eclectic collections of clothing, jewelry, accessories, home goods, art, and one-of-a-kind products, as well as a variety of brands that are exclusive to Something about Sofia. Something about Sofia’s unique product lines and innovative experiential elements makes it one of the most exciting concept pop-ups to hit the Chicagoland area.
By embracing the “live lovely” mentality, Something about Sofia is an approachable and inclusive community that encourages customers to embrace their authentic selves while confidently exploring “the new” - in life and fashion.
Ashley resides in Glencoe, Illinois with her husband, Neal, and two children, daughter, Stevie (named for one of Ashley’s creative inspirations, Stevie Nicks and Stevie Wonder), and son, Morrison, named after Ashley’s grandfather, Morrie Mages (with a nod to musical icons, Jim Morrison and Van Morrison).
Something Is…
Something represents Ashley’s unwillingness to follow trends. She believes in creating things that are distinctive, one of a kind and not saturated in the market.
Ashley's passion for personalization stems from her belief that everyone is exceptional and deserves to be celebrated for their individuality. This philosophy is the driving force behind Something, a project that she created to inspire others to embrace their creativity and authenticity.
Something is a project that embodies this ethos and is meant to inspire others to embrace their originality and creativity. It is a project that is close to Ashley's heart as it reflects her love for connecting people, supporting others and giving people a place to truly be themselves.
Ashley's vision for Something goes beyond just creating a space though. She wants each interaction with Something to be tailored to YOU. Something curates clothing, accessories & home goods meant to inspire, excite and obsess over. Whether it's through customized products or personalized experiences, Ashley strives to make sure that every person who walks through the door, who visits the website, or who stumbles into her world feels seen and appreciated for their matchless qualities.
Whether you're looking for a customized product or need help finding the perfect gift for someone who has everything, Ashley is always available to provide personalized advice and recommendations. Think of Ashley as your personal stylist and curation consultant. She understands that each person has their own taste, style and preference, and Ashley strives to create a customer experience built around choice.
But Ashley's commitment to personalization extends beyond just the products and services she offers. She also strives to create a welcoming and supportive community where people can come together and collaborate. Through events, workshops & community gatherings, Something aims to create a warm and unique space that is accessible to all.
At Something, Ashley believes that the key to creating truly memorable and meaningful experiences, is the one on one interactions she has with each person that walks through the door. She understands that people are more than just customers, they are spectacular individuals with their own stories and experiences. By taking the time to get to know each person and tailor their engagement accordingly, Something is able to create a connection that goes beyond just a transaction.
So if you're looking for something that's truly one-of-a-kind, something that celebrates individuality and creativity, then you've come to the right place. No matter what you’re looking for… you’ll always find Something.
Something about Sofia
Something about Sofia is a retail concept unlike any other, featuring curated selections of vintage designer collections, fresh independent brands, and upcycled handmade products by owner, Ashley Zisook Snitz. Something about Sofia delivers customers with eclectic collections of clothing, jewelry, accessories, home goods, art, and one-of-a-kind items, as well as a variety of brands that are exclusive to the boutique, all handpicked by Ashley. Its unique product lines and innovative experiential elements makes it one of the most exciting concept stores in the Chicagoland area.
By embracing the “live lovely” mentality, Something about Sofia is an approachable and inclusive community that encourages customers to embrace their authentic selves while confidently exploring “the new” - in life and fashion.