Like his father, the design legend David Hicks, Ashley Hicks has become one of the pillars of the architecture and design world. He does interior design work. He has furniture collections. He creates fabrics and rugs under the David Hicks by Ashley Hicks label. He's written a book about his father, too.
Below, Ashley Hicks takes time off from his packed schedule to talk about ideas and hard work, active instructions in museums, and sometimes being mistaken for a girl.
When I wake up... I check the sky.
Before I go to bed... I read a few pages of Trollope or Franzen. Okay, actually, that's in bed.
A well-dressed man/woman... is something to enjoy. Not, I must admit, something that I've ever managed to be.
Women should always... maintain the mystery.
Men should never... attempt to do the same.
The best thing that's been said about me... "You always ruin everything," (from my daughters, constantly -- joking, I hope!)
The biggest misconception about me... is that I'm David Hicks's daughter, but then Ashley is more often a girl's name. Not quite Johnny Cash's "boy named Sue," but almost.
If I weren't doing what I'm doing today... I'd be lost.
My legacy... will be some rather chaotic rooms that my girls will have to dismantle.
A great idea... comes without conscious thought. Then comes the hard work to make it real.
Botox is... poison, isn't it?
My mother... likes to come over in the evening and watch movies in my seaweed-green cinema.
The soundtrack of my life... features Lykke Li, Bessie Smith, Mina and Alison Mosshart.
The future... is what I drew as a child. Now it's less clear.
Happiness... is being with someone I love. Corny, but true.
There's a time and place for... pretty much everything.
There is too much... educational content in museums. They should be passive places of discovery, not active ones of teaching.
In the end... I'll be buried next to my parents in an Oxfordshire churchyard. They have a stumpy obelisk of my design. One of my girls will have to think of something for me.
All photos with permission from Ashley Hicks.
Follow me on Twitter and Instagram: @bluecarreon
Read more from me on Style Intel.
Support HuffPost
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.
Whether you come to HuffPost for updates on the 2024 presidential race, hard-hitting investigations into critical issues facing our country today, or trending stories that make you laugh, we appreciate you. The truth is, news costs money to produce, and we are proud that we have never put our stories behind an expensive paywall.
Would you join us to help keep our stories free for all? Your contribution of as little as $2 will go a long way.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you’ll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.