Ashley & Colton - Founder of Throwing Tiny Fits & Social Community Coo –Timeless Leather Designs, Crafted in Japan

The West End of Downtown Portland is lined with trees, coffee shops, and independent boutiques, a popular destination for tourists and locals alike, and for this lucky family, it is home. It’s easy to spot the Thornton-Tong family walking around the city where they both work and live. They’re usually wearing some eye-catching prints or some assortment of statement accessories, their daughter Poppy keeping up with her parents on a scooter. Poppy is the model and muse for mom's online kids' clothing shop: Throwing Tiny Fit

Tsuchiya Kaban’s ambassador Ashley Thornton wearing a black hat, denim jacket, and light-colored pants sits on a pink sofa, looking down at a young child.

Tsuchiya Kaban’s ambassador Ashley Thornton wearing a black hat, denim jacket, and a long beige skirt is seen from the side, looking through clothes on a rack. a Tsuchiya Kaban’s Original Nume Vase Shoulder in Brown is worn across their body. A small child, seen from behind, is looking up at Ashley.

A close-up of Tsuchiya Kaban’s ambassador Ashley Thornton in a denim jacket and a long beige skirt, with a Tsuchiya Kaban’s Original Nume Vase Shoulder in Brown hanging at their hip. Their hand is reaching down to hold the hands of daughter Poppy, whose back is visible in the lower right corner.

Creativity under lockdown

Poppy’s Mother Ashley, a stylist, had been working in the fashion industry for many years and started Throwing Tiny Fits from her own living room, during a pandemic when Poppy was a baby. “During Covid lockdown I was feeling so isolated with a newborn baby, which spiraled into postpartum depression. I wasn't going to work everyday and being a part of the world, I was feeling disconnected from fashion and culture, the things that bring me the most happiness in this world. I knew I had to make a change, no one was going to do it for me. I had to find my way back to myself. As a new mom I wanted to become self-employed, so I created a job that was both creative and flexibile, that's how Throwing Tiny Fits came to be. Starting an online shop meant that I could be there for myself as a Creative and be there for Poppy as a Mother.”

Throwing Tiny Fits online shop was an instant success, Ashley also started selling at various local markets in Portland, giving her a platform to connect with like-minded parents, many going through similar experiences. She built the business one day a time, and as it grew so did her confidence in herself. Ashley’s eye for style and graphics set her apart from the rest of the industry, and she’s been able to keep her prices competitive, making it a win for stylish families everywhere. Between local Portland pop-ups and her online presence, her following has exploded in the last 3 years since she started, and last month Throwing Tiny Fits was featured in Vogue Magazine.

Tsuchiya Kaban’s ambassador Ashley Thornton wearing a black hat, denim jacket, and a long beige skirt is bending down next to her daughter Poppy, who is looking directly at the viewer. Ashley has a Tsuchiya Kaban’s Original Nume Vase Shoulder in Brown across their body.

It's all in the Family

Getting dressed for the day is a family affair, “We often start with bags or hats, and build the look to work around it” the family tells us. Both Ashley and Colton are fans of Tsuchiya bags for their superior quality, timelessness and style. Ashley owns ORIGIN OILNUME Vase Shoulder in Dark Brown, durable enough for her everyday life as a mom carrying snacks and toys, as well as everything she needs for her work day. When she doesn’t have the time to switch up her bag, she said she’s grateful that the bag works for any occasion or fashion moment, looks just as good with a cute dress as it does with cargo pants and sneakers.

Tsuchiya Kaban’s ambassador Colton Tong with a beard, wearing a hat, patterned jacket, and light-colored pants, sits in a black office chair in front of a white desk. He is looking at a laptop or similar device on the desk. A large window behind him shows outdoor trees with some red foliage, suggesting autumn. On the floor next to the desk, there is a Tsuchiya Kaban’s Urbano Urban Briefcase in brown.

A Tsuchiya Kaban’s Urbano Urban Briefcase in brown with a top handle and a zippered front pocket is lying on a polished wooden floor. Behind it, several stacks of vinyl records are visible, some in crates and some leaning against a white furniture leg.

Shopping is an investment in the future

Colton, Ashley's partner and Poppy's Father, is a freelance Influencer Marketing Manager and Social Community Coordinator, whose knowledge of street culture and fashion runs deep. Colton has an affinity for all things Japanese, and has a talent for sourcing the best of Japanese Fashion, which is how he found Tsuchiya Kaban. He loved the tradition and history of the brand and the fact that it was all handmade in Japan, he knew that was a level of quality he could trust. His bag of choice is the Urbano Urban Briefcase in Brown, which he styles with a camouflage jacket, playing with the contrast of a professional and tailored accessory mixed with streetwear. “I regard shopping as an investment in the future. These leather sneakers I’m wearing today I’ve had for 16 years, they’re well made and timeless. Actually, when they were 10 years old, they got even better!” Colton sees the potential in his Tsuchiya briefcase “I can’t wait for it to age 10 years too”.

Tsuchiya Kaban’s ambassador Colton Tong with a long beard and a blue bucket hat is sitting on a windowsill, looking into a Tsuchiya Kaban’s Urbano Urban Briefcase in brown he is holding. He is wearing a camouflage-patterned jacket and light-colored pants. His daughter Poppy with hair in a bun and wearing glasses and a light-colored top stands in front of him, looking up at what he's doing.

Tsuchiya Kaban’s ambassador Ashley Thornton with a bob haircut, wearing a black wide-brimmed hat, a denim jacket, and light brown pants, is sitting on a pink sofa. A Tsuchiya Kaban’s Original Nume Vase Shoulder in Brown is slung across her body.

A close-up shot of Tsuchiya Kaban’s ambassador Colton Tong with a patterned jacket and light-colored pants, holding open a Tsuchiya Kaban’s Original Nume Vase Shoulder in Brown. Their hand is reaching into a zippered pocket of the bag. His daughter Poppy, partially visible on the right, is looking towards the bag and holding a toy in their hand.

Tsuchiya Kaban’s ambassador Ashley, Colton, and their daughter Poppy stand together indoors. Colton, on the left, has a beard and wears a patterned jacket and a hat, holding a Tsuchiya Kaban’s Urbano Urban Briefcase in brown. Ashley, on the right, wears a black hat, a denim jacket, and a long beige dress, with a Tsuchiya Kaban’s Original Nume Vase Shoulder in Brown. She is holding Poppy, who is wearing a light-colored outfit and round sunglasses.

Tsuchiya Kaban’s ambassador Colton Tong sitting on a window seat reaches out to gently touch his daughter Poppy’s nose. Poppy is being held by Ashley standing nearby. Colton wears a blue bucket hat, glasses, and a patterned jacket, and has a Tsuchiya Kaban’s Urbano Urban Briefcase in brown. Ashley wears a black wide-brimmed hat, a denim jacket, and a tan skirt.

“Creativity is the culture of our Family"

“Through taking care of ourselves and nurturing our own creative hearts, we hope to teach Poppy to do the same for herself. Whatever life throws at you, be it a global pandemic or a baby, it's up to you to make it happen for yourself”.

Throwing Tiny Fits
@throwingtinyfits / HP

Colton Tong
@continue_reading