People are talking… our ears are burning. Here’s what they’re saying about us:


Shoutout LA | Meet Shannon Ashford

“What I hope people learn from Tom Foolery is that there are ways of doing what you love and helping change lives in the process.”

Pendo 2021 | Elimu Girls

A 15 min documentary about our incredible girls at Heri Sewing College and how they found a way to flourish during the pandemic.

USA Today | Meet 15 Top Fashion and Apparel Brands Making Strides in the Industry Today | Oct 2021

Shannon Ashford, founder of Tom Foolery, believes in doing things right. The company is known for creating women's drop-seat jumpsuits, allowing ladies to keep their top on when nature calls. Using all sustainable materials, manufacturing is done locally and ethically, with a sewing college in Malindi, Kenya, as a partner.

Rare Magazine Sustainability Issue | June '21

“She even ended up sewing the jumpsuits herself for three years. After a while, through a serendipitous connection, she developed a business partnership with students at a Kenyan Sewing College.”

Rare Magazine Women's Issue | Spring '21 | Cristina Deptubla

“Shannon Ashford, founder of clothing company Tom Foolery, describes herself simply. 'My name is Shannon Ashford and I sew.' Ashford learned to sew as a young girl, from a neighbor who taught her.”

Commerce Chats with Alexis Damen

“I wish I had known to pace myself. There can be such an adrenaline rush involved in starting a business that it’s easy to get caught up in the urgency to prove right now that you can succeed. Success is built. One day at a time, usually in a painstaking but unbelievably satisfying manner.”

Eloquent Woman Magazine

“Starting a clothing company was a dream of mine when I was a kid, but I didn't want to just make clothes, I wanted there to be a purpose.”

Fashinnovation panel : Innovation in Textiles

Watch the full panel with Shannon Ashford, Michael Savarie, Ryan Hunt, and McGregor Madden, mediated by Cassandra Napoli.

Fashinnovation

“Just reading about it makes you feel like you are there, hearing the laughter and conversations Ashford shared with these incredible ladies. The passion they had for sewing reminded her of herself when she first started making clothes.”

Elimu Podcast Channel

Full interview about our work in Malindi and the evolution of Tom Foolery.

Eloquent Magazine

Summer 2019 edition with The Misfit featured on the cover.

Ecommerce CEO - How to Start a Clothing Line

“Figure out your mission, and what it is that sets you apart from everyone else. There are enough clothing companies out there. Why should anyone buy from you? What problem are you solving? How are you making anyone’s life better?” - Shannon Ashford

ENTREPRENUER PODCAST NETWORK

“Meet Shannon Ashford, the SoCal Native Raising the Bar for Fashion Brand Transparency”

VOYAGE LA

“The idea for a drop seat jumpsuit began one night out in college when my friends and I were griping about having to strip naked just to use the bathroom (because you know ladies can never pee alone). I decided then that I was going to figure out a solution.”

THE NATIONAL POST

“I left [Haiti] feeling that my work wasn’t over and I can continue making a difference in their lives and giving them opportunities. It made me really proud of the company I started.”

National Film and Television Awards

“Tom Foolery provides bespoke and handmade clothing, with custom fitted jumpsuits to ensure that your order fits perfectly. Their garments show class and elegance, whilst at the same time are practical and are suited for your every need, whatever the occasion.”

ECOCULT

“NEED : Tom Foolery makes beautiful yet practically-designed jumpsuits and rompers that allow you to be comfortable, look classy, and move freely all at once.”

FASHION Magazine

“The entire process takes around two seconds and is somehow even more convenient than a regular pair of pants. While a jumpsuit that’s easy to go to the bathroom in seems like it must be some sort of witchcraft, I promise you this is real life. I don’t think I can ever go back.”

SUSTAIN THE MAG

“Being a designer myself, I love the cleverness of how the piece was cut. I was lucky to get two of the newest models of jumpsuits and it was a breeze putting it on. It is made as one long piece that you can wrap around you.”

MICRO MACRO MAGAZINE

“Ashford’s models ended the show with an unapologetic demonstration of the jumpsuits functionality surprising SS19 attendees with the dropseat design of each piece made for the modern dresser. Ashford’s pieces were classic, yet daring with clever cuts and features manifesting in a striking show.”

MAINE ETHICS

“Because I'm so inspired by entrepreneurial women who put sustainability and ethics at the forefront of their businesses, I asked Shannon a few questions.”