Alex London – Singular Fashion Revelations by Decimononic

We at Decimononic are more than willing to express our adoration for fellow designers, as such inspirational artists will inspire our own creativity. But it’s not just about taking inspiration from the designs, we admire the Alex London design ethos, the things that have inspired her own collections and how she has represented these in her own work.

So much more than a brand that you will find in a department store, if you have been lucky enough to go to one of her shows you will have found atmosphere among other things. The dresses are long, feminine and ultra flowing. Think pastel pink and cream shades. Blink and the show will have instantly turned into a bleak winter scene, with elaborately dark head pieces and a cool grey that could represent the dirt stained snow and ice. Also you will notice that the models will have walked with bare feet. This is, in the designers own words to ‘Be at one with the earth’.

Kagami means ‘mirror’ in Japanese, this is also the name chosen for her 2011 fall winter show. It’s tribal at first glance, we love how the designer weaves together bohemian and Gothic in one delectable collection. Look at the hauntingly beautiful use of feathers as part of the dresses and their head pieces. The large black feathers around the collar of a slinky black outfit give the dress a figure flattering feel but also a sinister one. In either case it is a style that we just adore.

One will find more than a hint of the Orient too. A silken wrap around dress in the style of a kimono can be combined with punky skull or antler inspired head piece. Bones and feathers combine with the models skin to create a beautiful monster. ‘We are all animals’, the designer has claimed and this ideal is apparent in her work. Long silken fabrics add the ethereal feel that is so feminine, take a look closer at the tailored seams and concertina effect chiffon fabrics. It is as if she instinctively knows what will work with the human form. Like an artist who has mastered her art, perhaps this was a talent that she was just born with. Not only does she work with the classical aspects too, one example is how the designer uses the timeless LBD or Little Black Dress.

Her stylish variations of them are exciting. Each very wearable dress is shaped differently with their own individual aspects to them. To create such a varied collection is no easy task, but it is one which Alex London pulls off with flair as well as ease. There is something to appeal to everyone on Alex London’s catwalk! Don’t be surprised to find tailored favorites such as the tux with blazer and silken edging. Look out for jeweled panels which add more than a hint of the precious to her dresses and accessories. The strong shamanistic elements to the dresses as well as the obvious Gothic/alternative influences are intriguing to us. Alex London designs ‘take off’ like a bird, away from the mainstream even though it has this as it’s heart. There are so many links to the alternative styles, something that in the past would render an outfit practically unwearable.  You will not find over the top, purposely attention seeking outfits here. The skulls look surprisingly at home, a natural part of the outfit as opposed to an accessory that is designed to shock. Although these dresses will get noticed just not in all the obvious ways.

‘Edgy’, ‘tasteful’, ‘sophisticated’ and ‘enticing’ are all words that we think can attach themselves to the collections by Alex London. A designer who caters to so many tastes, individual with a classic twist, but above all she is one that does not hold back. We are huge fans of this highly innovative designer and look forwards to future collections.

Useful links: Alex London Fashion official website, Facebook and Twitter.

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Edit 2nd July 2013.- We are most glad to include a handful of questions that José Francisco Alfaya from Decimononic had opportunity to ask Alex London herself. Enjoy this bonus micro-interview:

Q.- A plethora of influences may be found in your designs, which are your main sources of inspiration?

Alex London (AL).- That’s a really hard thing to pinpoint. It changes as I change, so I really can’t give you a definitive answer. Sorry!

Q.- How would you define your personal style?

AL.- For me personally, I’m more the type to wear a tank, skinny jeans, boots, and over-sized leather coats. I guess I’d call it a throw back to 90’s punk/grunge.

Q.- There is no doubt that accessories play an important role in the fashion field. How does the symbiosis between attire and jewelry enhance your designs?

AL.- Ooh… hm… It depends on the look that I’m developing but sometimes the garments happen first or the jewelry. I love the depth that accessories give to an outfit, much like a johnny depp in the ‘pirates’ movies it was all about the depth he looked very well traveled and I am always trying to have that same amount of depth and texture in an outfit.

Q.- How do you balance creativity with commerce?

AL.- HAH! I don’t! I do stuff I want to see, I really don’t care about a consumer’s mind set for the most part. When I am doing a ready to wear line its just stuff I want to wear for the next season… I’m a bit greedy I just want to steal the samples hehe.

Q.- Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?

AL.- Who knows! I certainly don’t.

Obviously we cannot otherwise but thank sincerely Alex London’s collaboration.

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