Alexander Lewis
A quick story for you, back in 2008 I met someone who, has quietly turned into one of my most inspiring friends. Alexander Lewis. I’ve watched him carefully select his career choices that has led him to where he is today, & this is just the beginning for him. Before I share some look book shots with you, I wanted to tell you a little more about the man I know. Half American, half Brazilian, & born in Chicago, Alexander was schooled in London, only to return to the US, for his college education. Now Alex travels frequently, back and forth to his family home in Bahia, Brazil to visiting his grandmother in Aspen, this was where his inspiration fell for Pre-Fall 2013.
2012 saw the beginning of his own label, after quite the eclectic journey, from working at the famed vintage store Decades in LA, assisting Andre Leon Talley, being an award winning personal shopper at London’s Harrods, to some serious training on Saville Row with Norton&Sons & E. Tautz. Alas 2012 was his time to return to his first love, womenswear. Much to my excitement, “can you name a dress after me?” I think was my first comment. For his first collection, inspired by the women and beach style of his much loved Bahia (ah and that’s why there is still no dress named after me), think razor sharp tailoring, crisp lines, beautiful heavy luxe knit dresses that shimmered, and cut-out panel silk dresses. I have some images at the bottom of this post.
Back to Aspen and his inspiration. I was lucky to see Alex’s second collection while we were both in Paris mid January, I was there for Maison et Objet, Alex was presenting to his respective buyers and journalists. These images show some of my favourite looks, I’m looking forward to buying a couple of pieces! So Aspen, exactly what is the Aspen look when you’re not in your ski gear? Alex explains that he looked at all aspects of his surroundings when he was there last, the architecture (note the way the wood panels behind the model in the images look like chalet roof tops) the natural environment (translated by Alex from the silver birch trees in the forest and turned into a silk jacquard fabric for the trousers). Look at all the V shapes in his clothes. I mention ski wear, but even Alex’s memories of the retro ski all-in-one suits have resulted into the odd flared trouser leg. I love it. All of it.
These knits above, I adore, definitely on my wish list. Before I go I just wanted to share some images I took last year of Alex’s studio. You can see a glimpse of his Resort collection, the colours were just heavenly. So here you are, my wonderfully talented friend Alexander Lewis. Be sure to check out his site www.alexanderlewis.eu.
Look book shots courtesy of Alexander Lewis
Studio shots by LWSY