Name and Year: Alexis Richards, 2015 Hometown: Morristown, NJ Major: Maybe Sociology? Arts & Crafts! Medium of Choice: Faux Fur. Just kidding, I couldn’t sew fur to save my life. But I do kind of live in it. I recently learned how to sew sequined fabric, though. That’s pretty fun. Website: maytermbyalexis.blogspot.com.
Street: How involved are you in terms of production? Do you sew the clothes yourself? Tell us about your process. Alexis Richards: I have minions working in Haus of Switza. That’s a lie, of course I sew my own stuff, occasionally with a little help. It’d be really cool to be a high–profile designer and own factories where my clothes were made, but I am only eighteen...
Street: How do you integrate color? Is working with color a preliminary or final step? AR: Color and I do not get along. My life is a perpetual funeral. I will design with some color and fun fabrics, though, to keep things interesting. For example, I’m really into dark green and make a lot of things that end up being that color. That may also be because I bought roughly ten yards of this dark green jersey one time and I swear it’s multiplying.
Street: Do you have a body type/model in mind before you sketch out your designs? AR: A fabulously curvaceous Grand Madame. Or, you know, me. Then I can wear it.
Street: What step of designing/implementing is the most challenging part of your process? AR: Pattern–making! It's impossible! I'll start sketching and be so jazzed about what I'm making, but then I hit the point where I have to cut out my designs and it takes me forever because it's just so tedious and boring. I'm in that phase right now. I'd much rather just stare at my fabric and pretend it's all ready to be sewn.
Street: Where do you draw the line between practicality and creativity in your designs? Is there a distinguishing line between the two? AR: I’m pretty practical. Unless you’re, like, Kate and Laura Mulleavy, I don’t see the point in making things you can’t wear. The coolest thing for me is seeing my clothes on people the way I imagined they’d look. I don’t really want to put something out there that I’ll never have a chance of seeing walk past me down the street. However, I think you can be creatively practical. I made this sick pair of wrap front harem pants once. They’re so different but still very ready–to–wear. I love that.
Street: What's the craziest article of clothing you've ever made? AR: I spent a good four hours stenciling words onto a shirt with velveteen fabric paint. Yup. It was paint, and then I steamed it and made velveteen. I felt like a fashion mad scientist.
Street: Who are your favorite designers? Where would you say you get most of your inspiration? AR: Marc Jacobs and Alexander McQueen, but everyone says that. Honestly, I couldn’t choose. I love Rodarte, Isabel Marant, Balmain, Alexander Wang, etc. Most of my inspiration comes from random places. One of my collections was inspired by a visit to a battered women’s shelter (all proceeds from that project were donated to the shelter), and the one I’m working on for the Spring Fashion Show is inspired by a music video.
Street: What do you see for yourself in terms of designing in the future? AR: Doggie Couture. Do you watch Westminister? Honestly, though, I don’t see myself actually becoming a designer. At the moment I’m more interested in fashion journalism and public relations. You never know!
