FASHION CONFESSIONS: ALEXIS BARRELL Designer

Born in Johannesburg, South Africa, Alexis studied architecture in Cape Town, before setting off for Paris where she achieved a distinction in fashion design at the Istituto Marangoni. Next was New York, to perfect the art of draping under the guidance of couturier Marc Bouwer, who helped her to develop her intuitive feel for bias-cut silks and seamless forms.
A free-spirited creative who has lived and worked in many cities around the world, Alexis Barrell has combined her love of travel and freedom with elegant, old-world sense of fantasy. Each collection is presented as a journey, where all colors, prints and forms are explorations of the culture of each destination.

WHAT’S YOUR FASHION ADDICTION?
Big white shirts.

WHAT’S INSPIRED THIS SEASON’S COLLECTION?
SS13 was inspired by the South African Karoo dessert, nostalgia, freshness, Francesca Woodman and my uncle's antique African botanical books.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONAL STYLE?
I would describe my personal style as natural, eclectic and feminine.

WHOSE YOUR STYLE ICON?
I have a few…Charlotte Rampling, Anna Karina, Francoise Sagan.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT LIVING IN LONDON?
I love London because it is in the middle of everywhere else!

ONE THING YOU COULDN’T LIVE WITHOUT?
Pasta.

Alexis Barrell’s S/S 13 collection is now available on MY WARDROBE.