Step into the universe of the good creatives within the style business with our new collection My World, the place readers will uncover how the highest stylists, designers, and tastemakers constructed their careers; their favourite under-the-radar eating places and lodges, beloved deep-cut album, and style finds; etiquette guidelines they stand by; and a lot extra.
The 12 months was 2007. Photographs of a then pretty unknown Brit appeared in weblog posts on-line and the pages of magazines. She was attending Glastonbury Music Competition clad in a leather-based bike jacket, striped tee, denim shorts, and tight over-the-knee boots. She appeared seemingly out of nowhere and shortly took maintain of the zeitgeist in a method that would solely actually occur within the mid-2000s. Her title was Alexa Chung and her je ne sais quoi was as troublesome to place your finger on because it was influential.
For many people, the primary “type icon” who ever held affect over us was none aside from Chung. Lengthy earlier than the social media algorithms or Pinterest boards, there was somewhat web site referred to as Tumblr.com, the place you’d seek for and acquire style and cultural inspiration, and Chung was its reigning queen supreme.
Flash ahead to the current day, and Chung is the multi-hyphenate supreme, floating effortlessy between inventive pursuits and deftly defying any single concrete label. On the one hand, she’s a broadcast creator. Her espresso desk ebook, It, comprised of private writings, drawings, and pictures, was printed in 2014, and she or he’s an everyday contributor to the The Monetary Occasions. However she’s additionally a mannequin, having walked latest runways for Chloé and Miu Miu, and when she’s not modeling, she’s seated entrance row at their exhibits. And lest we neglect she’s a designer in her personal proper, too, having helmed her eponymous ready-to-wear label from 2017 to 2022, and she or he is presently collaborating with Madewell on her third capsule assortment for the model.
Forward, Chung shares extra about her profession journey that led her to the final word It-girl title, her perpetually sold-out collaboration Madewell, the place she likes to spend her uncommon downtime whereas at dwelling in London, and a lot extra. Step into Chung’s world.
You’ve worn so many hats over time, out of your design and enterprise ventures to being a broadcast creator. I am certain it is unimaginable to decide on, however if you happen to needed to drop the whole lot to give attention to one factor, what wouldn’t it be?
I might like to be a inventive director as a result of that job encompasses the whole lot. I do take pleasure in design, however I additionally love artwork path and eager about eager about how individuals put on the. Is aware of, and the life that they stay past that second and storytelling, clearly, it is fairly necessary to me, so I take pleasure in all of that. You get to do the copywriting for the web site, however you additionally get to seed out the gifting and eager about technique with influences or no matter. And also you’re doing design and styling and marketing campaign imagery, and also you’re on the high of the funnel.
You’ve got simply launched the third installment of your assortment for Madewell. What had been a number of the references in your temper board when designing this one?
I wished it to be much more private and a celebration of my very own wardrobe and private type. I had this wonderful picture on my temper board of Fran Lebowitz, who’s clearly an iconic New York character. There’s an incredible picture of her on a white couch or armchair at an Oscars celebration, and to me, it evoked the precise ambiance and feeling that I used to be making an attempt to create on this assortment, which is that type of holiday-season celebration the place you are dressed up. On this explicit picture, she’s carrying a tuxedo, however our response to it, I made a tuxedo jumpsuit, which I actually love as a result of it is informal but in addition dressed-up.
Should you might solely purchase one piece this newest drop, which wouldn’t it be?
I’d get the Ronnie Leather-based Fringe Jacket. I personally discover that one irresistible. It is actually good, and it is simply going to get higher with age.
What’s one merchandise in your purchasing record for the time being?
I really like sneakers for the time being which might be almond toe mini heels, like a contemporary tackle an ’80s heel. I really like which you could put on that with thick socks, and you are feeling fairly put collectively, even if you happen to’re in denim and a sweatshirt. An surprising coloured sock after which these little ’80s sneakers would look so cute.
What would you say is essentially the most quintessentially British factor about your wardrobe?
It is that I’ve obtained extra outerwear and coats than I’ve anything. There’s really an actual downside when it comes to house versus actuality. Despite the fact that I’ve a wardrobe, I’ve a rolling rack of simply coats as a result of I haven’t got sufficient house. I really like outerwear a lot, so I feel that is just like the inform that I am a Brit as a result of I am actually dedicated to surviving all climate and nonetheless going outdoors. I will not take the cab. I am going to stroll to the tube regardless.
You’ve worn so many iconic appears over time. Is there one that you just look again on fondly? What’s the story behind the way it got here to life?
The primary one which involves thoughts is the Loewe silk gown with the trompe l’oeil trench coat printed onto it. I simply need to personal that, and [after I borrowed it to wear to the 2023 British Vogue Forces For Change party] the courier got here to select it up at 9am the subsequent morning, like Cinderella, and I simply give it some thought on a regular basis. I feel I might put on it on a regular basis.
Many think about you a mode icon, however who would you say are your individual type icon(s)?
I feel Fran Lebowitz for sticking to her weapons and carrying only one look, basically. Then, there’s this model in Paris referred to as Husbands that does males’s tailoring. The designer and proprietor, Nicolas Gabard, is the chicest man on the planet. After which, I really like Mrs. Prada. I imply, nonetheless conserving us on our toes, like when she got here out to take a bow [at the end of the Prada spring/summer 2026 show] and was carrying a silk scarf. After which I do discover myself outdated photos of Lee Radziwill, particularly when she’s in her 40s or 50s, she began carrying loads of one shoulder robes.
What’s one element about your house that folks can be stunned by?
I really like placing photos in bizarre locations. This can be a print by Tracy Emin that I really like and I hung it on my bed room door. It makes a extremely annoying clanging noise once you open the door however I put up with it as a result of I really like the way it appears.
The place is your favourite native spot that appears like an extension of your house?
I really like Dover Road Market in London. I’ve lunch there on the Rose Bakery alone on a regular basis.
What’s the one journey vacation spot you possibly can cease dreaming about?
Le Sireneuse. I went in early summer season to this beautiful lodge in Positano and discover myself scrolling again to the photographs to admire their interiors and the power vistas.
What’s an merchandise you deliver to maintain your self grounded when touring?
Charvet slippers. I ended up getting the silver pair however now want I obtained pink! What they lack in friendliness they greater than make up for in mega shirts and pajamas. Haha.
What’s Alexa Chung‘s final celebration trick?
Me and my buddies play loads of Trivial Pursuit however with out the board. You all as a staff should get by one card earlier than you possibly can go to mattress and it often takes far too lengthy. Sports activities actually journeys us up.
Since Manhattan was an enormous supply of inspiration in your Madewell assortment, that are your favourite quintessentially New York movies that you just revisited?
I feel there’s one thing actually enjoyable about observing American tradition as an outsider and romanticizing it, and what helps me drive that dwelling, in my thoughts, is all the films that I watched or affiliate with Manhattan. Manhattan, Annie Corridor, after which additionally Taxi Driver, even truthfully, like Die Exhausting and Celebration Woman, that film Parker Posey’s in.
What band or album you presently listening to on repeat?
I really like Fontaine’s DC. I caught their gig at Finsbury Park just lately.
You’re extensively thought to be an It lady and even the title of your ebook is a reference. What’s your relationship like with that time period, and has it modified over time?
I feel that once I first began, that was complicated to individuals in Britain, as a result of I’d write issues for a newspaper on the time, after which I’d host a TV present, after which I’d make garments. That was 2007 and so they’d be like “Oh, she’s an It lady.”
These days, it does not essentially resonate with me, however I do discover it an fascinating time period for different individuals. I do not assume the time period will ever go away, both, as a result of it’s so thrilling and highly effective when when somebody turns up and provides a brand new vitality that feels actually fashionable, and you’ll’t actually describe what that issue or that attract, or that charisma is that they possess.
Are there any style eras your closet has seen that you just by no means need to relive?
Peter Pan collars make me unwell at this level. Like, I simply can’t. Even a Mary Jane, to a sure extent.
If we had been to peek into your digicam roll, what would we see loads of?
I randomly take loads of photos of fonts for inspiration for graphic design sooner or later in case I would like them for T-shirts or different initiatives.
Store Alexa Chung for Madewell
Alexa Chung for Madewell
Vacationer Hoodie
Alexa Chung for Madewell
Ronnie Leather-based Fringe Jacket
Alexa Chung for Madewell
Lou Poplin Shirt
Alexa Chung for Madewell
Courtney Satin Slip Costume
Alexa Chung for Madewell
Mick Satin Observe Pant
Alexa Chung for Madewell
Floral Brooch
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