New designer Alexandra Kaegler

From 2005-2008, Alexandra Kaegler studied fashion and textiles at the University of the West of England and has built her signature style on minimalism, structure and strong clean lines.
In Jun 08 she presented her first A/W09 collection during graduate fashion week in London. With her love of structure and architecture, it is not surprising this collection was inspired by the architecture of the soaring recently restored Antwerp station and its colour scheme of brick red, black, grey and cream. The materials used were wool/cashmere bonded Teflon, laser cut leather sequins and cotton bonded plastic embedded with a print – all choices to create stiffness and strong silhouettes to mimic the structure of the station. The key words for this collection and her subsequent collections are: simple sophistication, minimalism, attention to detail and cut, and the construction of forms.
For her SS10 collection, she brings more opulence and richness to her designs whilst still keeping true to simplicity and the perfect purity of line. Exhibiting the new collection in September at the pop-up showcase hosted by micro-boutique hotel 40WiNKS , she explains that the inspiration for her latest collection came from the belle époque period (1890-1914)and Ballet Russe combining both with the haute couture of the 1920-40’s. She mixes the high stand collar and intricate detailing of the belle époque man’s military jacket with the elegant fitted tailoring worn by the women.
Fluidity and exoticism inspired by the Ballet Russe is seen in the use of luxurious fine silks, silk/cottons, organza and feathers and are complimented by a rich more opulent palette of petroleum, ecru and gold.
Attention to detail in the hand stitched button holes, pleats, French seaming and panels create elegance and simplicity.
This young label is based on the respect for tradition and captures some of the lost and forgotten craftsmanship. Alexandra’s focus is on creating Alexandra K as “a very small, very exclusive house ...going back to the great traditions of luxury French couture – reviving traditions with a contemporary slant”. She explains” I envisage my house as a craftsman’s workshop, rather than a clothes factory” Her prime need of designing fashion is to please and attract; consequently this attraction must never result in uniformity which Alexandra describes as “the mother of boredom”. In order to satisfy her love for architecture and clear-cut designs, Alexandra wants to employ quite a different technique in fashioning clothes from the methods in use – “I want them to be constructed like buildings and bring an air of excitement back to fashion.”
For more information visit her website on www.alexandrakaegler.com