The inspiration behind this collection was all things galactic. The structured pieces were met with geometric cutouts, detailed seam work, and high contrast fabric combinations of pebbled leather and wool.
The collection was layered with multiple custom prints inspired by spaceship blueprints and planetary terrain. The silk prints carried detailed imagery of chainlink rope with charm-like elements, while the specialty dipped stretch fabrics implemented a marbled topography.
Hints of color were speckled throughout the prints with saturated burnt crimson, dark steely blue, and a golden mustard. These played nicely with the structured woolens color palette, which was primarily in black, cream, marbled gray, and brilliant white.
A hand-painted set in cool, lunar-surface tones allowed the colors of the collection to illuminate. The model was selected and styled to be an elegant yet powerful creature, evoking an otherworldly presence.
Creative Direction | Branding | Photo Shoot Art Driection | Styling | Set Design | Talent Acquisition
This case study shows elements from a project for which I was responsible for the product design, brand direction, and photo shoot art direction. The goal: create The Perfect Weekender Bag. Built for the journey and designed for adventure, inspired by New York, and MADE in New York. This collection focused on that perfect sport chic weekender bag with a sophisticated aesthetic, and modern style for modern people
For the design, I sought to create something beautiful, durable, and made in NYC. For the construction I sourced technically coated Italian leather, hardware and swiss zippers, lending itself to a very polished finish.
The production of this piece was incredibly important, specifically because of the tremendous amount of detail in the design, so I decided to do the production with one of the oldest factories here in New York that still utilizes the technique of hand painted the leather edges (think Celine and LV). The entire piece is Made by hand here in the city.
The images shown here are a few tears from a promotional printed look book, which includes images from two separate photo shoots on which I headed-up the art direction, product photography, styling, image selection and post production direction.
Creative Direction | Branding | Product Design and Development | Photo Shoot Art Driection | Styling | Talent Acquisition | Typography |Graphic Design & Layout | Animation Design
A Spring/Summer collection inspired by desert heat. Soft muted creams and pastels merge with rich jewel tones reflecting the opulence of the Maharaja. Custom prints of pink snakeskin, and hand drawn jeweled charms, evoke a soft, yet powerful presence.
For the photo shoot art direction, I opted for an urban echo of the desert with a hand painted set reminiscent of concrete and the heat of Summer. The beautiful yet gritty tonal gray created a perfect backdrop to the soft pastels and draped suit silhouettes, while providing a stark contrast to the pop of jewel toned fabric.
For the makeup, I wanted to create a very sun exposed look and achieved this with a bronzed Barbora, bleaching her eyebrows, and adding only shimmery elements to her lips and lids. For the hair, a Mad Max texture was created, with metal hardware wrapped around loose tattered braids. The same hardware was layered onto her fingers and a cool gray polish was applied.
Creative Direction | Design | Photo Shoot Art Direction | Styling | Set Design | Talent Acquisition
A stark white studio and erroneous objects played mind games with Britt Maren in this video shot and edited by Shruti Ganguly. For the styling and art direction, closeups of textured netting overlays, crisp striped chiffon and custom buttons drove focus to the collection's motocross inspiration.
Art Driection | Styling | Collection Design
This collection was designed with the concept of merging two divergent themes: motocross racing gear and classic fox-hunting attire. The tailored jackets and trousers were created to be both bold and functional with reinforced knees, shoulder and elbow patches, physician's sleeves with custom military buttons, and detailed lapels with classic quilted top-stitching. Tough hardware was used throughout the collection to give the tailoring an air of indestructibility.
The custom suiting fabrics included gunmetal and olive micro-houndstooth. The structured pieces were juxtaposed with quilted wool motorcycle jackets.
The Lafayette House was selected for the shoot to reiterate the classic theme while model Mila de Wit added a fresh modern tone to the imagery.
Creative Direction | Design | Photo Shoot Art Driection | Styling | Location Scouting | Talent Acquisition
Inspired by a subaquatic world, this collection honed in on Jacques Cousteau's coastal habitat with watery prints, leather-trim trousers and flowing gill-like details. The tailored pieces were given a lighter feel with tropical weight wools, and dip-dyed cotton linen blends, while the fluid-like crepe de chine pieces were added to create an effortless flowly option.
The cut-and-sew Japanese melange layering pieces merchandized nicely with airy knits in soft lavender and powder gray. The custom underwater prints were done on soft chiffon, bold hammered satin and silk knife pleats to add varying elements of texture.
Wanting to create a soft backdrop to the undersea inspiration, a room in the Chelsea Hotel was selected that provided a fresh, whisper pink balance, which masterfully illuminated the collection's diverse palette.
Creative Direction | Clothing Design | Print Design | Photo Shoot Art Driection | Styling | Location Seletion | Talent Acquisition
Driven to create an undone, yet tailored wardrobe, this collection was inspired by Nirvana and the spirit of the 90s - being that I was born in Seattle nothing could feel more appropriate than an informal applause to grunge era days.
Layering was a key element to this collection, and all pieces were created to be worn draped and layered throughout. Saturated mustard and rich burgundy were key colors, and the beautiful Japanese plaids and lightweight suiting highlighted the grunge chic inspiration.
The set design was clean and pale, allowing the model to showcase the clothing with a dazed and confused appeal.
Creative Direction | Design | Photo Shoot Art Driection | Styling | Set Design | Talent Acquisition
Collages created in multiple mediums for a client requesting collection designs for four distinctive archetypes. The inspiration boards created a dynamic illustration and a realistic portrait of the persona of each character.
An empty factory location was scouted that offered a huge expanse of white and endless rows of oil heaters, which perfectly reflected the panels of silk crepe de chine in the collection's signature pantsuit. The film was directed and edited by Shruti Ganguly, who layered in the music to channel the ethereal silhouettes in the collection. My custom hammered satin jelly fish print design played a lovely contrast to the location.
Art Driection | Styling | Print Design | Collection Design | Talent Acquisition
The concept behind the unique e-commerce platform was to create a Tailor Shop which provided soft customization for a made in New York wardrobe. The shop was launched with four pivotal identities: The Classic, The Executive, The Weekender, and The Vixen. These four silhouettes were selected to be the essentials of any tailored wardrobe, and the custom shop allowed each identity to be customized in size, color, lining, button and other specialty finishes including enclosed embroidery coined the "Covert Credo".
The photoshoot for this was specifically geared towards an e-commerce client, and the unique challenge was utilizing one model, and styling her based on the essence of each Tailor Shop identity.
Phase one of the shop was online orders only, immediately followed by in house appointments and wardrobe customization events. I designed the print cards and invitation included in this case study, opting for a classic tailor shop aesthetic in the etched designs and typography.
Creative Direction | Design Art Driection | Styling | Talent Acquisition
I designed this collection with two concepts in mind: an arid desert and Miami Vice. The silhouettes were uncomplicated and meant to be rolled-up, bunched and tucked, while the constant use of the muted turquoise echoed the colors of Miami's Art Deco District just off of Lincoln Road.
The tailored pieces offered unique closures and hardware, deep pockets for exaggerated posture, and elements of surprise with inconspicuous zip-off sleeves which could instantly transform a blazer for Summer heat.
The soft pieces were fluid and drapeable, custom dipped dyed and luxurious, playing an easy understudy to the lightweight custom cotton ikat prints. Handmade chain and tassel accessories were designed and sold as wrap-around belts for full length pieces, while petite versions were used as wrappable chokers, bracelets and accents for the soft underpinnings.
The set design was simple and effective - opting for an isolated skull and a warmly lit spartan space, selected for its exposed raw elements and bleached wood floors.
Creative Direction | Clothing and Accessory Design | Photo Shoot Art Driection | Styling | Set Design | Talent Acquisition
These selected look book tears highlight the collection's inspiration: a soft nod to Bianca Jagger during her Studio 54 era with lived in linen blazers, silk slip dresses and gemmed-up accent pieces.
Custom prints layered with electric pops partnered with the rich saturation of the poppy-hued suiting. The oversized pearl jewelry that I designed, was created for use as necklaces, bolo ties, and bracelets.
The clean gray set was inspired by the Brooke Shields Calvin Klein jeans campaign, and allowed for playful postures and bold poses to set the stage for the look.
Creative Direction | Photo Shoot Art Driection | Clothing & Accessory Design
A sit down and style session with Susanna Lau (Susie Bubble) and her pet gold fish during NYFW. The video was created as part of the Alex & Eli + Susie Bubble collaboration.
Creative Driection | Marketing
A collection of press received, marketing materials, collaborations, and other highlights.
Marketing campaign made during the launch of the e-commerce platform The Tailor Shop: A soft customization platform dedicated to custom blazers and guest Tailoresses. The Man Repeller + Alex & Eli and Natalie Off Duty + Alex & Eli featured their collaborations at the Soho House event.