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By Kristine Hartman
FASHION Q&A: What destination, if any, inspired your collection?
ALEXIS LAMONTAGNA: It was a combination of destination and time
period. The glamour of the “Hollywood” life in the 1920’s was what really
inspired me.
FQA: Where would you love to see your clothing travel to?
ALEXIS: I would love to see the collection in London and Japan. I feel like
it would be understood really well in both of those places.
FQA: Your collection has a distinctive look, dramatic, edgy and often
utilizing a monochromatic palette with pops of color. What inspired you
to present such a bold collection?
ALEXIS LAMONTAGNA: It was a combination of destination and time
period. The glamour of the “Hollywood” life in the 1920’s was what really
inspired me.
FQA: Where would you love to see your clothing travel to?
ALEXIS: I would love to see the collection in London and Japan. I feel like
it would be understood really well in both of those places.
FQA: Your collection has a distinctive look, dramatic, edgy and often
utilizing a monochromatic palette with pops of color. What inspired you
to present such a bold collection?
FQA: We are seeing a lot of different shapes in pants these days. Do you
prefer a fitted skinny pant or a tailored voluminous trouser? Or do you
believe we still need to hang on to both and why?
ALEXIS: We are seeing quite a few different shapes and styles of pants right
now, both very fitted and wide leg but I think that we are slowly transitioning
out of the “skinny” pant and into the wider leg. I wouldn’t go throwing out the
fitted pants just yet but I would start buying some bigger ones!
FQA: What show, movie, concert, or gallery event are you most looking
forward this summer?
ALEXIS: This summer I am most looking forward to going to “familiar friends”
at project gallery in Culver City. It’s going to be Lisa Alisa, Erika Yamashiro,
and Lindsay Campbell’s take on the female form. It should be really cool!
prefer a fitted skinny pant or a tailored voluminous trouser? Or do you
believe we still need to hang on to both and why?
ALEXIS: We are seeing quite a few different shapes and styles of pants right
now, both very fitted and wide leg but I think that we are slowly transitioning
out of the “skinny” pant and into the wider leg. I wouldn’t go throwing out the
fitted pants just yet but I would start buying some bigger ones!
FQA: What show, movie, concert, or gallery event are you most looking
forward this summer?
ALEXIS: This summer I am most looking forward to going to “familiar friends”
at project gallery in Culver City. It’s going to be Lisa Alisa, Erika Yamashiro,
and Lindsay Campbell’s take on the female form. It should be really cool!
FQA: If you could dress any woman or man living or deceased, who would it be and why?
And what celebrity are you dying to see front row and center at your next runway show?
ALEXIS: I would say Bob Marley, Lenny Kravitz or Johnny Depp. I just think that they are all
really beautiful people, really cool and can pull off a rocker hippie look, which I’m really into at
the moment. I would love to see Kate Hudson in the front row of my next show because she’s
that same kind of rocker hippie that the one I like.
FQA: Floral is huge this spring and summer, it seems a lot of designers are utilizing such
prints. Fashion Q&A adores your take on it. Do you think this trend will keep up all summer?
ALEXIS: I think that floral and girly prints are always kind of around for summer. I’m assuming
that this spring/summer won’t be too different. I do think that they might be a bit more retro,
which I think can be kind of cool if it’s done the right way.
FQA: Your pieces are classically tailored with strong, sexy, dramatic overtones and
wearable fabrics. We absolutely love it! Is this a trend we can expect to find in your next
collection? And is there any other information you would like our readers to know about
your subsequent collection?
ALEXIS: My pieces are classically tailored and that is something that you will probably always
see in my collection, so thank you for the compliment. I’m glad you guys like it! Having said
that, you will see some similar silhouettes for Spring, again in very wearable fabrics, mixed in
with some new really fun pieces that are not so classically tailored because I feel that
spring/summer is a bit more relaxed - or at least I’m more relaxed in the summer.
FQA: What item from your collection is the ultimate getaway piece?
ALEXIS: The ultimate getaway piece from my collection would have to be the cashmere
“ponch Villa”. It is perfect to throw on as a dress or a sweater and it is super comfy. It is perfect
for the plane, to run around town in summer or winter because it is not heavy, so you are able
to layer under it, make it warm, or wear it alone and make it a little summer dress and wear it
to the beach.
And what celebrity are you dying to see front row and center at your next runway show?
ALEXIS: I would say Bob Marley, Lenny Kravitz or Johnny Depp. I just think that they are all
really beautiful people, really cool and can pull off a rocker hippie look, which I’m really into at
the moment. I would love to see Kate Hudson in the front row of my next show because she’s
that same kind of rocker hippie that the one I like.
FQA: Floral is huge this spring and summer, it seems a lot of designers are utilizing such
prints. Fashion Q&A adores your take on it. Do you think this trend will keep up all summer?
ALEXIS: I think that floral and girly prints are always kind of around for summer. I’m assuming
that this spring/summer won’t be too different. I do think that they might be a bit more retro,
which I think can be kind of cool if it’s done the right way.
FQA: Your pieces are classically tailored with strong, sexy, dramatic overtones and
wearable fabrics. We absolutely love it! Is this a trend we can expect to find in your next
collection? And is there any other information you would like our readers to know about
your subsequent collection?
ALEXIS: My pieces are classically tailored and that is something that you will probably always
see in my collection, so thank you for the compliment. I’m glad you guys like it! Having said
that, you will see some similar silhouettes for Spring, again in very wearable fabrics, mixed in
with some new really fun pieces that are not so classically tailored because I feel that
spring/summer is a bit more relaxed - or at least I’m more relaxed in the summer.
FQA: What item from your collection is the ultimate getaway piece?
ALEXIS: The ultimate getaway piece from my collection would have to be the cashmere
“ponch Villa”. It is perfect to throw on as a dress or a sweater and it is super comfy. It is perfect
for the plane, to run around town in summer or winter because it is not heavy, so you are able
to layer under it, make it warm, or wear it alone and make it a little summer dress and wear it
to the beach.
Upon first glance at this emerging designer’s exciting collection, it might
be mistaken for something that would grace the racks of Vivienne
Westwood’s showroom. However, after careful inspection, the designs of
Alexis LaMontagna are as individually unique as she is. I found her
creations to be of the finest tailoring, layered with strong dramatic
overtones, decisively feminine and from a sexy strong point of view.
Her collection travels effortlessly to any major city around the world. I have
a feeling that women who wear Alexis’s collection could easily be seen
seated in first class. If any destination could account for her scene of
downtown Los Angeles and Hollywood definitely lent a hand to this
collection's edge. Alexis debuted her line at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week
Los Angeles in March '08. She brilliantly showcased the versatility of her
designs. I could vision a woman navigating her way from opening
collection.
a manner that gives them that comfy "worn in" feeling, which separates this
line from the pack. Perhaps that's why her clothes are generating a buzz in
the industry. The appeal of her designs is broad, spanning to the free spirit
to the rocker style, and even businesswomen can appreciate the luxury of
Alexis' line. Who wouldn't want to wear something that is both elegantly
tailored, unique and extremely wearable? Alexis LaMontagna is making
her mark with a look that is classic yet challenges the norm, appealing to
the ruthless irreverence of a younger generation.
be mistaken for something that would grace the racks of Vivienne
Westwood’s showroom. However, after careful inspection, the designs of
Alexis LaMontagna are as individually unique as she is. I found her
creations to be of the finest tailoring, layered with strong dramatic
overtones, decisively feminine and from a sexy strong point of view.
Her collection travels effortlessly to any major city around the world. I have
a feeling that women who wear Alexis’s collection could easily be seen
seated in first class. If any destination could account for her scene of
downtown Los Angeles and Hollywood definitely lent a hand to this
collection's edge. Alexis debuted her line at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week
Los Angeles in March '08. She brilliantly showcased the versatility of her
designs. I could vision a woman navigating her way from opening
collection.
a manner that gives them that comfy "worn in" feeling, which separates this
line from the pack. Perhaps that's why her clothes are generating a buzz in
the industry. The appeal of her designs is broad, spanning to the free spirit
to the rocker style, and even businesswomen can appreciate the luxury of
Alexis' line. Who wouldn't want to wear something that is both elegantly
tailored, unique and extremely wearable? Alexis LaMontagna is making
her mark with a look that is classic yet challenges the norm, appealing to
the ruthless irreverence of a younger generation.
| "I would love to see the collection in London and Japan. I feel like it would be understood really well in both of those places." |
Fashion Q&A was backstage with designer Alexis LaMontagna at her
debut at Los Angeles Fashion Week Fall 2008
debut at Los Angeles Fashion Week Fall 2008
It justcame together that way. The only thing that I really tried to do was to really make pieces and use colors that I really
liked and could see myself and my friends wearing.
FQA: How much of your inspiration comes from travel? What other influences shape the way you create your line?
ALEXIS: Some of my inspiration comes from travel, but more of it really comes from periods of time. I love the 20’s, the
60’s and the 80’s, so I think that there will always be a bit of a feel of at least one of those periods of time in every
collection.
FQA: If you could pick one destination (anywhere in the world) to travel to this summer, where would it be and what
would you pack?
ALEXIS: I would go on an African safari with my husband. We LOVE animals and I think to be able to see them in their
natural habitats, not behind cages, just being real wild animals, would be awesome. I also think that there is
something incredibly romantic about being in such a real, dirty, authentic situation. I would definitely pack pretty much
everything from my upcoming Spring collection because it is all very comfy, from dresses to skirts, shorts, and tops.
liked and could see myself and my friends wearing.
FQA: How much of your inspiration comes from travel? What other influences shape the way you create your line?
ALEXIS: Some of my inspiration comes from travel, but more of it really comes from periods of time. I love the 20’s, the
60’s and the 80’s, so I think that there will always be a bit of a feel of at least one of those periods of time in every
collection.
FQA: If you could pick one destination (anywhere in the world) to travel to this summer, where would it be and what
would you pack?
ALEXIS: I would go on an African safari with my husband. We LOVE animals and I think to be able to see them in their
natural habitats, not behind cages, just being real wild animals, would be awesome. I also think that there is
something incredibly romantic about being in such a real, dirty, authentic situation. I would definitely pack pretty much
everything from my upcoming Spring collection because it is all very comfy, from dresses to skirts, shorts, and tops.
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