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Alexis LaMontagna is a Los Angeles native fashion designer. In this interview Alexis LaMontagna describes her fashion line as really sexy but comfortable to fit real women with real curves, her muse for her Fall 2008 collection: Dita Von Teese, what she loves most about being a fashion designer, and plans for the Alexis LaMontagna Menswear and Children line.
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When did your fascination with fashion design begin?
My fascination with fashion probably started when I was about 3 or 4 years old. I remember always being late for preschool because I would be arguing with my mom about what I wanted to wear to school. She would buy me all of these really expensive, girly outfits and all I wanted to wear was some really tomboyish outfit out of my brothers’ closet that didn’t match and a pair of pink cowboy boots.
How would you describe the Alexis LaMontagna fashion line?
I would describe the line as a whole as really sexy but also comfortable. I really try to make clothes that fit real women with real woman curves, because that’s what I think is beautiful and sexy. Although, sometimes the word sexy is associated with tight and short and although there is some of that, there is also the throw on a pair of comfy jeans that look like they came out of your boyfriends closet and a wife beater look that I also find to be equally as hot.
How do you go about deciding what garment to design?
There is no real formula to how I decide what garment to design. My style is constantly changing and there is always at least a few pieces that are in my head that I wish were in my closet so I just start with those and then I usually build in outfits or what I think that piece would be cute worn with. I guess I just design what I want to wear at that moment.
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“The gown, the model, the music, I felt that it just all really worked together. Seeing that model walk down the runway in that dress still gives me chills.”
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Where do you draw the inspiration for the style and color of your designs?
I draw inspiration from everywhere! Sometimes I will be driving and listening to music and all of a sudden a certain song will make me feel crazy inspired or talking to my husband about all of the places that we want to travel to always gets me really inspired for some reason too. The worst is when I get in bed and I’m about to fall asleep and then all of a sudden out of nowhere I feel really inspired and my brain just starts going crazy thinking about all of the pieces I want to design. I’ll lay there for hours picturing all of these crazy cool clothes walking down the runway and the next thing I know I have to get out of bed and I’ve slept a total of two hours!
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Who do you see wearing Alexis LaMontagna fashions?
There are quite a few people that I would love to see wearing my clothes. I designed my Fall ’08 collection with Dita Von Teese as my muse so obviously I would LOVE for her to wear my clothes. I also really love Kate Hudson, Drew Barrymore, and Eva Mendes and would love to see them in my clothes. They are all really beautiful, sexy, confident women with great style.
What would be one of your most memorable garments you’ve ever designed?
One of my most memorable garments that I have designed would be a black and red striped denim gown that was the finale piece for my Fall ’08 runway show. The gown, the model, the music, I felt that it just all really worked together. Seeing that model walk down the runway in that dress still gives me chills.
Can you tell us more about the Alexis LaMontagna collection for this season and for the upcoming season?
Well, my inspiration for this season was 1920’s Hollywood Goth Glamour. I love old Hollywood Glamour but really dark so that’s what I created for Fall. Spring is totally different, it’s still a little bit dark because that’s what I like but its got more of a hippie feel to it. I love the music of the late 60’s and 70’s and the whole idea of Woodstock and what it was all about and seeing pictures and imagining what it would have been like to be a part of that really fascinates me so I tried to really use that as my inspiration for Spring. Also, obviously Spring is a bit more relaxed than Fall so you’ll still see some of the really classically tailored and structured pieces that I loved in the Fall collection but mixed in with some more comfy breezy dresses and wide legged slacks, tanks, ponchos, etc.
Who are some of your favorite designers of all time?
Some of my favorite designers of all time are Vivienne Westwood, Karl Lagerfeld, Coco Chanel, John Galliano, and the list goes on and on!
Where can we shop for Alexis LaMontagna fashions?
A couple of the stores that you can find the line in are Maxine on Ventura Blvd in Studio City and Diavolina on Robertson Blvd in West Hollywood but for a full list of stores you can go to www.alexislamontagna.com.
What do you love most about being a fashion designer?
What I love most about being a fashion designer is when I get to see a woman put on one of my pieces and feel really good in it. To know that something that I created from one of my ideas can make somebody feel sexy or beautiful is just so cool.
How would you describe your own style?
I would describe my own style as rocker hippie. Vintage bell bottom Levi’s and a vintage t-shirt with black hair and black nail polish I think would be the best way to describe me.
What’s next for Alexis LaMontagna?
Next for Alexis LaMontagna is to try to grow the line so we can start on Menswear and a childrens line, which I’m really looking forward to!
It was a pleasure to interview Alexis you can check out more of her amazing designs at her website: www.alexislamontagna.com
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