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Alexa Stark on Creating Sustainable Communities
57 Plays4 months ago
In Episode 3 of Collective Connection, host Corentin Christian sits down with trailblazing designer Alexa Stark. Known for her innovative approach to fashion and interior design, Alexa shares her journey from studying integrated design to redefining sustainable practices.
Discover how she builds communities through teaching, empowers conscious consumption, and channels her artistry into creating spaces and garments that connect people. This episode is an inspiring exploration of creativity, resilience, and the power of staying true to your vision.
Chapters:
- Welcome and Introduction
Corentin introduces the podcast’s theme and guest, Alexa Stark, highlighting her transformative impact on sustainable design and community-building. - A Journey Through Design
Alexa reflects on her education at Parsons and the pivotal decision to embrace sustainability, integrating fashion, fine arts, and communication design. - Breaking Boundaries in Fashion
Learn about Alexa's early ventures, the challenges of upcycling, and her realization that teaching and community-building are the most sustainable practices. - The Waldoboro Inn: A New Canvas
Alexa recounts how she brought history and modernity together in her interior design project, using creativity to foster inclusivity and connection. - Advice for Aspiring Creators
Alexa shares practical wisdom for navigating the creative industry, from teaching skills to embracing individuality and building sustainable paths. - On Slowing Down and Evolving
The conversation shifts to the importance of rest and reflection, with Alexa revealing her current focus on interiors and her shift to mindful creation. - Redefining Success
Alexa and Corentin discuss their definitions of success, emphasizing happiness, impact, and the value of authenticity in both personal and professional life. - Final Reflections and Messages
Alexa offers a heartfelt message about staying true to oneself and the importance of consistency in carving out a unique path. - Closing Remarks
Corentin wraps up the episode, reflecting on the inspiring conversation and inviting listeners to share Alexa's message of sustainability and connection.
About Alexa Stark:
Alexa is not only known for her bold, timeless collections but also for her commitment to upcycling, locally handmade wear, and championing sustainable communities in both fashion and interior design. She’s also recently made waves with her interior design work, such as her transformation of the Waldoboro Inn in Maine, where she seamlessly blended modern style with the historical charm of the space.
Today, we’ll explore how Alexa is building a design philosophy that supports local communities, prioritizes quality over over-consumption, and connects creativity across different disciplines.
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Transcript
Introduction to the Podcast
00:00:01
Speaker
Welcome to Collective Connection, the podcast where we dive deep into the minds of creators, innovators, and thought leaders across all fields to explore the threads that with us together as a community and the ideas that drive our shared creative journeys. I'm your host, Corinne Tancrescion, and in this space, we dive deep into the stories, insights, and wisdom of inspiring individuals who are redefining connection in every sense of the word.
Meet Alexa Stark
00:00:31
Speaker
Together we'll navigate the layers of healing,
00:00:41
Speaker
Today in episode three, we are in for a treat as we welcome Alexa Stark, a fashion designer whose work is redefining creativity, sustainable practices, and community. Not only is Alexa known for her bold, timeless collections, but also for her commitment to upcycling locally handmade wear and championing sustainable communities in both fashion and interior design.
Alexa's Design Philosophy
00:01:07
Speaker
She's also recently made waves in her interior design work, such as her transformation of the Waldo Boro Inn in Maine, USA, where she seamlessly blended modern style with the historical charm of the space. Today we'll explore how Alexa is building a design philosophy that supports local communities, prioritizes quality over overconsumption, and connects creativity across different disciplines.
Journey in Sustainable Fashion
00:01:36
Speaker
Alexa, it is such a pleasure and I'm so grateful that we finally made it for the podcast that happened to have you on the show. So thank you so much for being here. How are you doing? Great. Thank you. Thank you so much. Thank you for that such a beautiful introduction. It really means the world. So thank you.
00:01:55
Speaker
Thank you. And to start with, you know, so I really I've, you know, we had um just to be to give a bit of background, we had ah a chat, I think, yeah, more than a year ago now. um And I really had you in my thoughts when I wanted to create the podcast, because you really embody and exemplify what it means um to build bridges between not only fashion, but also like the local communities. How do you impart the knowledge you have both in the fashion world and into your design? And for our listeners, maybe you have might not be familiar with your work yet. um Can you share a little bit about your journey in the world of design and what initially sparked your passion for creating um with the sustainable practices and that local community focus
00:02:51
Speaker
Sure, yeah. So i I guess it all started um when i I studied at Parsons School of Design in Manhattan, New York. And I studied the, instead of going into the fashion program, I actually chose a program called Integrated Design Curriculum. And it was essentially, it was a new program at the time and it was um essentially taking and all your interests It was kind of like multi-major, but we had to work under the umbrella of sustainability. and um And so I studied fashion, fine arts, and communication design, and um I took classes that were, you know, like I took drafting classes, I took, ah you know, intro to,
00:03:43
Speaker
Photoshop and all that stuff that comes with like regular art school but then we also took classes on on like how to and redesign the air conditioner using your major so I had to or your focus so I had to think about like clothing worn for um like when the the world would get too hot.
Challenges in Sustainable Fashion
00:04:06
Speaker
And this was back in like 2007, 2008. So we were really thinking ahead about climate change and and and what like essentially like
00:04:22
Speaker
I couldn't believe how far ahead we were. um who her We were really thinking about now um and and like what brand how to be sustainable.
00:04:34
Speaker
and um and yeah so i I took a lot from that. um i I ended up graduating and moving out to Portland, Oregon, starting my own clothing line and ah open up a little shop because I knew I didn't want to work for a bigger brand. I ah i i just felt like I couldn't um yeah i couldn't bend.
00:04:59
Speaker
i i wanted to I was very stubborn. I wanted to be sustainable and I wanted to do my own thing. um And I just knew that working in the industry would um would not be for me. um I ended up kind of joining in that cycle, the fashion cycle, by doing collections every two seasons or every every season and um two sos two collections a year and ah I started doing that and I was, and I kind of discovered that fashion, no matter how hard we try, um we could do organic
00:05:39
Speaker
organic fabrics, we can upcycle, we can um you know work with small production houses and and you know try to do local production. It's just not a sustainable business platform business in general. It's very hard to produce clothing in a sustainable way, hence why a lot of these clothing brands right now are are shutting down because it's it's just hard. It's hard, it's expensive, and um it it's not we're culturally we're not set up for it still. um So I kind of focused on doing something different.
Teaching and Fashion's Future
00:06:20
Speaker
i ah Yes, I did a small production. I also worked with um organic materials, and then I also had a
00:06:32
Speaker
a small, like ah my work also included upcycling. But the most sustainable practice I had, I thought, was teaching. So I would teach at many different levels, um high school, college, and then working with apprentice apprentices after college.
00:06:54
Speaker
i'm And I liked all levels. My favorite actually was high school level because it's sort of the beginning of ah of kind of like being a ah consumer. You're young, you you get your first job, you start everything's marketed towards you because you're young and you're beautiful and you're healthy and you know everybody like fashion loves the young. um And so ah like that you also become like culture creators when you're when you're young.
00:07:24
Speaker
um especially now with all the power of social media. um So kind of working with the younger ah high school level kids was my favorite because I not only taught them how to make clothes but repair clothes and then also taught them about conscious consumption. And and so I liked, um I like to say I was like, trying to like, you know, I was like building an army of like conscious consumers. um And then they would go to college and kind of repeat and then do their thing after college. And, and I'm i'm still friends with all of my interns, which is such a great thing. And and they're all doing
00:08:09
Speaker
amazing work in the world. um But so that was like my start of my community. um I didn't really know it at the time, but I was like building this community through teaching. And, um you know, I also had the shop, so I would do like um pop ups and working with other local designers, I sold vintage and and just like it became a place where I was like doing performance art I would have like fashion shows um and just like working with the smaller community but I was also showing abroad and um
00:08:47
Speaker
And that was also a thing. I mean, like I was doing that a lot. I did it for 10 years and I ended up um getting a little burnt out come COVID. I was like, okay, good. I kind of like like, this is a good time to like stop and and kind of reassess. And um i though I'm still making clothes, I ended up shifting over. I moved to to Maine, um and to a small rural town in Maine called Waldboro. And um I actually ended up getting a bartending job, which was like new to me because I was always just always doing my own business. And um I
00:09:29
Speaker
and I got a bartending job, I was only making clothes at a very slow pace, um and I honestly was kind of like ready to leave, um so I
Community-Focused Ventures
00:09:44
Speaker
thought.
00:09:44
Speaker
but then i but It's like you you can a girl can leave, fashionment of fashion cannot leave a girl, so or any person. um So i ah i couldn't I couldn't stop. you know I can't stop ah looking and and collecting. And and I find it's just it's it's just who I am. So I kept making clothes, but then I also, a building came up for sale.
00:10:14
Speaker
and I bought it with some friends and turned it into an inn because I wanted to continue, like to me, like the again, the most sustainable practice it is building community, is is teaching. And I found that the inn to be an opportunity to bring more people together, not just people who are interested in one niche thing like fashion, but like all the things, food, art, um you know, also interior, like design, but creating space where people feel good. um And then also being um being queer, I felt like I needed a place in this community, in this rural town in Maine where everyone felt included. um And so it also became a place for per
00:11:13
Speaker
like just everybody. um and um And then in that like process, like ah creating the space, I also got to to visually create the space and and I used not only what if the building is is' almost 200 years old and and I use elements, i take I kept elements that were, you know,
00:11:38
Speaker
absolutely gorgeous. And, um and then, you know, fix some things, but then added new things in and I had ah um almost years of, of ah different, and like different eras, different designs. So there's um a like 1820s, built in the 1820s, so it has this federal style home, ah boxy, but then it was like reworked in the 1890s, so it has this Italianate, this gorgeous woodwork added in. um there's ah There was in the 30s this beautiful wallpaper,
00:12:23
Speaker
And then in the 1970s, there was all these add-ons that like I felt like, whoa, this is a a twist. But i just I found it beautiful as well. So adding those keeping those elements and then adding my own twist and my own design, like taking furniture and reworking it.
00:12:45
Speaker
um at making curtains out of old vintage dish towels, ah doing stuff like that. So kind of it's like the house is a body and I am dressing it and I am like like making it this like almost this mother in the town that is there to to accept all and to um b be there. and So that is That is kind of where I'm at now and that was my that's my story. i mean i i' I really am speechless because you've summed up in a short amount of time what I felt but never really articulated into words or even in my or even in my mind and the way you've been literally
00:13:43
Speaker
weaving your story. And it's almost like you know having a hard moment. And I'm like, yeah, that's why I felt very connected to you the first time we talk. Because the way you just, I mean, there's so much to uncover here. Because what what you said, obviously, like, first of all, obviously, you know when you were studying, that was not even avant-garde. that was I remember when I was in fashion school, they were starting teaching about, so like they were like a sustainable course.
00:14:13
Speaker
But you were like eight years, ten years prior to the conversation and already already preparing for now. um But there's so much when you talked about you didn't want to bend to corporate um corporate companies.
00:14:30
Speaker
and But the the thing that really stuck with me is that the most important, ah the most meaningful sustainable practice is to teach and to create communities and the way you described that um the world we're in is like a woman that houses in a safe like ah safe space space and you're dressing her and it becomes that met metaphor um for literally doing and and imparting the knowledge. There's just
00:15:12
Speaker
I really want everyone to hear what you just said because this is very inspiring, really. I had a question prepared and I want to be absolutely honest. I didn't expect what you said because if there was something to just send to everyone in the world, that would be the writing the written script of what you said, which is super valuable.
00:15:33
Speaker
so maybe Maybe my question would be so that it can be useful because what you said, it's absolutely inspiring. And when I wanted to create... the podcast and obviously changing the name of my brand collective connection. You just literally described and I think we are moving into this more and more. We are recognizing that we need to foster communities and that is the the sustainable practice that is um super important. um So maybe my question would be if someone is listening and tuning in now and wants
00:16:12
Speaker
doesn't want to bend to cooperate and is passionate and cannot do otherwise, but to create and will never be able to leave fashion, ah as you just said. um Where would you start? what What would be your recommendation for someone, what regardless of their age? Where would you start?
00:16:35
Speaker
it's ah It's right? No, because it's really been in the world, but what would... What would be your advice that you that you've been giving to a lot of people you've been teaching to? Yeah. So, um well, first of all, I just want to say thank you for saying all the sweet words, but also I want to say that what you're doing with this podcast to me is like, it's it it's it like starting conversations
00:17:08
Speaker
and and having a place like, thank God pilot podcasts exist, because now anybody can tune in and listen and hear and learn. And that is, it's like, that's such a beautiful thing. um And so what you're doing is like, again, a sustainable practice in this line of work that is hard to find. It is hard to find a sustainable pathway In this industry, so this is this is ah is a great example and I think a very approachable and um and Yeah, it's a beautiful thing. So thank you for doing this I i would say the
00:17:49
Speaker
You know, I actually, so I had this rule with my students at every age is that we have to spend, you have to invite one person after spending like a couple of days or whatever amount of time that they have with me, whether it's like a, just a two weeks program or like a Month or a year or whatever. I was like you have to invite someone and you're going to teach them How to do something like mend or something thread a needle so on a button it could be that easy and that simple and so I think that
00:18:26
Speaker
um I think my advice is to find someone to teach your skill to. It's really humbling. its very ah It's actually a great thing to teach someone because we're learning less and less of these tactile skills. And and just and just do something. It's so simple. um But then, you know, in the, for I guess that's the my first step. And then the next thing is just like, keep doing it. Don't stop. No matter what, even if it's like, even if you're so, you're you've hit
00:19:11
Speaker
the rock bottom and you cannot you're just so like so like's sad about the industry or anything, always find something to make. Draw,
00:19:26
Speaker
Whatever you gotta do, but always always keep going because it it like even if it's crap For for months. It doesn't matter. You just need to keep exercising that part of you and Like that will that will keep the you know the good things will come out of it or maybe you won't even see that something's good that's come out of it until like 10 years later when you'll look back at your sketches or you see a garment that you've made or whatever a like you'll be like oh wait that was actually kind of good because it just you have to just keep going um and it's good to take breaks very good to take breaks but always like always have something um
00:20:13
Speaker
you're working on. I think that is, ah yeah, those are the two, I guess, advice, pieces of advice I have to share. um And yeah, that's, I think, you know, i I really relate to that. And I think,
00:20:31
Speaker
you know, if we could be taught that in schools, especially fashion schools, you know, what you just said, it's so paramount. And and the relationship between the teacher and whether, like you call it, it doesn't really matter how you how you how you word that. But as you say, it's so humbling and obviously having a ah brand and and navigating, you know,
00:20:58
Speaker
you know after have to school and and literally I just find out when I started creating, I had no idea what I was doing. i just I was creating, that was my catharsis. and ah But you know the business, the financial ah part of it and how to commercialize in the social media and where we are evolving and only consumers just now, as you said, are just getting around the idea of, yes, we have to be conscious consumers. We are doing it kind of you know we're doing it with our food, but with our with our clothes. We still like to buy cheap, so which I understand because the the economy is not great at all.
00:21:41
Speaker
But what you just said, do not quit. Do not quit. And that has been very much my mantra. um Because also having a store where you have to pay rent, while you're alone, you know, my advice would be do not have a store alone.
00:21:56
Speaker
ah we yeah that would be That would be one thing I would say to people is just just if you want to have a store, just have something collectively. you know Be able to share a space. That would be also like not a mistake, but something I've learned. um But regardless of what's happening, whether the sales are great or not great, whether you have to shut down, you just said the right thing. Just don't stop. Just don't stop because of outside circumstances, because what you will always have is your craft and your art and your passion for it. And as long as you maintain that alive, no matter what happens, you will you will find a way and it will find a way back to you as well. um And I think that's so that's so paramount for people to hear because I've also had like people coming to me is like, how do I do it? And I never really know what to answer because there's no recipe, there's no
00:22:55
Speaker
There's no magic wand. There's this' obviously hard work. Hard work, you know, um just outsource everything. Well, you know you know, even though we live in the world of outsourcing everything. But and then that maybe like my question will go there is. Obviously.
00:23:15
Speaker
The fashion industry is the fashion industry we see. It's musical chairs in in those big corporate brands. yeah And it's it's, you know, I have never watched Love Island, but it fails it feels like that, you know, it's a telenovela, whatever, like wherever you are in the world and what's whatever, whatever cultural thing you can you can match that to. But how do you see,
00:23:43
Speaker
also with them with the consumers, and your clientele that are investing into your art, because I like to say investing to people. It's like you're investing in in a piece. You're not, and that's my part of having a store is like my main thing is like I'm educating, not educating as I'm lecturing. I'm sharing conversation with people in the store. Even though if they don't buy, my mission is that if they leave the store,
00:24:12
Speaker
I just want them to have learned something or maybe something as ticked in the head and they're going to think about it. And that's what you just said before. It's teaching educational um is a sustainable practice that is not very much, um you know, considered by the SDGs.
00:24:32
Speaker
or whatever other framework people like to to put in place um and put into boxes. But then my question would be, long-winded road, but how do you see the fashion industry with those big brands? um Because you've given advice to people um and they're very valuable, but if someone is going, okay, finishes calls and really wants to to build a brand,
00:25:01
Speaker
maybe find someone you can um that can teach you or have really life real life experience, not just like the books um and all of that. How would you, and if they don't, again, want them to cooperate ah big brands, what do you think they should consider in terms of because there's a reality of the fashion industry. There are seasons, there's all of that. I do believe this this is going going to crumble at some point. um How do you advise them like to navigate? do would you I don't think you would advise them like to go to corporate, but if I'm just fresh from school, I've i've done what you've said, I've gone to those people and i'm I'm learning, I'm not quitting, but how do you find your way to to a market?
Balancing Creativity and Business
00:25:55
Speaker
I know this is a hard, but I want it as practical as we can, so people also understand the reality of being an artist, but also having to be a business person, unfortunately. ah Totally. Yeah, no, I know. i have business part The business part was always the che like it's the challenging part, right? When you're a creative person, it's not the most... ah not the most It's a natural part of it all. like It's like, oh god, now I down need to make money off this. I gotta I gotta market it and all that stuff. um Yeah, it's a very hard thing. I actually, so I've come, I feel like after all this,
00:26:40
Speaker
i'm ah my approach was to, I graduated, I opened up a store, I actually did, co-own the shop with somebody so they were more interested in jewelry and and vintage and I was interested in vintage and and like handmade like I had my own clothing line but um and that was great um so definitely like you said partnering up like trying to if you want to start your own collection your own line like
00:27:14
Speaker
Try to get your stuff, partner up on a space, get your online presence going. um you know be You play the game. You have to play the game. You have to play the game, unfortunately. ah You know, do those reels or whatever. and um how you can to the ath atlantictic fault about it You can use what's there and play the game, but you can still do it in a way that you're not going to feel compromised or you're not going to feel that... Exactly.
00:27:45
Speaker
unnatural. Yeah, yeah it's it's a tool. It's not like a, um you don't have to do the exact same pattern as everybody else. But it's a tool in which we have to use when which we use to, to put out our stuff. I mean, like, the i I love social media, because it has given so much power to the individual to the to the small brand. i mean There are a lot of designers out there now because of social media. like We've seen them and we like we're buying from them because of this tool. and so i you know i'm I'm all for it in a way.
00:28:28
Speaker
um It gets hard when there's all this algorithm and this and that. And and if you go onto my social media, you'll be like, this this lady is not that present. I don't know what you're saying, but I kind of like did my thing and I, but that's a whole different, we'll get into that later. But I like,
00:28:48
Speaker
i um I do think that that is kind of just like get get it out there, keep going, all that stuff. um i do also i mean as much as i i I don't think working for another business or another big brand is a bad idea. I do think that um you should set a time limit in which you're going to do it. um But coming from someone who started basically at age 21, 22, not knowing anything about production,
00:29:27
Speaker
really, you know, I sometimes I go back, I think like, Oh, it would have been nice if I worked for a design house doesn't have to be like Gucci or, or a big, you know, whatever, but like a smaller design house working for a different designer and, um, and learning from them because I've made, I think I, I made like a $20,000 mistake once with production. And I was like, Oh my God.
00:29:56
Speaker
Like, oh my God. That kind of those like mistakes, you can, you know, they can really make or break a small brand. So um learning through bigger companies is a great idea. Although I do think that you got to say, I'm going to do it for five years, six years, whatever, and then like wall working on my own thing.
00:30:23
Speaker
and then move on because um it it gets really, I joke that my friends like who who after college, they always said like, oh, I'm going to start my own brand. And then they work for a bigger company.
00:30:36
Speaker
And then they were like, oh, but like pay time off and weekends and vacation. And like you get yeah this like corporate um way of working is like, it's enticing, right? You get all these perks, healthcare. care yeah um I'm American, so we don't really, we have to, yeah. ah yeah um So it is like,
00:31:01
Speaker
It is nice to have all that, but um like try not to get too comfortable in that kind of corporate way and lifestyle and um and stay focused. Learn what you can. Learn so much. Learn, learn, learn. And and i and like I was also going to say like there's I interned all throughout college um for different brands, big and small, um multiple at a time. I also, while even when I opened my own shop, I was interning
00:31:50
Speaker
Like there's bad rep because it's like free labor, but it's also like a free education. So I'm, I'm pro like internship apprenticeship. Um, and just like what I, I always ask whoever's working with me and turning your, uh, prenticing with me, like what, what are your strengths or what are your weaknesses? And I like learn their weaknesses and I'm like, okay, we're going to work on those. Like you're going to do.
00:32:18
Speaker
you're go to bill you're going to get stronger there. like What you're good at is you're already good at that. Let's work on what you're not good at. So like push yourself. um Learn as much as possible from other designers. Yeah.
00:32:34
Speaker
Absolutely, but I think what and what you just said comes really comes back to what you said, learning, what whatever teaching you can get, whether it's from um a designer, whether it's for the internship or corporate, I think the word would be like, what is what are your intentions, right? And to put If you want to have a brand, whatever routes you can have, or whatever cash you have in your bank account, to be absolutely honest, is okay. i need i need I need to save my some money. This is the money I need. So I'm going to go into corporate. I'm going to go into all the departments I can maybe to learn how
00:33:08
Speaker
to build a brand or be part of a very small brand and learn from and ask questions or so the art of asking questions. Just ask as many questions as you can, go to as many events, network with people, get immersed in in in what you want um to do, but with intentions. That's what you said. And if someone comes for an internship, again, what are your intentions and what you just said is asking the questions, what are your strengths and the weaknesses and and I think it's to get more intentional and I think if I look back at my younger self would be get be more intentional. Why are you doing it? What is it going to bring you? um And also do not fear because also like sometimes and and I don't know if you agree with that but coming out of fashion school and then like interning and all of that sometimes because we're younger
00:34:05
Speaker
we we we can be scared of asking obviously questions or ah suggesting or being proactive. And I would always say to people, just be proactive. you know Don't be scared. I remember being, I was working at Karen Millen and that was fantastic. That was in London because they had the projection in the office where like data scientists were working, where everyone was working. So I really love that because I was able to be in all departments.
00:34:31
Speaker
And then one day, i want they wanted to do the new strategy for the brand. And my younger self was brave enough. And when I look back, I was like, God, you were a bit mad. But I went to the CEO and was like, I think this is a strategy. What do you think? And didn't pay the CEO. And I must i must name her because like Beth Butterwick, fantastic woman. And she just opened the door and said like,
00:34:57
Speaker
let like um Let me listen to you and hear what you have to say and that I think was such a key moment in my life because I was there's someone who is running like a big brand and she's like I'm just I was just an intern at that time still doing my thesis and she was there and paying attention to me and learning and so put it put it put intentions and do not be scared to ask questions do not be scared to be proactive and to reach out to people and what you said about social media um again
00:35:32
Speaker
with intention, it's ah it's a magnificent tool. um And I would also maybe give an advice, maybe it would be, don't try and copy others because, as you say, it gives power to the people and to the person. And as a designer or as a creative, you are your brand, you are your personal brand, and do not be scared to embody it. um and and to use it the way you want to and whatever you're going to create physically, create it with so much intention and use those tools, not just going, I have to do it, but I can use it to my advantage to showcase in my own way. And I would say, do not really care about the algorithm because whatever happens, it's also so random and depends on so many things. but
00:36:23
Speaker
um I think the world would be in tension, but social media is is such an important, I mean we can't escape it nowadays, but it's as you say, if it's as much as world of war in, you know, as a safe space and if it's taken care of, curated, dressed and you have the right fabric, lining, whatever you want to call it, then you can make it your own in a safe space.
Community Building via Social Media
00:36:49
Speaker
And also depending on, you can build a community there. So, and that's how we've been able to, I've been able to reach out to you, you know, so that it is an amazing way to communicate with people. I do love that.
00:37:05
Speaker
Yeah. Yeah. i love I love what you're saying too. I think I another add on it's like, I realized I never mentioned that I, I was always a goal oriented person. So, um, I definitely, I said, okay, I want to open up a shop. Okay. Now I want to start selling my clothes to other stores. Okay. Now I want to like, and it, it was like, you know,
00:37:35
Speaker
I worked towards that goal. I broke down everything. How do I get there from here? So being able, I know it sounds silly, but like vision boarding or whatever you got to do, doesn't it's like you really got to break it down. Cause you could say like, Oh, I want to have, uh, uh, I want to sell in 10 stores.
00:38:00
Speaker
um I want to be in this country this country this country I want to show and in Paris and I want to like you know show a New York or something and and It's really like you say that and then you're like, well, how do I get there? And then you just go you break it down all the way like, okay, this is gonna be the next That's a two-year plan next year. I want to be here and In six months, I got to be here. In three months, I got to be here. In a month, I got to be here. you know That means in a week, I got to do this. and then you just you have to like it's it's um i mean A lot of it's also luck and talent. but
00:38:45
Speaker
a lot of but if you put this if you create structure for yourself because it ah also as a small business owner you can do whatever you want right you're not like nobody's you're not clocking in so you have to create the structure for yourself that is a daily weekly monthly like three months six months nine months year you have to break everything down like that because it it it like it it sets this this goal. you you can you can it It makes the goal more approachable in that way. absolutely And that that's, yeah, that's, it also, yeah, it just, it's motivating. So that's another piece of advice is like create a schedule.
00:39:35
Speaker
No, absolutely. fear Because there's obviously the reality of like, no one is going to knock at your door and wake you up and tell you what to do. So there's also that reality of, okay, I need to again, but that's why also the intention is we say like, okay, where do I want to be?
00:39:53
Speaker
break it down and and each to their own you know whether it's vision board or but sometimes also like now we're in a culture where we are pushed to vision board and to structure everything and that is great but as everything everything needs to be balanced but and that can feel also sometimes overwhelming for people like to because they they think okay i want to be there but i just don't know how to get there But even though you just build like the ten first ten first blocks, it's also a sadly balance and set like in a beautiful dance between what you know you can break down into steps and also letting in
00:40:37
Speaker
the flow of the creativity and the people you might meet and also following your instinct because we don't we're not taught about instinct but we are taught to listen to others, to people who might seem wiser or have received accolades and we look up to and we just think we have to replicate but there's also like so much knowing inside that most of the times we get derailed from our own path by ourselves, by the internal dialogue that others know better. But that structure is so important, absolutely. ah Yeah, yeah. I definitely got having ah your gut, following your gut and also like take, you know, I also been on that
00:41:27
Speaker
i'll all like create a plan but then like maybe an opportunity will take me away from that plan for maybe you know a three months to a year and i'll like take i'll go on that ride because i i think personally i mean having i don't know i i success for me is not so much about like how many people have seen my work or whatever but it's more about like how happy How happy am I? Like happiness. um the i I want to see and explore and find joy in
Redefining Success
00:42:08
Speaker
life. That is like, to me, the definition of success. um So if there's an opportunity that's like fun and different, take it because really life is kind of long and um you don't have to
00:42:26
Speaker
you stick to this like really intense plan all the time. Yeah. I mean, i mean you took, I was going to ask you what's the definition of success and you just, so I just like have these flows because I was going to say, um, I have, um, I have a mentor, but this is more like a friendship now. Um, anytime,
00:42:51
Speaker
And recently, you know just looking back on the year and everything, I've unlearned and learned and and I would always say yes to opportunities because i would come from a I would move within my creativity and my business skills from ah from a lack of I'm not enough or people know better or if I don't take that opportunity, that's not going to work.
00:43:13
Speaker
um And then I find, as you just said, success success is not the amount ah of money, it's not the accolades, it's not the the newspaper, the articles. ah lot I know a lot of people, um I was there also, I just like, I want i want a vogue thing, I want, you know, and I just look back on this year, I mean, last year now, but um if if you can't find joy and and happiness each day when sometimes things don't happen even for a month or six months or whatever, then it might just not be for you. But happiness is, I think is key. Enjoy. You have to find joy in what you do. And only then I think can success come both internally and and and externally. But to expect what is success in a very
00:44:13
Speaker
capitalist kind of world. I join you in that sentiment of success is happiness and what is also the impact you've had on people and what impacts others have made in your life. I think that's kind of the measurement i would I would give to to success. But um there iss beautiful that is a beautiful definition um of that. um I just lost a question that I wanted to ask, but it's OK.
00:44:45
Speaker
No, good. No, no, because I was, again, I'm i so pleasantly surprised. And also so that's the beauty of being able right now to have a conversation where dancing on the cover, there is very, like, hearing or just listening. And that made me think also very deeply about that success.
00:45:07
Speaker
on But maybe maybe then, you know, now where you are at in your life, what what is it, talking about joy and and and and and finding pleasure in what you're doing,
00:45:28
Speaker
What is it you're planning and what is it within your plan, obviously, through Joy, that you you want to you want to do? what what is What is it you are looking forward to with your work at the moment? Well, um that's a really good question.
00:45:57
Speaker
Um, I, I have, so I guess like, I think personally, I've been craving.
00:46:20
Speaker
to be in one place for a little bit longer than I have been in a long time. i And I so i am like i'm trying not to make any sudden movements right now.
00:46:37
Speaker
all and i i have The Inn has been wonderful. It was such a great project to work on. um And now it's in it's like in the phase of it's beginning to to just now be, there's a routine coming out of it, being like, okay, so today we do this, this, you know, and um I like kind of had this like meltdown, not meltdown, but just like a, like, oh, no, it's like,
00:47:09
Speaker
it's a busy but boring because it's like now it's just like the same thing like I just have to maintain it now and that's like boring and I i got a little like oh like I'm just so used to the fashion cycle and And being able to like, okay, now we change it. Now we do something new. Every six months or every year, I like think about a new concept or something. And the in, it's like, it's very much, it's better if it's actually consistent. If it stays the same, it's it it creates like this, yeah, this home for people.
00:47:56
Speaker
And I've been thinking a lot about that for myself in general, like, okay, I have to create this home. So right now, my um My kind of like mantra is like do nothing. Not that I'm doing nothing, because I'm actually doing still doing a lot, but I'm not making any sudden changes or movements. So I have this it's in. It's going great. umm I'm about to um have an intern come with me. She's a freshman from Bennington College in Vermont. She's coming for a month. We're going to work on some clothes.
00:48:37
Speaker
and like I'm just gonna kind of do things. I'm not working towards a collection even though I've been working on pieces that I'd like to eventually show but I'm just like I'm just gonna go in that space and be with this person and we're we're gonna make stuff.
00:48:57
Speaker
I mean, we're gonna go into space and be with this person and we're gonna make stuff. And we're just gonna see what happens. um yeah I like i'm I'm working on my own personal house, um creating the rooms and spaces for that. And then my but like, I do actually I do have a bigger project that I'm working on, I guess I I haven't really told anyone yet, so here it is.
New Ventures in Interior Design
00:49:25
Speaker
um But i i kind of just I'm really into interior design now. So I'm starting this interior design company. And I i partnered up with somebody who's already been in working in interior design um for quite a while. And we're starting this company. And um i I'm working on that. i'm like I'm kind of shifting to like, yeah.
00:49:53
Speaker
focusing on home and creating spaces that feel good for people. um And yeah, I don't know. i mean
00:50:06
Speaker
I'm open to opportunities to go to places and work on certain projects or whatever, but I am trying to just stay here, be here now, and be i and like work slowly.
00:50:29
Speaker
um It's not sexy fashion, but it's something that I think and will help. I think it's a a creative practice that I'm looking forward to like diving into. um It is. And we'll see. It is, but for sharing for sharing that, I think that is absolutely exciting and And I will be looking forward to it. And actually, that's really good advice. also like Also, it's good to partner with someone else. obviously someone we have like As we talked about, you know what's your strength and your weaknesses, and if someone has been in the interior design, and and that can also you know add to what you're doing and avoid
00:51:16
Speaker
you know whatever 20k mistake or anything ah but that's such also like an important advice is um you know to partner with with the person and I think also that could be like a whole episode about finding the right partnership but what you just said is you know um slowing down also is very important and as creative I think sometimes we chase the next new thing and and we are not and because also we're in entrepreneurs so ah there's that part of okay but what's the next thing and what's the next thing and if I'm not doing then you get into that cycle of always being on and
00:51:59
Speaker
And also doing nothing can also be very productive, which is yeah like, as you said, also in the in the episode of resting is super important. And I was I just learned that like the hard way. And and for me, like, you know, I had to work all the time, seven days a week because of the otherwise I was not doing enough because you don't don't have anyone telling you that you should stop now. And your body tells you um But what you just said, being with the with the intern, you're going to be with you're going to be present in and and internet oof i'm going to ah succeed in saying it intentionally being present um with the person and and seeing where that goes. And that in itself is ah
00:52:45
Speaker
is a strong plan because you're going to be able to um to flow with the moment. So yeah, i think I think there's a lot of amazing, tangible pieces of advice you've been giving in this conversation and also the practicality, also the planning. But I think what really transpires through what you said is community. Again, we come back to it and and also to build communities and we don't really say that often.
00:53:24
Speaker
In order to be able to show up for communities, we have to be okay ourselves. So if we have to take a bit of a moment to build our own home, whether physically or metaphorically, but you're doing it, I'm sure both ways at the moment. And to slow down, only then can we show up better for others in communities and create meaningful pockets.
00:53:50
Speaker
of collective connections. I think that, but to me, that's what is very echoing through what you just said. So thank you thank you so much for that. and And I'm sure, you know, the it's very funny you talked about interior design because I've been very much drawn towards interior design. But as as you just said, you know, clothing, a person in clothing, a space, a home, it's essentially the same. Yeah, it's very similar. and a It's very similar. And it's just, um so i'll be I'll be definitely following your journey. And and I'm sure, you know, all the success
00:54:36
Speaker
meaning all the happiness doing that, but also whatever you want from it. But I'm sure that will be, that will be fantastic. If maybe to close the conversation for now, um,
00:54:51
Speaker
what do you, what do you wish for first for yourself and what do you wish for
00:55:07
Speaker
people who are listening. So first, what do you wish for yourself or people who are listening? And what would be your, a message you want to, something you really, you talked about having mantras and, but what is it that, you know, if you had to, if you had to really say something um Maybe, sorry, my question would be because I'm weaving it as i'm as I'm speaking, but in reflecting on our conversation, after what you say, we have a long, short, whatever life, but what is it? So your purpose here on earth is through creation and weaving the fabrics of our collective heart, if I can say, but
00:56:01
Speaker
What do you want to be remembered for ah through
Staying True to Oneself
00:56:05
Speaker
what you're doing here? It's a big question, but yeah, your wish for yourself, the wish for the listeners and what do you want to be remembered for? what what what's What's the point of all that you're doing?
00:56:19
Speaker
Yeah.
00:56:23
Speaker
Oh, man. um It's like, what do you want to be remembered for is almost like, what's the best thing about yourself? It's so is it's so nice to like, you have to like, think about ah how to compliment yourself. Um, I, you know, recently, I was talking to somebody ah who is this wonderful, wonderful baker, and, um and she I i like was just speechless because she was coming at me with all these ah this like beautiful like compliments and all this stuff. And um one thing that she said was, you always
00:57:08
Speaker
do whatever you want and it's always different than every what everybody else is doing and i admire you for all of like the hard work and the like the the groundwork that you lay and and she's like and i at first were always like look she's crazy and then it catches on and then everybody's doing it. And it's kind of crazy. She was like, I don't understand like how you could be such like a trendsetter in a way, but it's always something that's like healthy. It's not like a trend, like here's this makeup route thing that you're doing and then it's gone or whatever. It's never like, like flat and basic or, you know,
00:58:01
Speaker
but it's always like something that's like there's a sustainable fashion line or there's like this we in with the pop-ups and community spaces and all of a sudden now like all the other ends in Maine that are starting to like open up their spaces as community spaces and she was like there's like you're always doing something that like, just nobody's done before. So I guess, I thought that was like the sweetest thing and I also was like a little like embarrassed because I don't know, it's just always embarrassing when someone compliments you so so much.
00:58:37
Speaker
um or for me and but i also think that that like it's been it's like i i love that part of me that i do that i also kind of get frustrated because sometimes i feel like i do the thing and then nobody really like some people are into it but then like it's not enough or whatever and then I like I change it or do something else and then that thing that I was doing was popular and then all these other people are like making money off of that thing and I'm like I get frustrated because I'm like oh it'd be nice if I made money off of that thing too but like
00:59:18
Speaker
I don't know it's like I also am just I'm so glad I started it and I'm so glad that like people are are doing it like when everyone started like reworking clothes and it became like a trend like yeah it was like i definitely had moments where i was like oh like that was my idea or whatever or whatever but then i was like oh my god thank god this is becoming popular because it's becoming
00:59:54
Speaker
Like now a way of life and learning and people are learning it and all this stuff. Like I, like, like, you know, maybe my ego was annoyed, but then my, like the the rest of me was like, this is what I wanted to happen. I want this to be popular. I want this, like, this is great. And so I don't know if I could be remembered for anything. I guess it would be like that I, I do what I believe in.
01:00:23
Speaker
And I go all all in. You walk the turf, and you yeah are a true child, Leza. That's when I wanted to reach out to bees, because I really admire you. And I know you've been doing it for so long. And and so many people like came after you and and claiming can i like the throne. We talk from the eagle, but we're human. And we also have to like our are different, um you know the the not the darkness of being a human, but also like all the paths of being human. It's okay to also say, well, i that was my idea. And but what you just say goes to show
01:01:09
Speaker
The beautiful human that you are and I'm not meaning that to be conspicuous because I really, really feel it is because you really are a true trailblazer is that you've have had and you still have the courage to do what others have not done and by doing what you've been doing you've been inspiring trends and you've been inspiring people to do similar things and by that you know I think it's a life
01:01:43
Speaker
it's It's a mental life that you're leading. and And I think for anyone listening or anyone interacting with you, whether it's for social media or ah in real life, it's your true example of there is another path and the path is mine to carve. And along the way, I can have people illuminating it, ah you know, that can be via mentors or teachers. And But you've been doing that, you've been carving out a path um and and showing now the younger generation how how things can be done. so
01:02:22
Speaker
you know I think the the fashion industry owes you a lot in terms of the amount of work that requires is insane and and the trusting and the keeping on going and the not quitting. People don't realize what it means also on the personal level and what you sometimes have to sacrifice in a way um but I think my wish for you is to is to accept compliments and to look at yourself in the mirror and tell yourself I'm proud of me and it's not it's not something um out of ego but just to to be kind to yourself because you give so much to others that you deserve to
01:03:08
Speaker
to give yourself the same amount of space and heart. And I think that might be my message to you after hearing what you're telling me. Thank you. That's so sweet. Thank you. i Yeah. I yeah i just i guess i by saying all that, I just... and like part The reason why I said that is that I just, I feel like, like I said, like don't stop. If you believe in something, just keep going because it's like, whether it ends up being like a trend or whatever, it doesn't matter, right? it's But it's more about like believing
01:03:52
Speaker
and doing it and don't be afraid to be different. And like those, I mean, the like if we think about the, even if like looking at fashion, the most, the original designers for all those giant fashion houses, the Marzella, the Yoji, the Balenciaga back in the day, the Dior back in the day, the very, you know, the the actual,
01:04:21
Speaker
brand, like the actual designers that started those brands, they became who they are because they were who they are. Right. Right. You have to just be yourself. And the thing that's really crazy about the fashion industry now is that, you know, everybody's jumping around different fashion houses. And they're, they're not giving these designers enough time to create their own voice in the this, this like a fashion house. And so now all the fashion looks the same. Every brand looks like, you know, it's like, Oh, he's here. And then he went there. And now like Valentino looks like Gucci. Like it just like all this, it's just looks all the same. So like, yeah you have to just make, you have to be who you are and make that like be strong in that.
01:05:19
Speaker
And like it will happen. it People will notice if you just continue being who you are. It's just, yeah. I think here is such an important message. It's the consistency of being who you are. mean And there's the consistency of being who you are and to really do act and say, and whatever you're doing imbued with the knowingness and the belief the passion for what you're doing and also being patient because things you know people think it like you know success as we know it will say that you know it happens overnight it doesn't happen overnight it's the consistency as you say of being oneself and the patience
01:06:03
Speaker
also for people to notice or for your you know to stay strong in in in one's one's shoes and in one's um personality I think that that should actually be the biggest advice to people is be patient but keep being yourself and keep doing you and as you said the big names are the big names because of the time it took for them to become who they were meant to become somehow but today we can live in such a fast world that we don't give that time to people or designers and it's all about like the finances but maybe they're tackling it from different like the wrong angle maybe the finances aren't aren't well because you're not giving enough time to people to
01:06:52
Speaker
to strongly be who they are. And the foundation is that if you're not strong, anything you're going to do is not going to stand in the in the in time. So i yeah I think that's a beautiful, I think that's a beautiful closing to that, to watch and really, you know, it really mirrors everything and echoes what you just said.
01:07:16
Speaker
be consistent being who you are and keep being who you are and there's I think it's Jean Cocteau said um you reminded me of that quote because I had a teacher say because it was always different and I'm sure you can you you can um relate but she said to me what other people reproach you for cultivated it's you and I think it's so true because your difference, whatever, no one is you. And that is your biggest USP if you want to talk marketing. That is your biggest USP. So be your own universe and everyone will gravitate at some point. But don't do the other way around. Don't try to gravitate around others universe thinking it's going to build your own universe. Start with yourself. 100%. Yeah. I think that would be the next.
01:08:09
Speaker
And it should be in all aspects of your life. You know, exactly in all aspects of life. And I'm not for forgetting obviously the personal, the personal life. Sometimes when we start things or we're younger, also when we, you know, our age, we can sometimes get so consumed by what we're doing, but it's so important to not lose sight of the personal routine, which I think sometimes we can be um we can take ourselves away from. And maybe it's me talking about myself. But um but thank you so much, Alexa, really for for joining and for this beautifully unscripted really conversation. And for all that you've said, I think it is truly the most inspiring conversation I've had in many, many months.
01:09:03
Speaker
No offense to people I've been talking to, but it's so effective for a fellow artist and someone who was trailblaz and still trailed trailblazing, in the art industry, not only in fashion. And this is, you know, growing up, it's so hard to have people to look up to, especially in this world. And I think There's so many people now who can look up to someone like you and go, well, she's doing it. So maybe I can do that. And I think that's the most powerful message here. So yeah, thank you so much for.
01:09:41
Speaker
your commitment to yourself for the consistency to being yourself and apologetically and for slowing down and for planning and for building communities and for fostering and carving out a path that few others would not have the nerves to carve out but because from what I understood you could not do otherwise you're still doing so Really thank you because you are a true living example of of real sustainable practices not gri washing and and also showing that you can be a multi-dimensional artist. You don't have to be in a box. And we're here we head to this one dismantle boxes and also like to show new ways. So thank you for that. I really am very grateful that you shared everything you shared.
01:10:39
Speaker
um and and And I really admire you. you know I think it's very important to say that. And I truly, truly admire you. And I hope that but you will find a bit of time to look at yourself in the mirror and give yourself a big hug. It's not like a lame or silly thing to do. It really marks a difference. Thanks. Thank you. That's funny. Yeah, I know. i heard
01:11:07
Speaker
Sometimes, Sometimes. Sometimes I do. I wish you that. I wish you that. and Thank you. yeah so so so much yeah Thank you so much for having me on this. this is It's been so fun to talk to you and and um yeah to have a creative conversation around all of this. is it's ah It's such a beautiful thing. I love what you're doing. and and i feel i like Again, I feel so honored to be part of it. so Thank you.
01:11:43
Speaker
well then The feelings are very much shared and I'm very grateful for the time. and for what we're sharing. So thank you so much. Thank you so much. And for our listeners, you know, I invite you to make sure to check out your work on social media. Alex Astark, everything will be in the description. And to everyone tuning in, thank you for listening to the episode 3 of Collective Connection. I'm sure
01:12:18
Speaker
You will enjoy this episode as much as I have been able to enjoy this conversation with Alexa. Be sure to subscribe if you liked it, leave a review and share it with anyone who could benefit from Alexa's message of sustainability which is literally being able to impart knowledge, knowledge to share knowledge knowledge and the more this can be shared and the more we can learn from each other the more sustainable the world we can create. So until next time stay connected, stay inspired and continue building your collective of meaningful connections first for yourself and secondly for others. Thank you so much and see you next time.