Alexandra Popescu-York is a New York Fashion Designer and visual artist with many accomplishments in the field. Her brand with the same name offers a big variety of styles from couture pieces to ready-to-wear for both women and The current collection is focused on women and it’s meant to lift up the spirits through vivid colors and interesting sha. Alexandra Popescu-York has been painting since the age of three and has studied fashion design and plastic arts at the Bucharest. Now settled in the US for over a decade and a half years, she has an impressive record of both national and international fashion shows and exhibitions. What defines Alexandra Popescu-York as a fashion designer is the interplay between plastic arts and fashion. Creativity, originality and sustainability is one of the most important guidelines of her brand.
Q: NYFW 21, what was the inspiration behind this collection?
“The inspiration behind the collection was actually an uplifting message, a feeling of HOPE and a call to LIFE that I want to inspire, a much-needed brightness. It’s a message of hope and vitality-Hence the bright colors. The message could be “Get up from the dormant state, shake the negativity that’s all around us, let the sun kiss you, smell the flowers, put on a beautiful dress or outfit, feel comfortable and enjoy your life to the fullest! “
The message could be “A Smile from a friend and a pat on the back saying: It’s going to be OK!”
I names this collection “HOT MESS”. I think we all came out from a year of pandemic a little shaken up, a little afraid, a little bored, a little messed up but that doesn’t mean we cannot be “A HOT Mess”. 🙂 I add a little irony and sense of humor in all my collection and I think these times need it the most.
This collection is a very special one because it’s the first collection that I made since the pandemic started.
As an artist I tend to be very emotional and emphatic with the situation that the whole world is in, and the situation is not a “pink” one. The whole world is suffering and we cannot ignore it. 2020 was a terrible year for all humanity.
My soul cries for everyone who died in this pandemic and there were times when I feared for my life or my family’s life.
We, personally, were spared from this terrible virus that changed the world but till this pandemic is over I still feel the fear.
These being said, I chose to raise up and fight in my own way, as an artist and designer, to FIGHT FEAR, to try to inspire myself and others for a better and beautiful future”.
Q: I love the colors that you used! What are they?
” The message of hope and vitality transpires in the bright colors. I used fuchsia, bright pink and purple! I used the color that I felt they were right for the times to come and a few days before the show, WWD magazine and Pantone Colors announced that Fuchsia (Hot Pink) will be the color of the year! I don’t follow trends but I always anticipate what it will be trendy. I can say I have a superpower as a designer in this sense! I feel the vibes!
Q: What is it like doing a fashion show during the pandemic? What has changed?
“To do a fashion show during a pandemic is almost impossible. The logistics were taken care by the production company Flying Solo and they dis an amazing job like alwats! They are pioneers in the industry. They are so organized and so strong.
From the designer point of view to make a collection during the pandemic is almost impossible as well. To keep the wheels going, to have the optimistic spirit to create, to have the resources to invest into your collection, show production, marketing, production and distribution it’s a lot”!!!Q: What was it like doing a fashion show outdoors in below 30 degrees?
“Obviously it was very hard but to tell you the truth I didn’t feel the cold a bit because my adrenaline was so high I felt only great vibes, excitement and accomplishment! Normally speaking it was very difficult to be outside in the cold for more than 5 minutes, fully dressed. The models, designers, staff, press, influencers, photographers, all of us that were there are all heroes for just being there. The models probably felt the most cold because they worked 6 shows, changing at least one per show.
I know models that walked in the same day for 10 designers and they did it with grace. That’s what professional models do”!
“To do a fashion show during a pandemic is almost impossible. The logistics were taken care by the production company Flying Solo and they dis an amazing job like alwats! They are pioneers in the industry. They are so organized and so strong.
From the designer point of view to make a collection during the pandemic is almost impossible as well. To keep the wheels going, to have the optimistic spirit to create, to have the resources to invest into your collection, show production, marketing, production and distribution it’s a lot”!!!Q: What was it like doing a fashion show outdoors in below 30 degrees?
“Obviously it was very hard but to tell you the truth I didn’t feel the cold a bit because my adrenaline was so high I felt only great vibes, excitement and accomplishment! Normally speaking it was very difficult to be outside in the cold for more than 5 minutes, fully dressed. The models, designers, staff, press, influencers, photographers, all of us that were there are all heroes for just being there. The models probably felt the most cold because they worked 6 shows, changing at least one per show.
I know models that walked in the same day for 10 designers and they did it with grace. That’s what professional models do”!
Q: What advice do you have for fashion designers and models during the pandemic?
“No advices here. We are taking one day at a time. It’s very hard for everyone. Just be safe, be strong, this too shall pass. DO YOUR THING, try to become better and better everyday. Be the best version of yourself”.Q: Can you see yourself participating in another fashion show in September 2021?
“Yes, of course! The shows are a very important part of mg life! They give me reason to keep going, they give me life , besides the fact they are a marketing investment, they are more importantly for me a way to express my life as an artist and designer.
I see fashion and art as one of the most important things in life, without it our life would be so dull”.
“No advices here. We are taking one day at a time. It’s very hard for everyone. Just be safe, be strong, this too shall pass. DO YOUR THING, try to become better and better everyday. Be the best version of yourself”.Q: Can you see yourself participating in another fashion show in September 2021?
“Yes, of course! The shows are a very important part of mg life! They give me reason to keep going, they give me life , besides the fact they are a marketing investment, they are more importantly for me a way to express my life as an artist and designer.
I see fashion and art as one of the most important things in life, without it our life would be so dull”.
Special Thanks to the Celebrity Designer, Alexandra Popescu York@NYFW.
Flying Solo Show, New York City.
Credits Photo@ by Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images for Flying Solo