Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexina Prather.
Alexina, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
One day, I was walking down the street in lower Manhattan and saw a woman walk by wearing a classic denim jacket that had a few patches of fabric on it. You could tell by this woman’s whole look that it was an expensive jacket. I thought to myself, I could make that exact look for under $20, and I would have a lot of fun doing it. This is how the idea for Alexina’s upcycled denim jackets began. I started to explore the New York City thrift scene and collect secondhand denim jackets. I lived in a tiny apartment in Brooklyn and barely had enough room for my own clothes, let alone my sewing machine. I had the idea but didn’t have the physical space to create. When I moved to Miami, my living space pretty much doubled in size and I was finally able to begin creating the jackets I had been envisioning for over a year. Ever since I can remember I’ve been drawn to the fashion industry, however, more recently, I have learned about how environmentally harmful this industry is. I truly believe that you don’t have to sacrifice style in order to look fashionable, and this is the greater message I want to spread beyond selling one-of-a-kind jackets.
Has it been a smooth road?
Over the past few months, I have learned that the vendor life is not as glamorous as it seems. It is fun and exciting and allows you to meet some wonderful, creative people but it is incredibly hard work. The amount of preparation involved is enormous. Every time I attend a show it entails going up and down flights of stairs in my apartment building with suitcases full of jackets and a large 10×10 tent. One time, I spent about two hours packing my car to learn that the event was canceled due to poor weather five minutes before I was about to drive two hours to get there. The vendor experience is full of surprises and takes a lot of energy. It can also be incredibly rewarding. Watching customers fall in love with designs that you handcrafted is a wonderful feeling. Or watching your tent come together after a long haul makes it all worth it. The process is definitely becoming smoother as I learn tips and tricks along the way.
Tell us more about the business.
Alexina is a sustainable fashion brand that sells up-cycled designs and advocates for the secondhand clothing industry. We believe that clothes should be cherished, loved, and mended. The more items we can keep out of the landfill the happier our Mother Earth will be. We educate our customers about the harsh realities of the clothing industry while providing one-of-a-kind styles that can spruce up any closet or outfit. The denim jacket has been around for hundreds of years and isn’t going anywhere any time soon. We started out with denim as a foundation because it is durable, stylish, and should never be thrown out. We are proud of the designs we have created but also the information we have shared with our customers and followers.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
We see the fashion industry having a complete transformation, or at least that is what we hope will happen. Consumers are demanding more transparency from large fast fashion brands. Younger generations are interested in lifestyle practices that reduce their environmental impact. The clothing we choose to wear and buy is an impactful place to start changing our habits. We believe that large brands will incorporate more sustainability initiatives but will also transform their business models to incorporate more longevity into their designs. This is certainly an optimistic view, but since the clothing industry is the second most polluting industry in the world, we need to start changing our approach.
Pricing:
- $50 – $150 (Alexina original designs, depending on the style)
- $50 – $150 (Alexina custom designs, depending on material needed or provided)
- $15 – $20 (Secondhand denim jackets from inventory – not upcycled)
Contact Info:
- Website: www.shopalexina.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @shopalexina
Image Credit:
Amanda Piela for images named alexina-12.jpg and alexina-17.jpg
Suggest a story: VoyageMIA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
