Behind the Seams, MissWYA Interviews: Alexandra Cipparone of ALEX&RA

We, here at MissWhoever You Are, love the small brands and the indie labels. Living in New York, one of the major epicenters of fashion, I know a thing or two about budding designers and the insane fashion scene. More often than not, it's the smaller designers- the little guys if you will- that captures my attention with their impressive attention to detail, knowledge (and passion) of the fashion industry, and their incredible and impressive range in design and style.

Alexandra Cipparone is one of these talented up and comers that deserve the spotlight. A West Coast girl through and through (and proud of it!) Alexandra was born in sunny San Diego, Cipparone attended the University of California, at Berkeley, and currently lives San Francisco. She began selling her clothes on Etsy, the online marketplace for handmade goods and small designers/ labels. Pretty soon, Cipparone found out that she had an eye for style and that it was time to branch out.

Having recently launched her own online boutique, the future is looking mighty bright for Alexandra and her label, cleverly named, ALEX&RA.

I recently chatted with the designer on how she got started and where she wants to go- check it out!

MissWhoever You Are: When did you first fall in love with fashion? When did you realize that you wanted to go into fashion design?
Alexandra Cipparone:I found my love for fashion design in high school. I was always cutting up club t-shirts and making them into cute tube tops and off-the-shoulder tops. I'd even embellish them with all sorts of gems. I guess I just saw them as blank canvases and used my creativity to stand out from the rest.

MissWYA: Tell me about ALEX&RA. How did you get started?
AC: ALEX&RA is the product of many of years of dreaming and planning. I've compiled everything that I've learned about the industry, sewing, patternmaking, design, and art into a brand that truly represents me. It's a feminine line that features tailored skirts and romantic dresses - the perfect combination for every girl's wardrobe! I want ALEX&RA to be the go-to brand for unique, one-of-a-kind, and perfectly fitted clothes. The relationship I create with my customers is also really important to me - I work hard to make everything perfect for them and give them the custom fit they deserve!
MissWYA: Where do you find inspiration for your designs?
AC: I am inspired by so much! First and foremost, I am inspired by the city of San Francisco. It is a remarkable place alive with culture and diversity. Every street has a story to tell. Every person has something unique to admire. Even a short stroll around the city gives me so many great ideas to work with! I am also largely influenced by art and vintage design. I think they give my line a unique feeling of history and permanence - not simply a trend for the season.

MissWYA: You started selling your designs through Etsy, what was that like?
AC: Etsy is a great place to sell handmade goods. I learned a lot about the value of customer service and good communication. Both sellers and buyers are supportive and encouraged me a lot throughout the past few months. I am so thankful for being introduced to it! The reason I decided to open my own shop was to connect more closely with my customers. I want the identity of my brand to be how people remember my line, so it was important to me to establish that online presence. So far it has proved to be a great step! My customers now have direct access to my collections and can easily learn more about me and my line.

MissWYA: How has selling through Etsy prepare you in launching your own online shop?
AC: Selling through Etsy has been a wonderful experience. There is so much support in place for new sellers. It is a great place to learn about customer service, how to connect to a customer, how to present yourself professional, and, more importantly, it teaches you how customers think. I definitely recommend that any budding designer start their first line at Etsy. Although it is not geared toward clothing, it still presents a great opportunity to reach out to a community of shoppers who value handmade goods. You can't get those results on your own!

MissWYA: Which celebrity/model would you love to see in your designs and why?
AC: Style icons like Rachel Bilson and Mischa Barton would look great in my designs, just as much as Gossip Girls Blake Lively and Leighton Meester. Those girls have such a great style - they mix and match different aesthetics easily into their fashion-forward wardrobe and are never afraid to make a statement. They are definitely one-of-a-kind girls - just like my customers!

MissWYA: What is your personal style philosophy?
AC: My style is definitely unique. I love to pair basics with nice pieces - like a blank tank top and a silk high-waisted skirt or a nice dress with a pair of flats. I'm the kind of girl who rides bikes in skirts so whatever I'm wearing has to be versatile. Plus, I never follow the rule that you have to match. It's more fun to take risks!

MissWYA: Can you share a little about what's in store for the future of ALEX&RA? Where do you see the line going?
AC: My next collection will be based on all the beautiful summer days spent in Golden Gate Park. It will include more dresses and more intricate skirts. My customers have responded really well to volume and detail, so I will definitely continue on that route. I am excited to work with more cottons and especially floral prints. It will be a very feminine collection to take my girls from late summer into early fall. Keep checking back to my website for more updates!

This fun, feminine and flirty line is definitely one to watch for! If you're looking for skirts that are art inspired and/ or fashion forward, shop online at the ALEX&RA website, or the ALEX&RA etsy store. If you are a California girl, you're in luck! ALEX&RA will be having an in-store launch party on Thursday, August 27 in San Francisco at Seams Boutique. It will be an amazing night of fashion, art, and music and will also debut her next collection!