[Alexandra Grecco] Fashion Designer / Lover of Vintage

First off, if any of you are feeling retro fatigue–SHAME on you. I have no sympathy, and am far too busy being mesmerized by things from yesteryear. Over the weekend I took a stroll through the Brooklyn Flea Market and found myself picking up rusted clocks (the kind you wind up), glass seltzer bottles, costume jewelry, and my absolute favorite–old photos. That’s where today’s interview comes in. If you haven’t heard of her already, then I’d like to introduce you to a lovely, new fashion designer named Alexandra Grecco. (Even this week’s issue of New York Magazine lends her praise.) In an age where everyone seems to be looking towards the newest, the fastest, the tiniest–Alexandra has managed to hit rewind, then pause with her new fashion line. Here’s what she has to say…

After reading a little about you, your grandmother seems to have been a huge inspiration to you. What is it about her/her style/or the time she grew up in that is so inspiring to you?

Yes, my grandmother is the absolute best! I’m very close to her. Out of most people in my family, I see a lot of similarities between us as far as personal style and character. Her aesthetic is incredibly inspiring to me. She puts a lot of time and energy into everything she does, and her interests are diverse. Her house is magnificently decorated. Very french. An impressive abode Marie Antoinette would have swooned over, I’m sure. She mixes unexpected damask wallpaper with leopard print pillows and has shiny, shimmering things everywhere! There is also, always, delicious cake whenever I join her for tea.

My grandmother, Roberta, grew up in Park Slope, Brooklyn. Maybe that’s why I love Brooklyn so much, or why it feels like home to me. She tells me stories of her growing up, how she would skip home from school, singing obnoxiously with her girlfriends in the snow. Sounds, pretty much, like magic. She was also quite a catch with the lads (and still is), but always, unremittingly seemed to have kept her cool. I think that can be tricky!

Overall, she’s a stunning woman who would never be caught outdoors in sweatpants, (unless they were cashmere, and had a matching jacket). She’s uniquely talented with ceaseless determination. She’s knows what she wants, and rarely cheapens herself to gossip – something truly rare to find in a woman of any generation. I feel really lucky to be so close to her, especially as I’m finding out who I am. Lastly, and most importantly, she sometimes tells really excellent, naughty jokes!

Where are you from? Where do you live now?

I’m from, :::jazz hands:::, New Jersey! I recently moved home to NJ from Brooklyn, to save up for my own apartment. I’m hoping I’ll still be able to take advantage of delicious home cooked meals and a washing machine within a 6 ft. radius once I return to BK. A tiny yard, too, would be nice, but that’s a little optimistic.

I love how your pieces really work for a variety of body types, with curves being enhanced in all the right places. Do you have any specific people in mind when you’re designing?

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Thank you! I’m so glad people see this. I do have specific people in mind who have always inspired me, and the question I have always asked is- why were curves ever considered, in the fashion industry and elsewhere, to be out of style or an unfortunate characteristic to inherit? The INSANITY! There is nothing sexier than a woman with a round tush and, gosh! a roll on her tummy? I love women for the variety of shapes they are born with, and I don’t understand at all why there is a supposed “perfect” standard that we are bombarded with on a daily basis – who came up with this impossible foolishness? It’s scary, as consumers, that we encourage it’s permanence through the production of useless gossip rags, and seemingly dated fashion spreads. I think that as long as we feel good, eat healthy, stay active, kiss, laugh, sleep, and just accept ourselves for all that we are blessed with, everything could be more beautiful. I’m not trying to be Mother Theresa, here, I mean it. Let’s eat some cupcakes and take care of ourselves, please.

Have you always known you’ve wanted to design clothes? How did you get to this point?

I think so. The desire to be a designer was sometimes masked by a few other interests I played around with for a bit, like- painting, photography and acting. All these things are related, so I suppose I always knew, for sure, that I wanted to do something creative and theatrical. l know that I can somehow incorporate all of them into my design work as well, whether it be making a film for my collection or illustrating a look-book.

Hmmm, how did I get to this point? I’d say a lot of it has to do with being able to network on the internet by writing a blog and having an etsy shop which has allowed me to be in touch with readers and buyers, as well as being exposed to an immeasurable amount of inspiration from other blogs. I started my collection mid-2009, and before that, was reconstructing vintage clothes into colorful little rompers and dresses, selling them on etsy. It was just me and my sewing machine all day long.

Your clothes remind me of old Hollywood glamour. What do you think of Hollywood glamour today? Does it exist?

Well, whatever we generally consider today’s Hollywood glamour has become so diluted, thanks to fake tans, Botox, labels etc, that it could never touch old Hollywood glamour. Sure, some people, unfortunately, believe that taking these said measures “enhance attractiveness”, but I really believe that glamour is more than just the way we look, and more so, a way one carries herself and the talent she possesses. Ladies like, Theda Bara and Marilyn Monroe, had distinct looks and seemed more like characters from another world. Too few people these days really let loose to define themselves. I’m not saying we don’t have any talented actresses these days, of course we do, but in the 40’s there certainly weren’t any reality TV show stars “iced” out, ready to gallop down the red carpet with their nether regions exposed.

You make a lot of really cute rompers! What is it about rompers that you like so much?

Thanks! I actually don’t think I’m doing any rompers in my next collection. I love rompers for their playfulness and the whole surprise factor, but I’m more into long, breezy dresses at this point. Ya know, the whole bathroom thing ; )

If you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would you be and why?

Somewhere warm, green and lush, please! Maybe a beach in South America with a little straw hut and a fruit garden nearby. Yesss.