NECKS APPEAL
Secrets of a Master Tie-Maker
by P. Lopez with Egomeli Hormeku
Meet Alexander Olch, master tie-maker.
Q: When did you realize you wanted to become a designer?
Not sure if there was a moment. It’s been a long journey.
Q: How does designing men’s accessories differ from designing clothes?
It’s exciting to design items / objects that are intended to accompany other items / clothes / outfits. In a way, more interesting that designing items which are intended to stand alone.
It’s exciting to design items intended to accompany other items.
Q: Who are some of your favorite designers now?
Christophe Decarnin, Masaya Kuroki.
Q: Do you consider yourself an artist?
On a really good day.
Q: What’s your favorite part about conceptualizing a design?
When I feel so good about a pattern that I’d want to surround myself completely in it, have wallpaper made of it.
Q: What advice do you have for aspiring designers?
Design what you feel proud of – even if everyone says it sucks, ignores you, and tells you to get a different job. If you can honestly believe in your work that much, you will succeed.
Design what you feel proud of.
Q: What do you like best and dislike most about designing?
The best part is to debut something new, that people have never seen before. The worst is having to do it so quickly, every season, every 3-6 months.
Q: How would you define your personal style and the style your line exemplifies?
My collection is entirely personal. It is what I wear I everyday. In a way it’s about contrast: somewhere between downtown and uptown, between formal and messy, between old-fashioned and new.
It’s about contrast: somewhere between downtown and uptown, between formal and messy.
Q: Where do you get your inspiration?
I look around and start thinking, what would I like to wear for the next six months? I’ll be stuck wearing this stuff, so I had better make it look good.
I look around and start thinking, what would I like to wear for the next six months?
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ABOUT EGOMELI HORMEKU
Egomeli is Editor in Chief of Fashion Week Online, and creator of The Hormeku Group.
