exclusive photoshoot:Alexandra Popescu-York
Romanian-Born, New York city-based designer and artist alexandra popescu-york has fast emerged on the global stage of visual arts and the fashion industry. her work is emotional, vivid and symbolic. combining her design work in the fashion industry with a true passion for painting, popescu-york created a style uniquely her own, a bridge between fashion and art.
She has garnered numerous accolades, with the most recent being the inclusion of her paintings in the United Nations’ 70th anniversary international art exhibition. Also, Ms. Popescu-York’s humanitarian efforts have earned her the title of “Ambassador of Good Hearts and Romanian Culture”. Alexandra Popescu-York’s creations are characterized by each piece’s exquisitely symbolic depiction of carefully selected themes, the most recent ones including “Âme de l’artiste” (soul of the artist), “Phoenix – The Legend”, “Metropolitan” (inspired by art, history and civilization highlights from The Metropolitan Museum of Art), and “GranD’Or” (based on Ms. Popescu-York’s own artistic creations). During the last couple of years, five of Alexandra Popescu-York’s monumental paintings, including the renowned “New York- Past, Present and Future” tryptic, have been designated as background pieces for shows by Couture Fashion Week producer and designer Andres Aquino, an admirer and supporter of Ms. Popescu-York’s creations.
Alexandra, how was your couture brand born?
First of all I want to thank you Giulia Deamina and Deamina magazine for the amazing opportunity to be featured for the second time in your fabulous magazine! I see that you cover for years Couture Fashion Week New York and other major International Shows.
My couture brand was born as an imminent thing. I prepared all my life for that moment. I studied art many years and I majored in fashion design. I knew I am destined to create couture and to have my own brand. In 2008 I started my own company Alexandra Art& Design , a company that will fill all areas of art and design. For example paintings, graphic design, fashion design and ultimately couture. In 2008 I started creating a series of paintings that I exhibited in New York City. In 2013 I was ready mentally and financially to have my own couture brand and fashion shows and in Feb 2014 I had my first runaway show at Couture Fashion Week New York. I mentioned my paintings and the exhibits in the answer of the question regarding having my own couture brand because they are all related . Creating pieces of art and exhibiting them to the eye of the public, either is an art exhibit or a runway show takes a lifetime of dedication and preparation, they became the air that I breathe and I think bringing beauty to the world as the ultimate goal it’s worth any sacrifice. Art and design is who I am and Couture is the combination of them and it comes naturally to have a couture brand.
You presented the new collection during the couture fashion week New York. tell us about this last collection?
Yes, on Feb 14th 2016 I presented my latest Couture Collection, this is my fifth consecutive season at Couture Fashion Week New York. The Collection is entitled “UNLEASHED” and is a splendidly rich Fall-Winter 2016 collection of garments and accessories, as well as a three-day painting exhibition, all inspired by New York City’s vibrancy. Carrying a glamorous avant-garde look that is as edgy and unique as the emblematic New Yorker, “Unleashed” features one-of-a-kind, intricately detailed pieces of clothing, jewellery and handbags made of select, finely embroidered fabrics. Evidently, “Unleashed” is a collection for the woman whose presence is a statement that captures the eye & soul at first sight and remains the centre of everyone’s attention until the end.
Where did you find the inspiration for your collection? the collection is wonderful.
Thank you. It means a lot to have to appreciation of a such talented italian fashion journalist. The inspiration for “Unleashed” Collection FW 16/17 is New York City and it’s energy. The collection is made for the modern woman that is well educated, world traveled, sophisticated and has a strong personality. She is not afraid of getting noticed. My couture dresses are unique, one-of-a-kind. The patters are fully created by me and so are almost of all of the pieces, from the concept to the last detail. I am known for my artistic vision and also for the intricate details. I feel that American design tends to be very linear, tends to simplicity and functionality. I wanted to bring a breath of fresh air, a couture line that is not only far from simple is exactly the opposite. I have an european background and experience both in Europe and America . A collection inspired from New York City, a city that is the crossroad of the worlds cannot be anything less than extravagant and extraordinary.
The music for this runway collection was created especially for it. I created the concept and I collaborated with a very talented young musician (who is also my model-Korney Renee Miranda) to bring it to life. I introduced elements from New York City daily life, the street noise, car honks, words that are cut from New York city air and inspired me like a haiku’: “Caution”, “Bloom”, “Proceed”. “Unleashed” is the name of the New York city woman with an energy that is ready to concur all the obstacles.
You live in new york city for some many years and you work with a lot international designers. what do you think about italian designers? do you have some that you prefer?
I do work with a lot of international designer and I respect everyone of them. Italian designers where always my favorite, probably because the Italian’ reach history and fine taste.
My long time favorites are: Giani Versace, Giorgio Armani, Roberto Cavalli, Dolce and Gabbana, Salvatore Ferragamo, Fendi, Gucci, Missoni, Emilio Pucci.
Future projects?
One of my main goals is to continue my legacy at Couture Fashion Week New York. I want my collections to be bigger, my runway shows larger in number of gowns and to continue growing every day in quality, creativity and customer service. I want to perfect a system where I can make and distribute to more customers around the world. I also want to develop a bigger line of accessories, jewelry, handbags, even shoes and a line of man and children clothes. I want to expand and keep growing.
A great project would be a runway show in Italy!
With my paintings I want to exhibit in more Art Galleries in New York City, Hamptons, Europe and Asia to name a few. I also want to continue my humanitarian projects, to continue to bring a positive message through my art and culture.
Thank You again Deamina Magazine for your interest in my work and for the opportunity of sharing my world with you! I visited Milan few years ago and I was profuondly impressed by it’s architecture, fashion street style and overall beauty! I studied months at the time it’s art history. Perhaps I will dedicate a collection to your beautiful country, Italia!
Who is alessandra popescu-york outside of the biggest international runways and fashion system?
I love this question. I always try to be a complex person, to develop myself in many areas and this question gives me the opportunity to reveal myself and also to push boundaries for the future.
As I mentioned before I am an artist and I work in many forms, I am A MOTHER (that’s a full time job!), wife, humanitarian, I am a passionate traveler and sports affectionate