FLAUNT - The Generation Issue

“Seriously, who wants to pay $150 for a
t-shirt?” While we all know there is quite
a percentage of people who don’t mind
it, I’m sure those who prefer not to pay
that amount (or simply can’t afford to)
are far greater. Joshua McLeod, founder
of the blog and online storefront Victor
+ Alexander, made it very clear that he
believes in living a life of high fashion
and glamour. But who says it has to be at
the expense of owning pricey designer
labels?
Labels are great and most certainly
have their place in the industry, but
with companies like H&M, Forever 21,
Zara and ASOS on the rise it’s almost
impossible to differentiate between high
and fast fashion labels.
Even more so, there are tons of
individuals who have taken to the
art of DIY (Do It Yourself) fashion. In
conversing with Joshua and viewing his
blog and past and upcoming handbag
collections, I couldn’t help but admire
the craftsmanship and dedication that
he puts into it all.
“Basically it all started with a Jack
Spade bag that I really needed in my
life,” he says. “But the problem, like
so many other things I want, was that
it was too expensive. For all of my life
I’ve lived by my motto, “If I can’t afford
it, then I can figure out how to make it.
And that’s what I did.” And there are so
many others doing it as well. The first
major project for Victor + Alexander, a
collection of vegan leather handbags,
launched in March of this year. Other
projects featured on the blog cover
a wide range of lifestyle categories
including style, home, art and travel.
Beyond the workroom of Victor +
Alexander, there are tons of other
project inspirations available from a
number of individuals who have blogs
and vlogs. Joshua mentioned some of
his personal favorites, which include Mr.
Kate, P.S. I Made This, Flax & Twine, and
Martha Stewart.
So the major question or concern I
think would be whether or not the DIY
craze poses a threat of some sort to the
fashion industry? Potentially. It most
certainly affects it, but not necessarily
in a negative way. If we’re honest, a
majority of people are far too lazy to
go about making things on their own,
especially not an accessory or an entire
wardrobe.
Joshua and I proceeded to discuss the
matter and he believes that the projects
done by major DIYers will simply open
followers’ eyes to big name designers
that they draw inspiration from. He puts it
in a rather relatable ontext. “If Alexander
Wang makes a pair of gold metallic harem
pants and I absolutely have to have
them, I make them. Then my followers
are directed towards the original, and
they look at his entire collection […] so
they simply buy it themselves. In the
long run, for me at least, its the high
fashion labels that inspire my DIYs.” I
drifted off momentarily at this moment
just Imagining the amazing creation
that would be golden pants by Wang.
Um, yes please? Then we laughed off
the thought of DIYers mass-producing
designer quality clothing. That’ll be the
day…
While I may never develop the skills
necessary to make half of the amazing
things that Joshua does, there is
something fascinating I think to us
all, young and old, about being selfsufficient
in any capacity.
Find out more about Joshua,
and Victor + Alexander at
www.victoralexanderco.com.