Closet Confidential: Alexandra Holker

A Fire Force…

Article by: Soph Penelope Hill

I’ll admit it: Alexandra is someone who has always kind of intimidated me. Before our interview, we had never spoken. But I would see her around on the streets with her amazing hair, usually wearing a chic, probably faux fur coat. She seemed so chill, yet so steadfastly fashionable. She somehow effortlessly blends the essence of the 70s with the glamour of the Victorian era. And she is very, very fierce. As I got to know her through our talk, I realized she is about the loveliest person you could ever spend time with. But her fierceness remained the same.  Alexandra is truly a jack of all trades, but above all, a master of style.

A pair of Alexandra’s 70s-inspired trousers.

As someone who is born and bred in the world’s hub, aka Central London, Alexandra is filled with the vibrancy of the streets. So in some ways, she is quintessentially British, but in other ways, a bohemian mix of every experience and place she has come across. And while the city has given her an undeniable edge, like the moon to the waves, she is ruled by femininity. A-line cuts and very sweet fabrics make up most of Alexandra’s wardrobe, drawing inspiration from Pride and Prejudice and Austen novels alike. As she has matured and come into her own, the feminine aspects of her style have become more understated, and Alexandra reaches for corduroy skirts and flowy, intricately patterned tops. Similar vibe, different approach.

For her, the lure of aesthetics is a major factor in how she approaches putting together an outfit. As an Art History major, an outfit is equivalent to a painting. There are textual elements and facets of design that she values with just as much importance as the comfort and fit of a jean. Alexandra’s love of femininity also translates into her love and passion for women’s rights and equality. She has always been a gender equality activist and incorporates this into tasteful imagery of the female form, which is displayed, for example, in her vast collection of corsets. Alexandra uses the past as a vehicle to communicate who she is in the present.

An intricately embroidered corset taken from Alexandra’s wardrobe.

One dimension of Alexandra’s wardrobe that I think everyone should take note of is her commitment to sustainable fashion. As a vegan, Alexandra puts her money where her mouth is, by making a political statement through her shopping choices. Almost every single item of clothing in her closet is either vintage or from a sustainably sourced brand. Not only does this enhance her stylistic uniqueness but it aligns with her values. For example, she collects items from Portobello Market, scavenging for exactly the right piece to complete the vision inside her head. She is a shining example of how fast fashion does not need to dictate personal expression and perhaps might inhibit it.

Portobello Road Market at twilight

While we continued our discussion, Alexandra passed along a lesson I think we all eventually learn, but she seems to be way ahead of the curve. As she reminisced about growing up with features that stood out, such as her red hair and crystal blue eyes, people were always paying attention. I think a lot of people would have leaned away from the spotlight in such circumstances, but Alexandra leaned in. She turned the occasionally unwanted attention into a platform to display her creativity and passion. And she shows us all that standing out in the crowd shouldn’t be scary, but empowering. When other people zig, Alexandra zags. Perhaps it is being yourself, in a world full of people who are pretending to be others, which is really one of the most courageous things you can do. Alexandra does this while looking straight fire fabulous.

Home is where the heart is: Alexandra’s style extends from the clothes she wears to how she decorates her living space.

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