From Margiela to Moschino, Alexandra Carl Explores the Psychology of Fashion Archives

A longtime advocate for the artistry and history embedded in fashion, stylist and author Alexandra Carl has translated her deep appreciation for archival collecting and vintage into her latest endeavor, a book with Rizzoli titled aptly Collecting Fashion. Born in Copenhagen, the London-based stylist developed her meticulous eye for detail through her lifelong reverence for construction. Her work and development as a vintage devotee is informed by her upbringing, studying garments inside out with her grandmother and absorbing the clash of cultures upon moving to London. Carl’s book unpacks the psychology of collecting, exploring the stories behind the most dedicated fashion archivists and their lifelong pursuits of elusive pieces. From Moschino’s Adrian Appiolaza and his unparalleled collection of Comme des Garçons, Junya, and Margiela to writer Alex Fury’s meticulously curated archive, Collecting Fashion is a testament to the emotional resonance of clothing where each piece is a memory, a moment, and an artifact to fashion’s evolving history. Models.com spoke to Carl to learn more about her process of making Collecting Fashion, the collaborators who made it happen, and the value of archiving major fashion history.