James Alix Thomas Fall/Winter 2011
Photos: Stephan Moskovic
Text: Jonathan Shia
For his debut collection, Alix designer James Alix Thomas said he looked to the idea of modern-day heroes for inspiration. “I wanted to present a strong, clear vision of men and character,” he explained at his presentation. “There’s a heavy emphasis on tailoring and construction.” That detailing came through in the sharp eight looks he presented, composed of dark suiting and a few pieces that were reminiscent of the uniforms of polar explorers. Several of the pieces had intricate seaming along the shoulders, and others were layered for a fit that was both sturdy and slick. But the real standouts of the collection were the technical fabrics themselves, like one that was nearly gossamer on one side and waterproof on the other, or a neoprene-twill blend. Thomas lit up with evident delight as he ran the many pieces through his fingers, saying, “I think for me exploring fabrics is just as much a part of the process as designing.”
