FOR those who in are in middle of organising their summer wardrobe, South African designer Alexis Barrell's little-known eponymous label is a go-to destination. Whether you're looking for billowing dresses to take on holiday or the perfect skirt to wear to work, Barrell's latest spring/summer 2013 collection encapsulates carefree laid-back luxury. The brand is now available to buy in the UK for the first time, having been exclusively snapped up bymy-wardrobe.com.
"The signature silhouette is unconstrained and never tries too hard - in other words no strict tailoring or body sculpting," Barrell said. "We're catering for urban women who need dressed-up casual pieces to fit into their busy lifestyles. I think that these women often have a developed point of view and are looking to differentiate rather than follow."
Barrell launched her label in 2010, having studied at Istituto Marangoni in London. She then moved to New York to train with fellow South African designer Marc Bouwer. Although now based in the UK, Barrell also has a studio in Greece. Her collections are inspired by faraway travels, with her latest offering influenced by the wildlife of Africa - think exotic printed skirts with front splits in both silk and leather, loose oversized shirts, visors covered with printed headscarves and brocade city shorts.
"My aesthetic has an international feeling about it, which is a change from that of many very British designers at the same level," Barrell told us. "Other than that, the price point is reasonable, the collections are wearable and quite easily layered - yet the pieces are truly unique. It's a way to blend creative, fashion pieces into your wardrobe without breaking your bank. I think that British women do like to express themselves in a unique way, so this is potentially something that they are looking for."
The launch of her own e-commerce store is next on the designer's agenda, along with a few potential collaborations. For now though, her focus is firmly on the UK.
"Once you have built confidence here, it is relatively easy to spread further - with the UK as base and precedent," she explained. "You see the same sense of caution displayed by most markets in a conservative phase, although there's still an openness to the new, the eccentric, and quality-based products that isn't common."
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