Friday Guest Blog Interview: Made by Lex!

Many of you may remember a little giveaway I co-hosted with Alexis from Made by Lex in the fall of last year – we teamed up to share a beautiful tablescape complete with handmade napkin rings made by this oh-so talented blogger. We actually grew up in the same neck of the woods (Santa Cruz, California) and share a similar stomping ground, so I was SO surprised when I learned last year that she has a fabulous blog full of her beautiful style and delicious handmade clothing & refashions!

And while I’m not quite ready to reveal a little project I’ve been working on for Pepper, Made by Lex and her beautiful designs are right up my and its alley. Her original designs and tutorials are stunning – she shares tips for replicating our favorite pieces from Anthropologie and even couture designers like Valentino. Alexis shares daily wear ideas (it’s so fun to see how others dress) and all of her designs are modeled by any one of her four sisters.

Alexis began sewing as a little girl with her Grandmother but really fell in love with the art a few years ago. Since then, she has created and sold beautiful patterns and clothing through her Etsy shop and just recently launched a line at the clothing & home goods store Stripe (an Anthropologie-style store in Santa Cruz).

Mom to three beautiful daughters, much of her inspiration began with the girls – but it has slowly grown into a stylish design collection of both refashions and originals for women, too. Her former blog, My Mama Made It, took on it’s own transition earlier this year when I helped to launch her new Made by Lex identity (a great look, if I do say so myself!).

Alexis takes a moment to share her favorite inspirations and to answer PDB’s four questions, after the jump!

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{PDB Interview with Alexis of Made by Lex}

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What inspires your design style?

I like classic looks- looks that stand the test of time. I love it when an outfit looks nice, but not too put together. I call it “effortlessly chic”. I’m obsessed with white and all shades of it. I always think it looks classic yet modern at the same time. I love asymmetry. Most of my designs are slightly asymmetrical. I think it’s so much more interesting and unexpected. I also am inspired by interesting textures I love simple designs with lots of dimension. Again, it makes it much more interesting.

What do you love most about what you do?

What are your favorite design trends?

I love the nautical and military themes going on. I love navy, cream and grey together, vintage nautical buttons and the rawness of ropes that are being used to accessorize. The light denims are refreshing. I love the sweet, feminine looks I’m seeing on the runways- tiny vintage inspired floral prints, crochet/lace accents, and girly textures and ruffled details.

What are three design suggestions that you would like to offer our readers?

{1} Spend money on classic, quality pieces, not trendy fads. The things I’ll spend more money on are higher quality items that I know will last me years so I don’t have to keep replacing low quality pieces. And since the pieces I buy are classic, you never have to worry about them going out of style.

{2} To keep up with the latest styles, buy trendier items in the form of inexpensive accessories, shoes or bags. That way it just adds a pop of a trendy look, not head to toe. It keeps your look timeless, and you’re not spending too much money on things that will be out of style next month.

{3} Don’t put too much emphasis on it. It’s just clothes. You don’t need quantity, just some pieces that make YOU feel good. Something I try to remember each day is, “Live, laugh love. The most important things in life aren’t things.”

Thank you, Alexis!

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Images in this interview are from parties and inspiration boards found at Made by Lex.