MODA Designer Profile: Alex LaBossiere-Barrera
Alex LaBossiere-Barrera is a third year in the College majoring in economics and computer science while pursing a minor in architectural studies. He has been a designer for MODA since his first year, is a member of the varsity swimming team and Edge Entrepreneurship, and enjoys engaging in startup projects, music production, and writing about tech. Read on for Alex’s take on the artistic freedom he’s found in fashion design:
What about the MODA Fashion Show has kept you coming back to be a designer?
It’s the most incredible creative outlet. Having the ability to step away from class, work, or anything else going on and just work on designs for a while is incredibly cathartic.
Alex LaBossiere-Barrera
Did you have experience with fashion design work before becoming a MODA Show designer?
Not really. I was always into fashion because I hung around people who were huge enthusiasts but would always be pretty conservative with it personally. I didn’t even know how to sew until I did Designer Boot Camp in my first year.
What are your main creative inspirations?
I tend to extrapolate on things I could see myself wearing. I’ve definitely gotten more boring in the way I dress over the years, though, so I’m probably just living vicariously though my models at this point.
Does your collection this year have a theme? What were your inspirations?
I struggled with that for a while, but in all honesty a big part of what made this year’s collection so enjoyable was giving myself the liberty to just make what felt right. I literally walked into a fabric shop with no idea of what I wanted to make and came up with the entire collection on the spot.
That aside, I made a point to ask my models what they enjoyed wearing and did my best to incorporate elements of that into their clothes. It’s a lot more important to me this year that they feel comfortable in what I make.
Has the pandemic changed or influenced your design/creative process?
Above all else, it’s given me a lot more time to work and has kept me somewhat sane as we’ve all been confined to our homes. In some respects it’s also forced some introspection, hence the lack of tangible theme. Maybe the lack of clear creative vision detracts from it all, but it’s also a lot more personal and definitely feels better this way.
What are some of the most challenging and rewarding aspects of the process?
For starters, I’m still not terribly effective at all this. It took me about two weeks to make Elizabeth’s jacket so you can imagine I’ve built up some patience. On the other hand, it’s amazing to have the creative liberty and technical capability to have pretty much any idea you want take form in front of you.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Spend the time making five great pieces instead of ten okay ones.
Is there anything else you want people to know?
You know that thing you’ve always wanted to do? Stop waiting—get started.
Photos courtesy of Alex. Thumbnail by Vivian Li.
