Issue 6. ALEX
ALEX + THEIR CARAMEL CLEMENTINE DRESSING
The first impression of Alex was over a zoom call, where they wore blue eyeliner and nail polish to match the unit color we were starting in our grad school program. It was love at first sight. I think everyone in our course had this experience, because Alex is so widely loved by everyone who meets them. In fact, I’ve never introduced Alex to someone who didn’t love them. They have a glowing positive energy about them (and a contagious laugh to match), and they never fail to make me or the people around them feel welcomed and comfortable. Their imagination is expansive, and can be witnessed through every facet of their being. Need a friend who can create a whole outfit out of ribbon and safety pins? Or someone who can create 3D printed accessories that reflect the struggle of hyper-masculinity in gay male communities? Or, perhaps you need someone who can coordinate a choreographed music video that explores gender identity? Alex can do it all. I’m often wow’d by the rich visual worlds that they create through their work and essence, and being their friend has made life in London so full and bright!
The Outfit
When I asked Alex to describe their outfit in three words, they said: Playful, Strong, and Authentic.
Alex uses fashion to tell a story, or express a feeling. “You can know what I’m feeling by what I’m wearing,” they shared. “There’s a lot you can read into”. Growing up with Finnish and Swedish parents, Alex was inspired by the clean cut of their fathers Finnish clothing and their grandmother’s appreciation for beautiful, well-made pieces. When Alex came out at 15, they kept their structured silhouette but added their personality through texture and accessories. You’ll rarely see Alex without their signature pearls around their neck. Growing up, they’d watch their sisters receive heirloom jewelry pieces that were passed down from their mother or grandmother, and always wished to be a part of it. For our graduation, Alex’s mother gifted them a pair of pearl earrings, starting their own collection of heirloom pieces to cherish and pass down. They shared how their fashion makes them feel confident, and although it’s visually flexible, it’s acts as a constant in their life. As they put it, a secure little rock in the storm.
Their fashion stands for so much of who Alex is: it honors their family and past, it acts as a translator of their feelings and stories, and it grounds them in who they are. It’s complex and beautiful, and I admire how much depth and meaning goes into Alex’s wardrobe.
The Dressing
When I asked Alex to describe their dressing in three words, they said: Dreamy, Sweet, and Satisfying.
Alex created an Ottolenghi caramel and clementine marinade repurposed as a dressing poured over a bright plate of citrus fruits, mint, and feta. While Alex was living in Sweden, they’d wake up Saturday morning after a heavy night out and prepare an elaborate brunch with one of their best friends. This dressing is one of the dishes they made on one of those hungover mornings, and continues to be a favorite of Alex's (“I could drink this dressing, it's so good”). That wonderful complexity we see with their fashion comes through in their dressing - its sweet, savory, and spicy all at the same time. It’s a flavor I’ve never had before, unique like Alex, but tied to story from their life that makes it all the more meaningful.
Alex’s Caramel + Clementine Dressing (by Ottolenghi)
You can find the link to the recipe and instructions here! Instead of putting it on chicken, Alex uses the marinade as a dressing. Here are the ingredients for the salad they put the dressing on top of:
Sliced Grapefruit
Sliced Clementines
Chopped Mint
Chopped Dates
Feta
That afternoon in Alex’s apartment, I watched as with a flourish of their hands, they prepared a stunning and delicious salad. That is the magic of Alex - they can make everything feel luxurious and beautiful, even a salad. As someone who’s lucky enough to spend a lot of time with Alex, this is no anomaly. They put in effort to create beauty. Through their fashion, work, and cooking, they create the world they want to live in. A world where things just are beautiful, lavish, and thought provoking. They want to live in an interesting world, and so they make it that way. I’m lucky I get to be a small part of the world they create.
Alex is a film maker, art director and photographer in London! You can see their work here or follow them here.
Thank you for reading! Until next time <3