Alex Eagle is one of the most influential designers of the zeitgeist, effortlessly weaving her informal yet refined aesthetic between everything from bespoke tailoring to jewelry, cosmetics, furniture and - most recently her hotel, Oakley Court. Eagle’s inimitable taste is perhaps most beautifully exhibited in her highly curated flagship retail space, The Store X, at cultural destination par exemplar 180 The Strand in London. Working chiefly from her eponymous studio in London's iconic Soho, Eagle has become somewhat synonymous with a rarefied minimalism that leads the way in the environs of a luxury industry seeking to be defined not only by attention to detail but also by an ethical approach to production. In this exclusive interview for OYSTEO, the maverick designer tells us why true style is defined by adherence to a less-is-more mindset, and takes us on a journey into the dreaming beauty of Yves Klein.
What do you think was the genesis of your creative path in life?
I was, of course, always dreaming of clothes as a child. I would spend all my pocket money on the collection's magazines, and I would treasure them. I knew every collection inside out – throughout my whole childhood, and well into my 20s, I would constantly rip out magazines and make collages. My mum says she would always find me moving furniture around and reshaping my room in the middle of the night as a child, and I was always collecting things. I think all of that has stayed with me. I'm always thinking about the record that's playing or the smell of our display spaces – looking to capture a feeling that you can't quite put your finger on. I love creating inviting spaces with lots of light that are neither overcrowded nor overloaded with product. I want people to come across things they wouldn't usually. That sense of exploration and discovery is vital.
What do you consider to be fundamental to great design?
If you can make something decorative that also has a function, that is great design. I think there's an art in making something simple, and that's what I'm constantly trying to do. It's always about trying to perfect something down to its bare bones because you just don't need lots of ornate decoration. I love things that are utilitarian, functional, and practical. To me, that makes them kind of beautiful in themselves. I studied art history, which is something I reference all the time in interiors, fashion, jewelry… everything that I do. The main question for me is always the same – how do you make something better? Ultimately, it comes down to how something's made, and in terms of clothes, it is always about fabric – attention to fabric is the consistent thread throughout everything that I do.
Would it be fair to say you have an ethically led less-is-more aesthetic?
I like the idea that we make things that you can wear or use to death, so we're always working on how we can make the kindest, most long-term things that people can rely on. I don't call myself sustainable in my marketing, but I hope people understand that we are on a journey and trying to be as good as we possibly can be. I think a big chunk of the luxury consumer expects there to have been due diligence in where and how things are made and what fabrics are used. It should be a given in luxury that these things are considered. I'm strict with myself about wearability – really considering what works for men, what works for women, and what you actually need in your wardrobe day-to-day. I'm always considering the basics of your wardrobe or the foundations of a home. If you buy a sofa from us, for example, then it's going to last you a lifetime. It's going to have an impact in your home, but also be kind of invisible.
What would you say was your most treasured possession?
I would have to say my Yves Klein table, because it is an indigo blue that is just so transporting. I can stare at it for hours – it's like looking down at a cloud, you see patterns emerging, you see figures. I find blue a very calming color, and in my own work, I'm always trying to find an equilibrium that makes you feel relaxed, calm, and comfortable, but also luxurious. I think apart from my table, my other most precious thing is probably whatever book I'm reading at that time. I actually think this period we've had where the world was paused has been an amazing wake-up call in terms of what we really value – it's really made me think about being centered and putting down the mobile phone. I love having time to myself and with my children.
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