INTRODUCTION

[ CURRENTLY RESIDING IN JAPAN ]

Greetings, and welcome to my portfolio. My name is Alexa Tran! By now, you’re probably recalling names such as Alexander McQueen, Alexander Wang, Alyx and Alexa Chung, all of whom are distinguished names within the fashion industry. If you’re questioning whether the industry needs another “Alex-[something],”I'd like to offer my two cents and say, "yes [x10]." With commonalities such as our names and our passion for fashion, I have taken it as a sign and am hoping to follow in their footsteps as both a designer and artist.

The following content is an exploration of my skills and various projects that have been completed during my time as a design student.

“When I started, I was like, I want to create a brand where, for instance, a couple or whoever can sit at the show and take away something that they want as opposed to a guy sitting at a women’s show, not being able to buy or wear anything,”

— Spencer Badu (Article written by Jodi Taylor, 2017)

Because S.P.Badu was located in the shared facilities of the Toronto Fashion Incubator, I was able to work in an environment observing other aspiring designers and contractors. While interning, Spencer assigned tasks such as pattern transferring, fabric cutting and technical design. The following technical illustrations were created using Adobe Illustrator, and were used for the brand's Fall/Winter 2018 collection.

DESIGNS BY: SPENCER BADU // TECHNICAL ILLUSTRATIONS BY: ALEXA TRAN

AD: ALL IMAGES RELATED TO "GHOST IN THE SHELL" WERE RETRIEVED FROM THE INTERNET. ALL CREDITS GOES TO THEIR RESPECTIVE CREATORS.

EVENING WEAR

A clown's tale//

The source of inspiration for this particular project stems from the pantomime character, “Pierrot” as featured in the “Commedia dell’arte.” Borrowing from the character’s costume, this design is a literal and superficial interpretation of the original design as seen in the draped silhouette and the use of the colour white. Other design details include a ruffled collar and a sheer, multi-layer cape composed of mesh and organza that rests over the arms.

The requirements for this second year design project included both an artistic and technical rendering of the intended design, hard patterns derived from a prototype drape, a sewn muslin and a final sample.

MOODBOARD // SOURCE: ALL IMAGES WERE RETRIEVED FROM ONLINE RESOURCES. ALL CREDITS GO TO THEIR RESPECTIVE CREATORS.

CANDOR

group assignment //

As a third year design project, groups of five designers were formed through a randomized selection process. The main objective of this project was to create an original company and a capsule collection which was to be presented at the end of the semester in a showroom format. When developing our company, it was necessary to define both the operations and brand identity. After thorough discussion, the brand initiative would continue under the name, "Candor."

When used in context, Candor, is the human quality of being open, honest and true in expression—all of which were qualities that were expected to be reflected within our group’s operating philosophy. As a collective, each designer had attempted to find a balance between creativity and functionality. Through this project, each member was expected to learn how to cooperate with one another with the aim to create a cohesive project.

C O L L A B O R A T I V E P R O J E C T

CAMPAIGN IMAGES

DESIGNER: EMILY PRESCOTT // MODEL: ADRIAN KELLETT — **DESIGNER: EMILY PRESCOTT** // MODEL: ADRIAN KELLETT

DESIGNER: ZONGZHENG YANG // MODEL: TY SMITHERS — **DESIGNER: ZONGZHENG YANG** // MODEL: TY SMITHERS

DESIGNER: LINDSAY MACDONALD // VIKTOR PETERS — **DESIGNER: LINDSAY MACDONALD** // VIKTOR PETERS

DESIGNER: ALEXA TRAN // MODEL: JEREMY STEEN // PHOTOGRAPHER: REINER PADILLA + BRITANNY ALYSE // HMU: ALEXANDRE DESLAURIERS //EX: CO-WORKERS AND FRIENDS — **DESIGNER: ALEXA TRAN** // MODEL: JEREMY STEEN // PHOTOGRAPHER: REINER PADILLA + BRITANNY ALYSE // HMU: ALEXANDRE DESLAURIERS //EX: CO-WORKERS AND FRIENDS

To briefly summarize, this look represents a "youthful" approach to formal wear. Taking the basic concepts of the three piece suit—consisting of a dress shirt, suit pants, and a vest— certain elements from streetwear fashion were used to enhance each garment, ultimately creating a contemporary fusion between the two styles.

TEAR AWAY "DRESS" SHORTS + BRANDED CALF STRAPS

The shorts in particular are reminiscent of children’s suiting/student uniforms. The focal point of this design, being the tear-away snaps, are derived from athletic sports pants. Finally, the belt and leg straps are custom made through the use of spray painted stencils showcasing the collection’s title, “XII.IV.XVII.”

CLOSE UP featuring dress shirt + translucent vest

The dress shirt, which was considered to be a staple piece in the collection, has been altered with an exaggerated collar and french cuffs and includes an asymmetrical knife pleated panel. The translucent vest completes the ensemble as a simple layering piece with nylon webbing and metallic side release buckles.

ALEKDOTE

graduating collection //

My final collection was presented under the brand name “ALEKDOTE,” a play on the the word “Anecdote” along with my own, developed with the intention of having the consumer buy into my story. The “story” for this particular collection takes inspiration from the critically acclaimed Japanese feature, “Akira,” a quintessential film in defining the cyberpunk genre within Anime. Created in 1988, the movie takes place in the dystopian setting of Neo-Tokyo after an unknown explosion had annihilated everything within close proximity, uprooting the foundations of it’s previous society. The movie is metaphorical for the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and explores various subjects such as anti-authoritarianism, the co-existence of advanced technology with low living standards, and the character development of heroines in a post-apocalyptic society.

The title of the collection is, “Genesis: 2028” where genesis signifies the beginning of the brand as well as the dawn of a new society. 2028 not only represents the year in which this dystopia exists, but is also the specific pantone number for the shade of red used in the collection. To accurately embody this inspiration, the collection—developed for spring/summer 2019—takes a futurist approach to streetwear and the sub-genre of technical wear for a female demographic.

COLLECTION MOODBOARD // SOURCE: ALL IMAGES WERE RETRIEVED FROM ONLINE RESOURCES. ALL CREDITS GO TO THEIR RESPECTIVE CREATORS. — COLLECTION MOODBOARD // SOURCE: ALL IMAGES WERE RETRIEVED FROM ONLINE RESOURCES. ALL CREDITS GO TO THEIR RESPECTIVE CREATORS.

DIGITAL ILLUSTRATIONS [2023] // ORIGINAL SKETCHES [2018]

PHOTOGRAPHER: WILDY RIFTIAN // MODELS: (RIGHT) CHARLOTTE CARBONE + (LEFT) IRIS KIM

PHOTOGRAPHER: WILDY RIFTIAN // MODEL: iRIS KIM — PHOTOGRAPHER: WILDY RIFTIAN // MODEL: IRIS KIM

PHOTOGRAPHER: WILDY RIFTIAN // MODEL: CHARLOTTE CARBONE

PHOTOGRAPHER: WILDY RIFTIAN // MODELS: (RIGHT) IRIS KIM + (LEFT) CHARLOTTE CARBONE

ARITZIA

ASSOCIATE CREATIVE DESIGNER // [positioned offered]

The following garments were designed as a capsule collection following the application project brief provided by the Canadian fashion brand, “Aritzia”. In total, 14 garments were delivered along with a moodboard, coloured sketches, and technical flats illustrating both the front and back of the designs.

The inspiration for the collection is described on the moodboard and reads:

“As we begin to “live” with COVID, many are turning away from their beloved sweats and are emerging from their dens to partake in peak hedonism. As seen repeated throughout history, pandemics and economic depressions are shortly followed by overconsumption, peacocking and endless partying. This collection features hints of digital lavender and is heavily influenced by the glitz and glamour of Hollywood’s Golden Era—complementary to both the pearlcore and old money aesthetic that will continue to trend next year.”