“Boys say they don’t mind how you get your hair done. But then they leave you for someone with really great standard girl hair and the next thing you know you’re alone with a masculine crop crying into your granola,” reads an extract of it-girl Alexa Chung’s book It. “But don’t take this too seriously! I don’t actually eat granola…”
Interviewed by Vogue’s influential Editor Alexandra Schulman at the Victoria and Albert Museum last Tuesday, 12th September, Alexa Chung opened herself up to the public in celebration of the launch of the paperback copy of her book. Allowing those special fans that haven’t got enough of her wit and self proclaimed ‘hammy’ personality from the read to delve further into her life, topics such as her childhood, the paparazzi and her true style icons were divulged. Citing her Laura Ashley-wearing drama teacher and her hippy music teacher as influences that moulded her world-renowned style, it became clear from early on that Alexa really is as genuine and kooky as she comes across in the media.
With five years as a contributing editor for Vogue under her belt, writing a book seemed like the obvious next step for the television presenter-turned-model-turned-style-icon. Rather than symbolising the ‘it-girl’ persona associated with her life, Alexa explained that the title ‘It’ represented her process of trying to put the pieces of her life together: What’s happening? What is ‘it’? Despite her natural penchant for writing, her visual personality makes the book full of imagery and nostalgia, offering humorous tips on how to look good without telling people what to do. For instance, it’s generally advisable to look in a mirror before you leave the house…
Right at the end of the hour-long interview, Alexandra Schulman started putting ideas into Alexa’s head, hinting at the beginnings of a potential new adventure – fashion design. Showing great interest, Alexa teased that this may be something for us all to look forward to. “But only if I’m good at it!”
Lorna Slessor