Hello, I’m Alexa Chung, you’re watching NET-A-PORTER’s Fashion Challenge.
It’s been a bit of a, sort of weird time for us all
and I really couldn’t take anything else more unexpected
so I decided that I would actually set myself the challenges
and they’re all kind of based around things that I can’t wait to do as soon as we’re out of lockdown.
But before we get to the actual challenge itself,
I thought I could talk through some of my mood boards
and inspirations for our new collection.
Come into my lair.
So, I wanted to talk to you about my spring collection, Vertigo,
which was inspired by horror movies,
and it kind of expressed itself
with these amazing prints that we have.
We’ve got the ‘Shadow Puppet’ print.
there’s the ‘Ditsy Mushroom’
which is like a trippy ‘Alice in Wonderland’ vibe.
I’ll start with a mood board like this.
And so I’ll put up pictures of Isabella Rossellini,
who’s very much the kind of icon of our collection.
Or, like, notes...
so I’ll be, like, we should be watching ‘The Shining’.
All of this spins into ideas and shapes.
And then this lovely collection comes out,
which I’m really, really happy with.
There you have it,
that was a whirlwind trip around our collection.
but now, to the challenges.
Let’s go.
Challenge number one.
I don’t know why I said it like that.
Your local is finally open.
Your friends have only actually seen
your shoulders-up look
for the best part of a year
and you want to show them that, yes,
you do still like getting dressed.
What do you wear to the local pub
for a Sunday roast with friends?
Very English, this one.
Sunday roast with friends, in a pub.
I cannot wait.
When I go to the pub of a Sunday,
I also like to combine it with a flower-market experience.
So, I want to try and dress like Belle from ‘Beauty and the Beast’.
As if I’m like waltzing through the set.
Birds are flying down landing on my shoulders.
It’s just, like, idyllic.
So, definitely, I want to be wearing a dress.
and it could be this...
which we call the ‘Milkmaid’ dress,
is literally built for a Sunday.
So, I’d wear this guy.
Then shoe-wise…
OK, the shoes that I probably
should wear would be like a boot.
Something like this...
like a heavy-tread zone.
But actually...
even though they’re impractical
I love these Manolo ballerina style.
And a slip-on shoe, for me, is very challenging...
And honestly, I can’t keep them on my feet.
So, these, this...
and definitely a basket bag.
I’m going to put this on and then we’ll see what other touches it might need.
Ta-da.
Do you know what, these are delightful but I don’t think they’re right.
Soo...
Might be this guy.
Yeah, cute!
And...
a little warm cardi
for over the shoulders.
And then it’s a bit of this.
Voilà, Sunday roast with friends.
And then you’re like...
“Hi. Ooh, just the wine for me, thank you.
Ah, have they got a veggie roast?
Great, let’s do it.
Ahh, no tables? What!
OK, we’ll wait here and chat for an hour.”
I can’t wait.
Challenge number two.
Is this the end of Instagram Live gigs from musicians in their kitchens?
Let’s hope so.
No that’s mean, they were great, we really enjoyed them.
But, you’ve almost forgotten what it’s like to stand out in the crowd.
What do you wear to a gig with friends?
Um, a gig with friends…
It’s always tough with gigs because,
well, it depends what kind of music you like,
but I like, quote unquote, rock and roll.
Trying to look gig-appropriate...
but not too “rock” to a rock gig is a fine balance.
That said...
I do feel like I want to wear leather.
We made these really amazing black leather shorts.
So I think definitely going to incorporate these into the zone.
And then...
And then to juxtapose that...
And then...
OK, if I’m not wearing tights then definitely a boot.
But if I am wearing tights then maybe it’s a heel.
And also...
As I’m getting older...
it’s not like a dreamy way of expressing that.
Anyway, as I’m getting older...
I do want to dress...
more sexy.
Before it’s too late.
So I think I’m going to wear, like a Jimmy Choo.
These remind me of like a ’70s punk-girl vibe.
Like maybe Nancy.
I’ll be the Nancy to someone’s Sid.
Anyway, I’ll try it on and then we’ll amend it.
Be right back.
There’s life in the old dog yet.
She still wears hot pants...
They’re still leather...
I don’t care.
I would say little bag with you...
for lipstick, mobile phone, passport.
maybe you’re going to end up on the PJ.
It depends what caliber of band you’re hanging out with.
Heels, probably not that great for a gig.
but it’s literally the first time out of the house in a year.
So, let’s just throw caution to the wind and go crazy.
Oh, take sunglasses...
because if it goes well, you might be staying out all night.
That’s a solid look, right there.
Oh, one more thing.
I do have the option of a matching leather jacket.
I mean, am I in the band? Am I watching the band?
It doesn’t really matter...
that’s the gig look.
OK, challenge three.
You’re at the airport.
“What’s an airport?” I hear you cry.
It’s one of those places where you go...
and then you get on a plane,
and then you go to another country.
It was really fun, you’re gonna like it again.
But anyway, you’ve never been more excited
to buy an oversized Toblerone at duty-free.
Show us your best airport attire.
I used to spend a lot of my life at the airport
and airport dressing is something that I really, really enjoy doing
because I think it’s a moment where
you know you’re going to be surrounded by strangers.
So, I would wear...
Dungarees, because I usually do.
So these would be really cool with a T-shirt underneath.
And...
Ugh, this coat...
That when I made it...
I was like, this is an airport coat.
It’s the dream airport coat.
It’s the ‘Truman’ navy coat.
It’s really nice to wear.
It swishes around.
It doubles as a blanket, you know,
when you’re sitting on the plane.
I’ll put this on and then we’ll figure out what the accessories are.
Come on you.
Yes!
I’m getting out of here!
Just to show you that I’m excited.
So, airports, I love.
Actually making an effort in an airport. I think it’s really key.
You never know who you’re going to meet.
You never know whether they might want to upgrade you.
They don’t.
Little satchel.
Which is never big enough for what you actually need.
You need something that can fit your magazines.
A Pret or another brand of takeaway food.
Weird stuff that you don’t need from duty-free.
I like to buy a red lipstick.
Because when I land, you put that on
and then you trick people into thinking you’re not exhausted.
And the absolute key thing...
A shoe...
That can slip on and off easily.
as you go into the, um, whatchamacallit…
What is that thing called?
Security. Wow, it’s been a while.
Another thing...
I like to take a pyjama with me.
Then you can annoy all the other passengers
by getting in a full pyjama set
and sitting in the middle aisle.
Acting like you’re in first class.
Pop the Champagne you brought with you.
and it’s a perfect experience.
But anyway, also doubles as a handy outfit...
say, you’re going somewhere warm.
You can wear your bikini.
And a pair of denim hot pants and this shirt.
Or you can wear these
with an oversized T-shirt and some really cool flip-flops
such as, ugh, handy!
These!
But anyway, whatever, you’re not taking those to the airport with you
they’re in your bag.
So that’s it!
Voilà!
This is the airport look.
Ugh, I love going to the airport!
There we have it
that was my Fashion Challenge for NET-A-PORTER
I’ve been Alexa Chung.
I hope you’ve enjoyed that.
Bye!
Uh, dungarees…