Meet Xandri Alleyne | Fashion Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Xandri Alleyne and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Xandri, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
Honestly, I’ve already been a very srtistic person. Growing up I was always writing my own song lyrics, making up/ learning dance routines, doodling up my school notebooks with people in different types of fashion with various hairstyles, writing stories, etc. Everyone around me knew it was only a matter of tome before I began to really immerse myself in the field and take it seriously. Instead of playing video games or watching tv shows, I was creating clothes for my Bratz Dolls using a Projecy Runway design table I had asked for for Christmas and scraps of fabric from old clothes. So when I finally told my family members I wanted to pursue fashion design, it was a no brainer to them. I love to express myself creatively, I feel that is how I really release any emotions I have and show my individuality. One of my main driving forces in life is to feel happy and fulfilled with whatever I decide to make a career because that’s something I have to wake up amd face everyday… fashion is that for me.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’m always the bold, risk taker when it comes to fashion in my friend groups. Usually when I walk into an event, people can tell “Oh that’s the friend that does fashion. You a designer, a stylist?” So I feel like my pieces express that. I usually use bold colors, prints, more risqué styles or approaches to certain pieces and I feel like that’s what sets me apart from others. Not only that, but because I want to dip my feet in more creative fields, Xpense might bring to you visuals or videos of conceptualized collections rather than just photographs, etc. I want my viewers to get an experience or follow a story from my work. An example of this would be my recent Valentine’s Day collaboration release with Logan James LLC! I’m definitely excited about the support of my brand growing and seeing how people grasp my ideas/ new designs and ventures. I’m excited to release more visualizers and fashion shows in the near future, as well as expand Xpense’s reach. I got where I am today through faith, determination and hard work. There have been so many ups and downs, no dream is easy regardless of what field you’re entering! Anyone in the fashion field knows that there’s times where you feel underappreciated and overlooked, but honestly you have to push through. Networking, connections and just constantly refining as well as researching my craft definitely got me to where I am today. I’ve learned so much along the way; the main thing I learned being that if you want it, you definitely can achieve it. Just blovk out the noise and focus on you, believe in you. Noone is going to live your life other than yourself, so you might as well make it a fulfilling, gratifying one.

When people see or hear Xpense, I want them to take something away from it. Xpense is a lifestyle, an experience, not just a fashion brand. The driving force of this brand is to promote confidence and a sense of individuality in its supporters while also co-existing within a community — inclusivity and representation for all.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
This is so hard because since I’m a New York City native, specifically from Brooklyn, I swear I’m the biggest advocate for all things NYC. There are so so much things to do, places to go. I’m definitely the foodie of my friend group, so my eatery list could go on for centuries. But I would definitely take them for some soul food at Peaches, caribbean food straight from my mother’s kitchen (shoutouts to Maxine!), italian food from Carmine’s, get drinks at Dive Bar in Astoria. I’d probably take them to a lounge on Steinway St as well, it’s a whole stretch of hookah lounges in Queens and you get a broad selection of music! They would definitely have to come to a party located in the heart of Brooklyn with me as well. Our people are different, music is different .. I feel like it’ll be such an authentic experience. You really just have to be there most of the time! Of course I would have them do all the tourist NY stuff like go to times square, the summit one, statue of liberty, take the ferry to governor’s island (hopefully during governor’s ball), go to barclays for an event and I definitely cannot ever forget my favorite museum, The Met! Home of The Met Gala. Go to different pop up museums that pop up in the city during that season, take them shopping in Soho (my favorite place to be) and go clubbing in LES for a small change of scenery. I feel like between Brooklyn, Williamsburg and the Soho area you meet a wide range of people, have a wide range of different acitivities and cultures at your disposal. So those are definitely my favorite locations.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I definitely want to give a shoutout not only to the Lord for providing me with all of the blessings I’m receiving; but for my late father for investing and believing in my dreams first (he bought me my first and current sewing machine and just morivated me to be whatever I want to be with no shame.) R.I.P my guardian angel. Also my mother because she’s the one that’s up helping me at 4 a.m to get a custom sewing job done or put the finishing touches on my collections; she’s my backbone. My friends for constantly supporting me, uplifting me, being there for me! This is their brand too honestly, they’re definitely ambassadors and are always going to put on for Xpense. I have the beat friends ever and I love them so much. They see all the ups, downs, doubts, successes, failures and they still manifest NYFW for me everytime. Last but not least, I thank anyone who’s ever supported me! If you came to me for a custom job, bought a piece, shared a post, commented on one, even just inquired about modeling or purchasing something — it does not go ignored! I love you all so much and everything I am is because of all of you.

Website: https://www.xpensenyc.com/

Instagram: @xan.kardash

Linkedin: Xandri Alleyne

Other: https://xanslavishlooks.wordpress.com/ (portfolio)