DESIGNER PROFILE – Alexandra Weiss
Alexandra Weiss is an activewear designer living and working in New York.
What is your employment status?
AW: Freelance Designer
What is your official job title?
AW: Activewear Designer
Please summarize your professional career in 1 to 3 sentences; what should everyone know about you?
AW: I am an activewear designer with over 12+ years experience in the fashion industry having designed for the likes of Eleven by Venus Williams, KSWISS, Umbro, Nicole Miller Active, and HEAD, to name a few.
Describe what you do?
AW: I design and develop activewear collections for brands, many of which I launched the performance category of their label.
What steps did you take to become a designer?
AW: I went to school for fashion design and when I graduated, I moved to New York City to start my career. The program I graduated from at the time was very conceptual, so once I got to New York I continued my education not only in the workplace, but by taking additional computer and marketing classes to better understand the industry.
If you weren’t a designer what would you be?
AW: I love packaging design and illustrating. I dabble in both as a side hustle currently-I think it helps keep me fresh creatively.
What do you like about what you do?
AW: The follow through. I love that you start with a glimmer of an idea, and after going though the process, you end up with the actual product you dreamed up.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
AW: Still creating.
How has your work evolved since you began your career?
AW: My work went from being very conceptual to very functional. Especially being an activewear designer, all details need to have a purpose. In the beginning of my career the first thing on my mind was creating something that looked good at whatever cost. Now the first thing on my mind is considering the customer and creating something dynamic that feels good and acts well for them.
Are there any types of clothing/footwear/accessories that you avoid wearing?
AW: Stiletto heels. They can be beautiful but I cannot walk in them. I must be able to walk in the shoes that I put on my feet.
What are you fascinated by at the moment and how does it feed into your work?
AW: More so curious to see how the functionality of masks will play into future fashion trends. Will people continue to wear them when they are no longer needed? Will it be cool to wear them pulled down over your chin to make a statement? Only time will tell.
What is the biggest lesson that you have learned since you started your career?
AW: Have confidence – create purposefully and stand behind the decisions that you make.
What advice would you give to young designers?
AW: Be open to advice. Ask a lot of questions. Not only will you learn a ton, it will show your superiors that you are interested.
Alexandra Weiss hails from the great city of Scranton, PA and has since lived and worked in New York for almost 13 years with a specialty in activewear design. As a long distance runner and certified spin instructor, she finds that fit and fabric are the driving forces behind any great performance pieces and values purposeful design details that add to its functionality. She currently resides in Brooklyn, NY, but is searching for opportunities domestically and/or internationally.