Alex Bailey
Alex Bailey is a digital content creator, photographer, and filmmaker. Alex’s TikTok focuses on sustainability in fashion. She posts where to shop, shopping on a budget, the history of thrifting, and much more. Alex’s TikTok has over 39k followers and over 2.5 million likes.
What got you interested in sustainable fashion?
Sustainable clothing has always been part of my life since I was young because my mom who sewed most of her own clothes when she was growing up taught me to respect the craftsmanship of clothing when I was young. Another huge factor in my sustainability/thrifting journey is the cost of new clothing. My family prioritized helping others in financial need versus buying material items so buying brand new brand items was not something we ever did. For example, Paul Frank was extremely trendy when I was in elementary school. My mom thrifted a damaged Paul Frank sweater to fix for me since I loved the monkey logo. Half of Paul’s face was torn off and hanging by some threads but my Mom fixed it and sewed it back on. To me Paul Frank was a designer brand and not only did I wear that sweater religiously I was so excited that my mom found it and fixed it for me. Having someone put the effort into fixing the sweater made it that much more special. I’ve always respected my parents decision to use their money to help other versus spending on material items. This helped me turn into, dare I say it, a pretty good thrifter.
How has fashion impacted your life?
The connection that can be made with others over fashion has had a really wonderful impact on my life. Having a conversation with someone about their wonderfully strange shoes that I would have not spoken to otherwise or having a little old lady tell me that she used to wear the style of dress that I am wearing brings great joy to my life. Fashion is a really unique way to learn about how other people see and experience the world. I’m really grateful for all the wonderful conversations I have had about fashion.
What drew you to the TikTok platform?
In 2020, I was really inspired to see so many folks share their outfits, as dreams, goals, and hardships on TikTok They do so with often great honesty. These people are going to have a really beautiful document of their life through videos that they’ve posted online. I thought that when I am old, I would like to be able to look back one day and look at the TikTok videos I made. My goal has always been to use TikTok to document a small part of life and, if folks connect with it, that’s an even greater bonus.
What are some challenges with being on TikTok?
I am fortunate to be surrounded by an extremely supportive community on TikTok that I’m grateful for. If anything, I turn to making TikTok to escape the challenges that life presents such as wildly increasing rent costs, food insecurity and other issues we are all facing. Making TikTok’s and thrifting allows me to escape from the challenges of real life for a brief moment. I’m very thankful for that.
You have found some amazing pieces, what are some of your favorites?
My favorite, thrifted piece is a 2003 Alexander McQueen blazer from spring summer. The blazer is damaged, but it was one of my first true archival finds. It inspired me to remember that you never know what you can find if you just look a little closer. I’m currently trying to thrift a frame for the blazer to hang in my room to remind me that there are often incredible things right in front of us if we take the time to look. Alexander McQueen was my favorite designer growing up, and I never thought that I would touch one of his pieces yet alone own one. I truly respect Alexander McQueen as an artist and I’m very grateful for the blazer.
Who or where do you look to for fashion inspiration?
Some of my favorite creators whom I look to for inspiration include @aliyahsinterlude1 aka Aliyah core, @tinyjewishgirl Clara Perlmutter, stylist Law Roach and old photos of Jane Birkin.
You find many vintage pieces, are there any decades you prefer?
Currently I am into 1960s mini dresses. I love the silhouettes and feel really comfortable in them. I would love to find a 1960s Paco Rabanne dress such as the one worn by icon Donyale Luna in Vogue 1966. Donyale Luna is also a huge style inspiration for me.
What season is your favorite to dress for?
Fall is my favorite season to dress for and this is heavily impacted by growing up in Toronto and spending many years in Montreal for university. Fall always brings winds that make everything feel fresh and there’s something about bringing out your cozy sweaters and blankets from under your bed after a warm summer that is comforting.
Do you have any tips for thrift shopping?
My best tip for thrift shopping is to look at the garments for their shape versus the brand. I was fortunate to grow up with a mom who sews so when shopping I was taught to approach looking at the construction of clothes versus the brand. I enjoy the piece of clothing I’m wearing and I like how the fabric feels on me. I love finding designer items, but one of my most worn thrift finds is a fashion nova dress. It has this almost wet latex look to it, and the cut of the garment is really flattering for me. So even though it’s a fast fashion brand that specific dress is as valuable to me as some of the items I’ve thrifted that are worth thousands of dollars because I feel confident in it and wear it at least once a week. Shockingly that dress is also extremely durable.
What is your favorite color to style?
Red! Red clothing, red makeup, red art.
Do you think your personal style has evolved while on social media? If so, how?
I don’t think that posting videos has had a drastic impact on my personal style choices but seeing other creators post their outfits has had a huge impact on me. Seeing their confidence and ability to document their life openly with the world and their personal style had a huge impact on why I decided to try to post on TikTok. I really admired their bravery’s for sharing their life online, and I thought that it was a really beautiful thing that one day they’ll be able to look back and have all of these videos of themselves from this point in their lives.
What are some challenges you have experienced while thrifting?
Thrifting for me is a hobby and when I feel frustrated with it I leave the store. I always try to remember that part of the joy of thrifting is that you never know when you’re gonna find something wonderful and sometimes it can feel like a really long time between good finds. That’s okay because it means that other people are finding great items, which makes me happy.
How can those watch you practice sustainability?
The best thing we can all do while trying to practice sustainability is to make changes in our lives that we can sustain in our daily routines and remember that it’s OK to make these changes slowly. My personal goal Is to develop habits that are sustainable but also doable for me asked someone who regularly works on set for 14+ hour days. Everyone’s lives are so different, but, if your intentions are good and thoughtful, you’re already doing great things.
Other than fashion, do you have any other interests?
My greatest passion in life is filmmaking. I’ve been making short films as long as I can remember, and I’m fortunate to work full-time as a director. I just finished directing my first documentary TV episode, which explores the story of two women who had their intimate photos posted online without their consent. Making films is the greatest joy in my life, and I’m thankful that these women trusted me with their stories.
What do you think is the hardest part of being a digital content creator?
My understanding of the challenges that digital content creators face is quite narrow because I do not generate any income from TikTok. I’m a full-time filmmaker and artist, which comes with its own challenges that I can speak to, but I don’t have any experience with the pressure that many content creators experience, especially if their livelihood depends on content creation.
Social Media.
Instagram: @alex.fbailey
TikTok:@alexfbailey is my TikTok
Interview by Tanweer Sheth, Contributor, PhotoBook Magazine
Tearsheets by Alexa Dyer, Graphic Designer, PhotoBook Magazine
*All photos courtesy of Alex Bailey
RELATED STORIES
