Christine Alcalay of Christine Alcalay
In each of her designs, Christine Alcalay weaves in threads of the personal history and determination that led to her namesake line. Her pieces tell the stories of childhood lessons and how she became the person she is today, and will be tomorrow.
Christine has been sewing since she emigrated to the U.S. from Vietnam as a toddler. Working in garment factories, Christine’s mother taught her both how to create clothing and, more importantly, how to work hard. Taking both of these lessons to heart, Christine started down the path to becoming a designer - she attended Parsons and, while a student, studied in Paris under Christian Lacroix. After finishing school, Christine went the unexpected route of working in retail. Learning the retail side of the business was a practical decision to gain skills that would be useful in the long run, and the daily interactions with customers fit with Christine’s outgoing personality. From there, she opened her own boutique and began her eponymous line, which has grown and become a force in the fashion world. She draws inspiration from her Vietnamese heritage and designs with feminine comfort and sensibility in mind.
NEXT CHAPTER: Turn the page for what’s next with Christine Alcalay.
NAME: Christine Alcalay
CITY: Brooklyn, NY
WHAT VALUES DRIVE YOUR BUSINESS DECISIONS: I grew up in the Fashion Industry and have seen all of the different sides of it. What drives me the most is my own personal journey as first and foremost a woman with so much beauty to make and share. For a long time, I worked in a way that was my own path with the restraints of what the fashion calendar and cycle demanded. Working for many years that way has helped me build the grit to still be around in a grueling industry but what drives me is finding ways to reach my people with clothing and design as a catalyst. I love telling stories and clothing allows for that transformative quality. What continues to motivate me is beyond clothing but what it can inspire- a way of living, a way of doing, a way of being. I appreciate the ever changing qualities of Fashion and can relate to it because, I myself am always changing.
BIGGEST PET PEEVE: Oooh. Biggest PET PEEVE- There are so many little things but I think my biggest is the word “HEY”. It doesn’t really mean anything and is usually followed by a question/favor that is meant to feel casual and easy but always ends up being irritating. EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. It’s a word meant not to bother but it irritates me more than it should. Please don’t “HEY” me.
FAVORITE COLOR TO WEAR: Lately, I’ve been really vibing pink in all of its shades.
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