DESIGNER'S DOORWAY

Alvin Valley

IN THIS FEATURE: Meet Alvin Fashion Focus Details

Favorite New York Neighborhood

DOWNTOWN, IT’S SO DIRTY. I WANT TO BE A GRAMERCY BOY. I’VE BEEN PUB HOPPING. I HAD CHICKEN WINGS AT PETE’S PUB. I AM SO INSPIRED. THE NEIGHBORHOOD IS CIVILIZED. WHAT DOES A GIRL IN GRAMERCY WEAR? SHE’S A PROPER WOMAN MESHING WITH A YOUNG GIRL.

New Orleans

I’M POSSESSED WITH NEW ORLEANS. I LOVE IT! I WAS THERE FOR FIVE DAYS, A FEW WEEKS AGO. THE PEOPLE ARE SO WARM, SO KIND. IT’S SUCH A BEAUTIFUL PLACE, HOT AND BALMY. THE FRENCH QUARTER IS AMAZING. IT IS THE MOST UN GENERIC CITY IN THE US.IT’S LIKE SOUTH BEACH IN THE EARLY NINETIES. VERY BOHEMIAN, A LOT OF ARTISTS, FREE THINKERS. PEOPLE GET DRESSED UP.

High Waisted Vs. Low Waisted

LOW WAIST IS SO DéMODé. YOU HAVE TO BE RETARDED TO WEAR ANYTHING LOW WAISTED NOW. IT’S A PERCEPTION OF WOMEN’S BODIES. IT TAKES TIME TO ADOPT TO A NEW FORM. IF WOMEN CAME OF AGE WHEN THE WAIST WAS LOW, IT’S HARDER TO ADJUST. BUT MOST OF MY CLIENTS PUT FASHION FIRST.

Sexiest Body Part

I THINK THE BACK IS THE SEXIEST PART OF A WOMAN’S BODY. DONNA HAS HER SHOULDERS. OTHER DESIGNERS HAVE THE BREASTS. A GREAT BACK CAN DEFINE A GREAT BUTT. IT’S THE SPINE CONNECTING THE WHOLE BODY.

Big Hair

I LOVE BARBRA STREISAND IN THE “WAY WE WERE.” THE BIG JEWFRO. I SAY BRING IT BACK. WHY NOT? IT’S FREEDOM. IN THE EIGHTIES, EVERYTHING WAS PULLED BACK. THE NINETIES WAS CONTROLLING, IRONED HAIR.

Seasonal Fashion, True Love

ONE OF MY FAVORITE MOVIES OF ALL TIME IS “LOVE STORY.” I THINK THE EMOTIONAL PART IS COUPLED TO SO MUCH FASHION IN THAT MOVIE. THE SCARF ON THE HEAD, THE KNITS, SWEATERS. IT’S A NORTHEASTERN GIRL IN NEW ENGLAND. YOU GET TO SEE HER IN THE CHANGE OF WEATHER.