Born from the free-spirited and very talented Krystel Davis, IXIAH the label is a symbol of creative prowess, strength and freedom.
Worn by the likes of style icons Nicole Richie and Aussie supermodel Jess Hart – Krystel’s unique approach to design, and good eye for nice-to-touch trimmings, fabrics and colour are capturing the attention from women all over the globe.
Currently in Hong Kong, Krystel took ten from her busy schedule to chat with us about life, style and her label.
Tell us a little bit about yourself.. I was born in Auckland, New Zealand where my parents housed a successful fashion business until we packed up and moved to Australia. We bought a caravan and the 6 of us set off around Australia for a year. This experience has cemented who I am today. It allowed me to have a childhood that was carefree yet real. It taught me a lot about life and about enjoying the simple pleasures it has to offer. It also taught me that you can do anything you put your mind to.
When I left school I sought a trade that would allow myself creativity as well as freedom. I set out to gain extensive experience in design, illustration, and creative direction at high-end advertising firms before venturing out with an idea to begin my own distinct fashion label. I wanted to design unique, exquisite garments that would stand out in this competitive world of fashion.
Do you remember a particular moment from your childhood that cemented your love for fashion design? Not a particular moment no. I have always just been a creative soul. My motivation to create is an exertion of my creative energy. I strive on being creative. I have ideas that just flow through me. Being able to exude this creativity through fashion just feels right and seems to come naturally to me. It has guided me to find this love for fashion, and for that I am truly grateful.
Where does IXIAH come from? IXIAH is inspired by a unique floral native to Southern Africa. Some distinctive traits include sword like leaves & star-shaped flowers. This translates to my creative approach as I often engage with a design balance of masculine and feminine shape and form.
Being born and raised between Auckland and Sydney, do you think that your upbringing has had an influence on the unique aesthetic of your brand? Yes it absolutely has. My parents housed one of the largest New Zealand fashion houses in the 80s so I guess you could say it is in my blood. I remember loving being in their boutique and just fooling around with their clothing (some of the pieces I still own and wear today). Since moving to Australia I never really thought about fashion. It wasn’t until I had finished studying and was working in graphics and illustration that I really felt unfulfilled. I always made my own clothes so I started a small clothing line and it got the ball rolling from there. I now look back at my parent’s designs and it is uncanny how similar my aesthetic is to theirs.
Who and where do you take inspiration from? My main source of inspiration is exploring life, diverse cultures & their different ways of living. Overseas travel plays a key part in sourcing inspiration for collections. Colour and fabrications including embellishments are constant inspirations through the design process. I find you can be inspired in all aspects of life, you just need to be constantly looking!
What’s been a highlight moment in the IXIAH journey? The IXIAH Individual runway show at MBFWA this year. It has really catapulted the label onto an international platform and the response to the show and its individual aesthetic really was overwhelming.
How would you describe your own style? For me, style goes way beyond fashion; it is an individually distinctive way of putting yourself together. It’s a unique blend of spirit and substance. It is a way of making a statement about ourselves through the clothing we choose to wear and the way in which we wear it. In saying that, I would say that my style is strong. I tend to wear the tougher pieces from my collections. I’m not generally a ‘dresses’ type of girl. I love to layer pieces and I love to wear the over-pieces that frequently feature through the collections. I would absolutely say my style defines my personality – strong, fun, confident and sometimes a little shy.
What’s your favourite piece from your latest collection? My favourite piece from the Winter Collection is the Opiate Sequin Jacket, it is a dull brass vintage inspired sequin that I had crafted for this collection. It is so easy to wear and can dress up any outfit when you are feeling a little boring and wanting to wear jeans and a basic tee.
And lastly, if you could give a piece of advice to anyone wanting to be a fashion designer, what would it be? In life you need to follow your dreams and aspirations. It is a lot of hard work but isn’t everything? I would say go for it, design freely and stay true to yourself when you do this, it will allow you to have a unique handwriting in this competitive world of fashion.
You can see the latest collection [here].
– Doone
SOURCE: THE ICONIC BLOG – Read entire story here.