ALEX in the Press

Fankfurter Rundschau, Tuesday 3rd of June, 2008

Translation below.

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Radiating colour: Alexandra Dinan-Mitchell with her colourful accessories

Super Bags

the designer Alexandra Dinan-Mitchell sews unique and stylish carriers;
by Kristiane Schengbier

At the Stilblüten Fashion Fair last weekend, welcomed the dainty young woman everyone to her stand with a smile and a ‘hello’.  Many Frankfurter Designers who aim to steer us away from the typical shopping mall styles got together last weekend to present their original clothes, jewelry and accessories in the small exhibition hall in Brücken Street.   

Alexandra Dinan-Mitchell is a little different from all the others.  She isn’t ‘cool’, she isn’t loud and doesn’t attract much attention.  She is simply nice and easy going, she even  watches ‘Germany’s next top model’, after only a few minutes it feels like we’ve been friends for years. ‘Why not come by with a few girl friends to my workshop and browse through all the bags, I’ll even get us a bottle of bubbly wine’ says the designer.  Always beaming, she produces and sells under the simple yet very personal name ALEX.

Every bag a one-of-a-kind 

Bags are her thing, she produces these all on her own.  Every single one is different. ‘I find the details very important and everything is made with love’ she says.  She only buys small amounts of each material, and only sews what she likes.  Her favourite is denim, but in all sorts of bright colours as well as cottons of all sorts. For variety and contrast she will also use cord, velvet and loads of other materials. She insists though that everything has to be practical. There are pockets either inside, on the back, under the flap or both, so that you don’t have to search for your wallet or keys.  ‘I always think about what I would like, what I want out of a bag’ her strategy is so simple it’s clever. ‘Today I’ve sold loads – one bag could have gone three time, which is funny as I’ve had it for ages.’

Naturally flexible

She even runs her internet site shop (alex-original-handbags.com) and blog all on her own. She is honest though and admits that it’s not all that easy doing it all on your own.  ‘Last year at Museumsuferfest I stood on my own at my stand from early in the morning til late at night.  Luckily friends came around a few times so I could go to the toilet!’ She’s not sure how this year will be yet.

Alex is natually flexible.  The 34 year old is originally from Quebec, Canada but within Germany she has also lived in Bremen, Mainz and Erlangen.  All before living with her husband for a short while in his homeland.

About a year ago they settled here in Frankfurt; ‘Frankfurt is great’ she says. Slowly but surely she is createing herself a regular clientele, she also organises fairs with other designers and maybe even one day there will be children.