THE INTRICATE WORK OF DESIGNER ALEX ULICHNY BY KELLYN LAPPINGA Wisconsin. Chicago. Antwerp. Amsterdam. Paris. Brooklyn. After graduating from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Alex Ulichny found himself in a whirlwind of sorts. He received the Eunice W. Johnson Fellowship right along with his Bachelors degree and found himself with Iris van Herpen and Viktor & Rolf studios preparing Haute Couture and Ready to Wear lines for 2013 seasons. Spending most of his fellowship working in Amsterdam, it’s a bit fitting that his first independent steps into the world of fashion landed in New York, originally called New Amsterdam (before the British seized it). Now, Alex is seizing up New York with his designs. He has won numerous awards and has shown globally. He has worked in the wardrobe departments of Luna Negra Dance Theater, Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company of Chicago, and has participated as a guest artist on the BBC program SmArt. He has collaborated with various photographers, textile designers, and studio artists. If he sounds like a powerhouse, that’s because he is one. Alex exerts energy and determination with grace. His prolific and meticulous ambition shows on set. He pours himself into his creations, supports and coddles them like each one is his little child. He tells a story with each piece he creates.
“The collection is inspired by the work of Bill Viola and explores the concept of white noise.”
“The collection is inspired by the work of Bill Viola and explores the concept of white noise. The garments are made using time consuming, handexecuted sewing technique paired with innovative materials—many taking months to create,” he says. Alex sees beauty in imperfection, and his work is often rooted in his love of romanticism. It’s hard to believe he created his Spring/Summer 2014 line within a matter of months, or that there are single pieces in the collections that actually took months
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Winter 2013 CREATIVE SUGAR
ALL PHOTOS BY SAM BYNENS