Bal Harbour

A true collection is a tangible expression of the self: a way to give the ephemerality of life greater permanence. Small children will frequently pocket pinecones or pebbles to mar vel at later, amassing an array of pedestrian objects that seemingly lack value as individual items. But adults who possess the same single-minded drive to create meaning from a consolidation of objects are a much rarer phenomenon, often letting the force of their passion shape their lives. In "Collecting Fashion," a new book from Rizzoli, acclaimed fashion stylist—and style icon—Alexandra Carl has sought out 20 of these individuals and captured their collections with photographers, creating a series of intimate portraits that capture the spirit of each one by way of the objects of their a…ections. There's The World of Interiors Editor and Vogue Editor at Large Hamish Bowles, whose collection of antique couture could populate a museum; Zohra Alami, whose archive of contemporary fashion in Paris, Passage, was founded in response to the "instant obsolescence advocated by a speed-crazed industry"; sound designer Michel Gaubert, who hoards his collection of designer clothes in a basement archive he calls the "Bat Cave"; and Je…erson Ihenacho, whose One of a Kind Archive in London has been a go-to for stylists since the late 90s. We spoke with Carl to learn more about what it was like to meet people who live a real-life fashion fantasy. OPPOSITE PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT Alexandra Carl; Jefferson Ihenacho with an Issey Miyake dress, S/S 1993; Michel Gaubert in his favorite sheepskin coat, made for the Mongolian army, Moschino chain, sweater and pants by Willy Chavarria; Hamish Bowles in his archive Collecting is a deeply emotional endeavor. 188 BAL HARBOUR

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