A Cool Designer Shares Her Style Rules
Find your three words. My personal style is aligned with how I approach design: understated, timeless and intentional. I’m naturally drawn to clean lines, strong silhouettes and a very refined colour palette – pieces that feel elegant without excess. I’ve always believed true sophistication comes from coherence and restraint.
Don’t feel pressure to separate the personal from business. The way I dress, the spaces design, the references I collect or the way I approach design all come from the same sensibility and visual language. ALEX RIVIÈRE STUDIO was born very naturally from that. I wasn’t trying to create a character or invent an identity for the brand – it was really an extension of how I already lived and understood fashion.
Strike the right balance. For me, that’s usually between masculine tailoring and more fluid, feminine elements. A perfectly cut blazer, structured trousers, an oversized poplin shirt or a long tunic are pieces I return to often because they make me feel most like myself. A huge part of my aesthetic sensitivity comes from my mother. She introduced me very early on to painting, classical music, architecture and the importance of observing details.
Let your style evolve – mine has over the years. It has become more refined, intentional and connected to how I live today. In the past, I experimented more, whereas now I value longevity – investing in pieces that have permanence, versatility and emotional resonance.
Know that true luxury is about intention, quality and permanence. People associate my aesthetic with the idea of ‘quiet luxury’ because I’ve always been drawn to restraint, timelessness and a certain form of understated elegance. But the term ‘quiet luxury’ has become very diluted. It started as a reflection of discretion and craftsmanship, and quickly turned into an aesthetic formula. Neutral tones and minimalism alone are not the definition luxury. What interests me far more is coherence: having a clear visual identity, investing in pieces with longevity and creating a wardrobe that feels personal rather than trend-driven. That said, don’t confuse minimalism with being plain or emotionally flat. A minimalist wardrobe is not just about wearing beige – it still needs personality, proportions and a strong point of view.
Find inspiration all around you. Cinema has always influenced me enormously – not in an obvious way but through atmosphere, visual tension and character. Films like The Thomas Crown Affair or Basic Instinct stay with me because of their precision, elegance and the way identity is constructed visually. I’m also very inspired by art and architecture, particularly minimalism and works where there is purity of form and strength in gesture. Artists like Kazuo Shiraga fascinate me because there is something instinctive yet deeply disciplined in their work.
Keep your eyes open – travelling also influences me a lot. Paris inspires me, while Switzerland gives me space and clarity. Both worlds exist simultaneously in the way I dress and design: one more expressive and cultured, the other more refined and essential. I’m less inspired by trends and much more by coherence – by people, spaces and creative disciplines that have a strong identity and point of view.
Build your wardrobe around the pieces you return to year after year – not because they are basics, but because they form the foundation of how you dress. Tailoring is probably the core of my wardrobe: an oversized tuxedo blazer, perfectly cut wool trousers and long structured coats.
Rely on well-made essentials: a masculine poplin shirt, a white t-shirt, fine cashmere knitwear or a black cashmere roll-neck in winter. They seem simple but the difference is often in the cut, fabric and proportions. There are pieces that have become signatures for me – leopard print, riding boots, sharp sunglasses and my pinky rings. They’re the elements that give my look personality and consistency. I’ve always been interested in creating a personal uniform: pieces that evolve with you and become part of your identity over time.
Build a strong foundation first. Once you have that, keeping it fresh becomes less about buying something new and more about evolving the way you wear things. Of course, I still enjoy introducing new elements – a shoe, a texture or a piece of jewellery can completely shift the mood of a look – but always in a much more intentional way.
Stick with what works for you. I’m very loyal to brands. For denim, I almost always return to AGOLDE and Khaite, and for coats and tailoring, I always return to The Row. I also love men’s jackets from Loro Piana – I admire their restraint, precision and the way both brands approach silhouette and fabric.
Identify the core of your wardrobe. I am very particular about tailoring. I wear my The Row and Saint Laurent tuxedo blazers, some old and some new, time and again. The Dior Bar jacket will always be a wardrobe staple for me. I also think Victoria Beckham does beautiful tailoring, especially the trousers, as do Khaite, TOTEME and Max Mara – all brands that understand modern femininity in a very intelligent way. For more classic menswear-inspired tailoring, I’ve always loved Ralph Lauren Purple Label and Tom Ford. Recently, I’ve also been very drawn to the sharpness and minimalism of the Calvin Klein runway collections.
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Embrace contemporary brands. Names like COS, ALMADA LABEL and Róhe are doing a very good job right now because they understand the shift towards a more refined and intentional way of dressing. There’s a real focus on clean silhouettes, beautiful fabrics and pieces with longevity rather than purely trend-driven fashion, which resonates much more with women today. I also love what Ayllón is doing – the pieces feel so sculptural and artistic.
Pay attention to your shoes – they can define the entire silhouette of a look. Manebí has positioned itself incredibly well. It understands the idea of relaxed luxury very naturally – pieces that feel effortless, travel well and fit seamlessly into a Mediterranean lifestyle, while still remaining polished and elegant. I also wear a lot of Aquazzura. Edgardo has an incredible understanding of how women want to feel in a shoe: elegant, confident and comfortable enough to live in it. Finally, I find Jude very interesting. I’m especially drawn to the sculptural lines and unexpected details – the shoes manage to feel directional and distinctive, while still remaining elegant and wearable.
Prioritise your jewellery. I’ve always liked pieces with character and history, which is why I’m very drawn to Montse Esteve. I love the mix of antique jewellery, precious stones and more contemporary creations. There’s a sense of permanence and individuality to her pieces that feels increasingly rare today.
Understand that accessories play a very important role in any wardrobe – they’re often what give a look its edge. Since I usually gravitate towards very clean silhouettes and a more understated way of dressing, accessories are what introduce contrast or even playfulness. There was a time when bags carried a lot of weight within fashion culture but today, I consume them very differently. I feel I’ve already found the bags I truly love and return to constantly. I’ve always loved The Row and Hermès for that reason, because their approach feels incredibly enduring. And I’ll always have a soft spot for the Gucci Jackie bag – it never loses its relevance.
Start by investing in two pieces that will anchor your wardrobe. The first should be a watch or a signature ring: something gold and timeless that you never take off and that eventually becomes part of your identity. The second would be a structured leather bag in a neutral tone. If you choose a classic silhouette with minimal hardware, it will remain relevant for decades.
Be selective with trends. I’m not interested in following something simply because it’s everywhere – I only respond to trends when they feel genuinely aligned with my aesthetic. What interests me more is style evolution rather than the trends themselves. I pay attention to shifts in proportion, fabrics or silhouettes but always through the filter of my own personal style. One thing I’m loving right now? Shorter trench jackets: slightly oversized, with a masculine structure and clean proportions, but still incredibly versatile. I’m also loving long linen tunics, which have become almost a signature for my own brand.
Recognise that fashion is an extension of your personality. It should enhance who you are, not disguise it. Build your style by drawing inspiration from different references but always through the lens of your own identity rather than trying to imitate someone else. It comes from understanding yourself more than understanding trends. Great style is ultimately about coherence – when the way someone dresses feels completely aligned with who they are. It’s not about perfection, trends or having the most expensive wardrobe; it’s about presence, confidence and authenticity.
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