KZN model takes on the world
CREATING a storm on international fashion ramps, Alexandra Binaris was back in Richards Bay this week for some time out
Speaking from her home in the upmarket suburb of Meerensee, Binaris said it was good to be back in Zululand.
“Home is really where the heart is. I am extremely close to my family and being home is the most relaxing, therapeutic time that I needed after a very intense fashion week.”
She has just finished a three-circuit fashion week in New York, Milan and Paris, describing it as “an incredibly exciting and surreal” journey.
“It may have been stressful at times, but every day I was doing what I loved.”
And the 22-year-old’s career in the modelling world has been nothing short of stratospheric.
While many top models enter the industry at 14 or 15 years old, she finished her degree at UCT at the end of 2015, having triple majored in media and writing, film production and dramatic arts, graduating with distinction.
To earn some part-time cash, she literally knocked on the door at Boss Models in Cape Town in March last year. Within a week she had been approached by Elite and other top international agencies.
“Although I was scouted from a young age, I always placed huge importance on my education, so much so that modelling from a young age was never an option.
“Obtaining a degree is an accomplishment that I will never regret. Not only is the degree of importance to me, but the experience and life lessons learnt that would prove to have aided me in any career path I chose, including modelling.
“Studying has made me a more well-rounded person equipped to handle the real world and boy, does modelling get real,” she said.
And she would know, having modelled for big names such as Louis Vuitton, Karl Lagerfield, Jean Paul Gaultier, Carolina Herrera, Oscar de la Renta, Prabal Gurung, Giambattista, among many others last year.
She has also managed to quickly adapt from being a university student to the high world of fashion.
“I believe in events coinciding and synchronicity. Although everything was a big change to anything I’ve experienced, it came in such a natural way. I have always been creative and the people I work with are the type of people I’m drawn to and have studied with in the past.
“They are the sort of people I saw myself working with in my career and for this reason, it made the transition quite easy.
“I also love art and creating and admire the fashion shows, elaborate shoots and designs that are created and feel honoured to be part of them,” she added.
Her favourite European city is Paris: “To put it plainly I have just fallen in love with Paris. Being artistic, I love spending my free time exploring museums and art galleries and Paris just thrives on this.
“Merely strolling down a random street in Paris holds so much beauty, culture, history and art.”
Despite the whirlwind her life has become, Binaris said having grown up in Richards Bay has helped her to stay grounded.
“Growing up slowly and outdoors in a small town has helped me to stay humble and taught me to appreciate the little things in life.”
And, for some winter fashion tips, she said: “Having a coat collar that is bold makes its own statement.”
While at home, she can spend some time on her favourite pastimes such as origami, reading and yoga. And after that? “It’s back to Paris, but from there who knows – the world,” she said.