Alexis Colby Is Putting Her Own Spin on Denim - TeenVogue.com

Shoppers who walked into H&M on Fifth Avenue in New York City last week were in for a surprise: They encountered a denim lounge filled with patchwork benches, pillows, chairs, and a rug that could be a conversation piece in anyone's living room. It's the work of Alexis Colby, the self-taught designer and brainchild behind Bit of Denim, a line of reconstructed vintage denim pieces that's been dominating our Instagram feed since it launched, in 2015.

Colby’s denim feels fresh. She'll turn a denim jacket cuff into a choker, design three-tone jeans with fringe detail at each seam, or piece together denim scraps on a bustier to look like stripes. Her work is already a favorite of the fashion crowd, spotted everywhere from Afropunk (on celebrated stylist Amanda Murray) to BET's How to Rock: Denim runway.

So it’s no surprise that H&M got wind of Colby's innovative pieces and tapped the designer to create an in-store installation using denim from the brand.

Her designs, available through custom order, retail from around $50 to $200+, and she's recently expanded to include homewares as well. We talked with Colby about her design inspiration, her ultimate career goals, and the story behind the denim lounge.

Teen Vogue: How long have you been designing?

Alexis Colby: I have been designing for four years. I’m a self-taught designer. YouTube taught me everything I know about sewing.

TV: What inspired you to work solely with denim?

AC: It’s timeless. Denim is something that has stayed relevant for many years and will always be a staple and necessity in a person's wardrobe.

TV: Tell us the story behind the brand name.

AC: Bit of Denim came from my nana. When I launched the brand, back in 2015, I asked her to help me come up with the name. All my ideas were so bad. Bit of Denim just clicked. It’s also on the contrary, because I actually use a ton of denim, not a bit.

TV: What has it been like working with H&M?

AC: Working with H&M has been a blast. They really gave me creative freedom. The denim lounge has been something I wanted to execute for a while, and I’m happy I was able to bring it to life.

TV: What is it like designing denim clothing versus lifestyle items like rugs, pillow coverings, and wall covers?

AC: With clothing, I have to consider so many factors like trends, seasons, and sizing. With furniture, it’s thrilling and a new challenge. To see my method of reconstructing executed with home decor is so exciting.

TV: Where did you draw inspiration from for the pieces you created?

AC: I have folders on my phone that contain a wide range denim inspiration. Quilting methods, designers, street-style photos, all things denim. I incorporate all of that within my designs.

TV: What are some of your future goals as a designer?

AC: I really want to break into the home decor field. Reupholstering and designing the lifestyle items was so much fun. I look forward to experimenting with more furniture.

TV: What is the denim market missing? How should it evolve?

AC: I think the denim market is evolving and changing. There are so many denim designers that are not limiting themselves to the basic denim pieces. I’ve seen denim puffer coats. In regard to what the denim market is missing? Me. A denim designer who does clothing, lifestyle items, and furniture. A denim triple threat!

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