Fashion Designer Alexandra Henry-Allen ’23 shapes bold, purposeful fashion after Stephens College
For Stephens College Fashion Alum, Alexandra Henry-Allen ’23, clothing is more than fabric; it is a memory, conversation, and often, a standalone work of art.
Blending craftsmanship, performance and purpose, Henry-Allen approaches every commission and collection as a narrative opportunity, designing pieces meant to mark life’s milestones, while also inviting viewers to reconsider what a garment can be.
Her label, Alexandra Marie (Also known as AM Designs), offers both made-to-order pieces and one-of-a-kind collaborations with visual artists, creating a personalized, participatory shopping experience rather than a purely transactional one.
Whether she is drafting a custom bodice or sketching an experimental runway look, the 2023 Alum begins with who will wear the piece and the moment it will inhabit. From fit to finish and fabrication, Henry-Allen uses the skills she acquired at Stephens College to craft unique, eye-catching custom pieces of clothing.
A Foundation Built at Stephens
Henry-Allen received a BFA in Fashion Design and Product Development, and credits Stephens’ small class sizes and attentive faculty for giving her the technical and creative backbone to pursue ambitious work.
“The professors built relationships with each designer, and I really believe that helped us along the way,” she says. Even now, she reaches out to her former mentors when she encounters a new technical challenge. “They are always my first contact. They instilled in us a number of helpful practices when it comes to developing a collection from start to finish.”
Professor Dr. Monica McMurry has watched that growth firsthand. “Alexandra exemplifies the kind of creative curiosity and professional rigor we encourage,” Dr. McMurry says. “She takes classroom techniques and pushes them into performance spaces, representing Stephens with both skill and imagination.”
Dr. McMurry added that Alexandra’s rapid growth since graduation echoes the current success rate for employment and engagement of alumnae in fashion.
“The 2025 graduating fashion design and product development class is 100% employed in a fashion-related job,” said Dr. McMurry.
Dr. McMurry credits the program’s success to looking at the needs of the fashion industry and supporting students.
“Stephens College fashion graduates are making a difference each day at many firms across the country,” said Dr. McMurry.
A Lifelong Dream Realized
Henry-Allen’s professional success is the fulfillment of a dream that began in the first grade. She recalls sketching under her desk during a writing exam at age ten, then taking those same colored pencils outside during recess to draw dress designs.
“When I got home, I told my parents and grandma, ‘When I grow up, I’m going to create my own fashion house,’” she remembers. Her grandmother’s response? “Just like Valentino.”
That moment sparked a lifelong bond. Her grandmother became a primary influence, teaching her about quality textiles and flipping through Vogue together. “All of this is for her now,” Henry-Allen says.
Design with Purpose
Today, that childhood dream has evolved into a career defined by community impact. Henry-Allen is a frequent participant in ALTBall, a benefit show supporting DOORWAYS, an organization providing emergency housing and services to people affected by HIV, illness, and poverty.
For her most recent ALTBall appearance—her third consecutive year—she pushed her technical boundaries to the limit. Inspired by the movie Burlesque, she created a look using no fabric at all, instead utilizing over 5,000 beads and ostrich feathers.
“Fashion designers love a challenge and a problem to solve,” Dr. McMurry notes. “Lexi has found she can express herself with beadwork, creating garments for self-expression and the runway.”
These projects do more than just dazzle; they expand her professional reach. Collaborations with St. Louis artist Brock Seals helped Henry-Allen transition from the bridal focus of her senior thesis into a more colorful, performance-oriented practice.
Sustainability and the Future of Craft
As she looks toward the future, Henry-Allen is bringing that same intentionality to sustainability. While preparing a recent collection for Milan Fashion Week, she prioritized using remaining fabrics before purchasing new yardage—a practice Stephens faculty reinforce in the classroom.
“We challenge students to consider material lifecycle and creative reuse as central design questions,” says Dr. McMurry. For Henry-Allen, sustainable thinking is both an ethical choice and a creative spark.
Advice for the Next Generation
To the students currently in the Stephens studios, Henry-Allen’s advice is simple: say yes, stay open, and build a support system. “You might be meant to design for a completely different space than you imagined for yourself,” she says. She urges emerging designers to stay true to their aesthetic while cultivating mentors who will sustain them through the inevitable “no”s of the industry.
What’s Next
The momentum isn’t slowing down. With a final photoshoot for her recent collection set for July and a five-episode documentary series in production, Henry-Allen is continuing to refine her craft.
Her long-term aim remains the same as the ten-year-old girl sketching under her desk: to create garments that matter. With technical rigor and a community-minded heart, she is doing exactly that—honoring her grandmother’s legacy one bead at a time.
