Yahoo Lifestyle He Went Viral for His Amazing Dressmaking Skills. Now Max Alexander, 8, Is a Guinness World Record Holder (Exclusive)
With more than 100 custom, handmade garments in his portfolio, Max Alexander holds the Guinness World Record for youngest runway fashion designer
Jeanie Stehr
Max Alexander with models wearing dresses from his latest collection debuted at NYFWAt just 8 years old, Max Alexander has already proved himself to be the future of fashion. But the young designer is already making an impact on the industry in the present, too.
Max has been creating clothes since he asked his mom, Sherri Madison, for a mannequin at age 4. He's since sewn more than 100 custom couture gowns, hosted runway shows and dressed celebrities like Sharon Stone and Debra Messing, and his collective accomplishments have nabbed him a Guinness World Record for youngest runway fashion designer.
About an hour after his New York Fashion Week showcase on Sept. 10, Max told PEOPLE the world record is his proudest accomplishment.
"I thought I would be like 10 by the time that would happen, or maybe more," he shared, looking chic beyond his years in a gray blazer, cuffed shorts, a pearlescent necklace and Gucci sandals. The gladiator-style flats seemed a natural choice for footwear, considering how Max previously told PEOPLE he believes he was the eponymous fashion house's founder in a past life.
Jeanie Stehr
Max Alexander with a model wearing a dress from his latest collection debuted at NYFWRelated: Boy, 7, Who Says He Was Gucci in a Past Life, Goes Viral for His Impressive Work as a Dressmaker
Still, the young dressmaker is making his own name and establishing his own style with every new creation. During his recent NYFW event at the Conrad New York Downtown hotel, Max hosted a meet-and-greet and unveiled his latest collection, comprised of six never-before-seen gowns. Between a dress woven with neck ties to those made with recycled coffee bean bags, each new garment was as whimsical as its designer.
Max's favorite piece shown during the hautest event of the autumn? "The flower gown," he shared, referring to the vintage wedding dress he repurposed by covering it in colorful mesh and organza. He embellished the number with a rainbow assortment of fabric flowers, which cover the high-neck bodice and dot down the draping skirt.
The young artist — who has more than 3 million followers on Instagram — complements his design talent with a hearty, sustainable spirit. He's against fast-fashion production that wastes material, and as seen in some of his newest pieces, Max has a knack for transforming old textiles.
Jeanie Stehr
Max Alexander with a model wearing a dress from his latest collection debuted at NYFWHowever that doesn't mean he avoids shopping for new fabrics altogether. In fact, Max's mother told PEOPLE that renowned sewing specialty store Mood Fabrics is his version of the happiest place on Earth.
"I asked him before, 'Do you want to go Disneyland? We should go,' " Madison recalled. "He was like, 'Can't we just go to Mood instead?' "
Whether he's feeling the magic at Mood or shopping for basics at Joann Fabric and Craft, Max lets his instincts guide him when he enters the store. He said he sometimes goes in with a vision, but he's happy to let the fabric stir up some creativity, too.
Beyond the retail space, Max told PEOPLE his environment compels him to create. He takes inspiration from nature, but he shapes his ideas with every collection in mind, and every collection follows a common concept.
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Jeanie Stehr
Max Alexander with a model wearing a dress from his latest collection debuted at NYFW"[I start by] just thinking about the theme of the collection, what I want the theme to be. And then I'll start making whatever dresses that I think go with it. Let's say it's fall, I would make a coat," Max explained of his process. He added, "Let's say you have a bathing suit and a puffy jacket. That doesn't go together. You want a bathing suit and maybe another bathing suit that's different."
According to the style savant, each item should add a key element to his bigger picture. When he dreams up a new dress, he said he's thinking, "I need to add this to my collection for it to be complete."
With New York Fashion Week behind him, Max isn't sure what he'll work on next. Though when his mother reminded him a family member gave them more coffee bean bags, Max's mind immediately went to work.
Jeanie Stehr
A model wearing one of Max Alexander's dresses from his latest collection debuted at NYFW"Oh yeah, we might be making the coffee dress the third," he said, looking up at Madison, who plays both roles of supportive parent and assisting seamstress. If Max pins something in the morning before he leaves for school, he often asks his mom to help him finish it with stitches.
Madison reminded Max that another family member happened to request a jacket made out of coffee bean bags.
"Remember I had blue ones? I should make a blue jacket for her," he responded. The wheels seemed to be spinning in his mind. Maybe a full collection is in the works up there in his head, but the 8-year-old addressed it casually and confidently, like inspiration sparks all the time.
"Yeah," he confirmed. "I just randomly think of stuff."
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