On Instagram, a platform he likens to a “digital exhibition,” Albie Alexander says he sees himself “as a bit of a cultural forager. I find inspiration in unlikely places.” For the London-reared, Los-Angeles-based creative director that might translate to Diana Ross’ performance at this year’s opening of the Times Square EDITION, Japanese ryokans where “the service and simplicity feel so effortless and beautiful,” or his favorite book as a child, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. “Her courage to follow that white rabbit is how we should all approach our lives,” he says.
His insatiable curiosity and daring nature were cultivated by the stage, particularly the transporting sets and sensory storytelling style of London’s Punchdrunk Theatre Company, which “cracked open my imagination,” he says. It also propelled a career that is built on bringing people together. After jobs in film production and nightlife, he moved to New York and worked for Paper magazine, where he began to consider orchestrating events on a viral level.
When he joined Refinery29 in 2014, he did exactly that, crafting the immersive 29Rooms experience from scratch. With live performances and interactive installations intended to provoke thought, ignite creativity, and champion positive change—buoyed by partnerships with visionaries like Solange and Petra Collins—29Rooms was designed to disrupt the exclusivity of New York Fashion Week. Now, the annual pop-up event tours cities throughout North America.
Alexander has since left Refinery29 and is pursuing projects that continue to push boundaries, spark meaningful conversations, and establish a safe place for people to celebrate their vulnerabilities. “That’s the key to a shared humanity,” he says.
