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  1. Photograph: Bon Duke; Stylist: Rachel LeWinter; Hair stylist: Andrew Fitzsimons using Oribe; Makeup stylist: Kristin Gallegos using Chanel
    Photograph: Bon Duke; Stylist: Rachel LeWinter; Hair stylist: Andrew Fitzsimons using Oribe; Makeup stylist: Kristin Gallegos using Chanel

    Christian Siriano mint brocade sleeveless oxford blouse, $498; pants, $695; and metallic belt, $100; all at Christian Siriano, 252 Elizabeth St between E Houston and Prince Sts (212-775-8494).

  2. Photograph: Bon Duke
    Photograph: Bon Duke

    Stone Fox Bride custom fresh flower crown, $150, at Stone Fox Bride, 611 Broadway at Houston St, suite 613b (212-260-8600)

  3. Photograph: Bon Duke
    Photograph: Bon Duke

    Alexa Chung wears her own Jimmy Choo suede pumps ($525 at jimmychoo.com).

  4. Photograph: Bon Duke
    Photograph: Bon Duke

    Stone Fox Bride custom fresh flower rings, $40 each, at Stone Fox Bride, 611 Broadway at Houston St, suite 613b (212-260-8600)

  5. Photograph: Bon Duke
    Photograph: Bon Duke

    Alexa Chung

  6. Photograph: Bon Duke
    Photograph: Bon Duke

    Comme des Garçons shirt, $304, similar styles at lagarconne.com. Mulberry leather skirt, model’s own.

  7. Photograph: Bon Duke
    Photograph: Bon Duke

    “I don’t follow trends per se; sometimes I might inadvertently manage to be doing something right at the right time, but generally speaking, I dress for what suits me,” says Chung.

  8. Photograph: Bon Duke
    Photograph: Bon Duke

    Alexa Chung

  9. Photograph: Bon Duke
    Photograph: Bon Duke

    Alexa Chung perfects the indie look.

  10. Photograph: Bon Duke
    Photograph: Bon Duke

    T by Alexander Wang striped long-sleeved linen T-shirt, $110, at Alexander Wang, 103 Grand St at Mercer St (212-977-9683). Anna Sui studded leather motorcycle jacket, $1,575, available at the end of March at Anna Sui, 113 Green St at Prince St (212-941-8406).

  11. Photograph: Bon Duke
    Photograph: Bon Duke

    Paige Denim Indio Zip jeans, $199, at Paige Denim, 71 Mercer St between Broome and Spring Sts (212-625-0800)

  12. Photograph: Bon Duke
    Photograph: Bon Duke

    Chung says her favorite items in her closet right now are these sequined kicks (Carven Paillette ankle boots, $489, at barneyswarehouse.com). “My magic boots,” she says.

  13. Photograph: Bon Duke
    Photograph: Bon Duke

    Ted Baker London Jayne tuxedo suit jacket, $398; and trousers, $225; both at Ted Baker London, 595 Fifth Ave at 48th St (212-317-1514, tedbaker-london.com). Armani Exchange button-up blouse, $78, at Armani Exchange, 568 Broadway at Prince St (212-431-6000, armaniexchange.com).

  14. Photograph: Bon Duke
    Photograph: Bon Duke

    Monika Chiang Zimba D’Orsay pumps, $395, at Monika Chiang, 125 Wooster St between Prince and Spring Sts (212-625-3300)

  15. Photograph: Bon Duke
    Photograph: Bon Duke

    Betsey Johnson Piano wristlet, $88, at betseyjohnson.com

Interview: Alexa Chung covers our spring fashion issue

We talked to Alexa Chung about spring fashion trends and what she plans to wear this season, her new gig hosting Fuse News and her affinity for boys in bands.

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“I’m scared of bright colors,” admits Alexa Chung, the coanchor of the nightly music-news show Fuse News (fuse.tv). Yet despite the model and DJ’s aversion to typical spring shades, she looks forward to the warmer season: “I like seeing trees that don’t look like they’re from a witchy nightmare.” The British style star has been feted by the fashion industry for her effortlessly cool aesthetic, receiving praise from Anna Wintour and Karl Lagerfeld, designing two sold-out collections for Madewell, and collaborating on campaigns for Maje and Stella McCartney. Her style evolution hasn’t always been a smooth one. “I got punk a bit wrong when I was 17,” she admits. “I misinterpreted it and crossed it with some weird Pokémon-Tamagotchi hybrid, so I had this weird cyberdog look, which was really unfortunate for a lot of years.” Today she cares less about emulating others and dresses for herself. “I like to wear dungarees, and at the moment I’m into things that are comfortable,” she says. “People don’t take risks, because they’re afraid something isn’t in season, but you should have fun with fashion and wear what you want.”

RECOMMENDED: Spring fashion trends 2013

Time Out New York: Who is your dream interview?
Alexa Chung: I’d love to interview Mick Jagger, but that might be scary.

Time Out New York: What song do you currently have on repeat?
Alexa Chung: “Everything Is Embarrassing” by my friend Sky Ferreira. [Watch the music video]

Time Out New York: What music genre’s style do you relate to the most?
Alexa Chung: I’m indie through and through. I’ve always gone out with boys in bands. I designed a collection for Madewell two years ago, and the whole inspiration for that was girls backstage. Maybe I’m pop sometimes. I think now there’s really no distinction throughout the categories. Back in the day it was more clear, but now everything is a bit wishy-washy because indie isn’t indie anymore, because it became popular. Like [now] everyone just dresses like a hipster.

Time Out New York: Who are some of your style icons in music?
Alexa Chung: There are so many. Iggy Pop, George Harrison, Jane Birkin, Patti Smith, Courtney Love…in the ’90s.

Time Out New York: What is your favorite thing to wear right now?
Alexa Chung: Well, today I turned up in my pajamas, so that is sort of an indication of where I’m at, clothes-wise. At the moment I’m into things that are comfortable. I’m on TV every day so I have to wear a full [done-up] outfit, so when I get home I’m really focused on jeans, sweatshirts and comfort.

Time Out New York: What is your style philosophy?
Alexa Chung: Stick to the classics, and you can’t ever go wrong. I see old ladies on the street who have fabulous style and realize it’s because they are probably wearing really classic items that they’ve had for years and years. I think if you find something that suits you, you should just stick to it.

Time Out New York: What’s your favorite era for style?
Alexa Chung: I love the ’60s and sort of wish all design stopped in 1967. That would be my dream. They were really just nailing it, everyone looked great, but then it started getting a bit slippery after that.

Time Out New York: Do you have a typical tiny New York City closet?
Alexa Chung: I have a really small apartment [in the East Village] and small and messy closet. I like how disordered it is, though. I’m never going to be one of those people who is good at organization. But I’m very visual. I have a catalog in my head of things I already own, so it’s easy to shop and I always know exactly what I’m looking for. I collect everything in multiples. You should see how many white shirts I’ve got.

Time Out New York: Where do you like to shop in NYC?
Alexa Chung: I love the Reformation (156 Ludlow St between Rivington and Stanton Sts, 646-448-4925 • 23 Howard St between Crosby and Lafayette Sts, 212-510-8455 • thereformation.com). I think they are really clever, and I like that they use recycled fabrics. It’s often smaller shops like them that can mimic street style quicker and in a more authentic fashion. By the time it gets regurgitated [to larger stores], it’s sort of a watered-down version, but because [the Reformation owners] are friends with the people that are wearing the cool shit, they can just design for their friends.

Time Out New York: What items do you save on? What do you splurge on?
Alexa Chung: I love Gap for affordable men’s sweaters. I tend to splurge on fancy dresses because I always think I’ll get a lot of wear out of them, but it’s false logic. You should really spend more money on the things you wear every day, like jeans. But I only own two pairs of jeans. One I designed for Madewell, so they are literally made to fit me. Another is a cheap pair from Danish brand Vero Moda that I got from a photo shoot.

Time Out New York: What do you look forward to in spring?
Alexa Chung: I like being able to walk outside without wincing at the cold, and I like when my eyeballs don’t freeze over. But I find spring and summer in NYC particularly difficult to dress for because my style is absolutely based on layering. When I can’t do that, I don’t understand what I’m going to do. I hate anything sexy, and I hate a lot of flesh showing, but there’s no other option. If I could walk around in a bikini I’d be okay, because it’s that hot.

Time Out New York: So what’s your go-to spring outfit?
Alexa Chung: Jean shorts always.

Time Out New York: What’s next? Do you plan to design more?
Alexa Chung: I’d love to design more, but I’m just too busy right now. I’m [also] always conscious that I need to do other things like writing, deejaying and TV presenting. I still keep up those pursuits because I don’t think you can rely on an ever-changing industry like fashion to constantly support you. I’m also writing a book right now.

Time Out New York: How is New York style different from British style?
Alexa Chung: New York style is really good because it’s so well put-together. I admire American women because they are really good at putting a look together that is sophisticated. As British girls, we lean toward being a bit more messy, a bit more undone and maybe a little more eccentric. I’m always amazed by how thick and shiny everyone’s hair is and how white everyone’s teeth are.

Follow Rachel LeWinter on Twitter: @Rachel_LeWinter

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