That’s hot: Canberra-raised dancer designs Paris Hilton’s Coachella look
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When we last spoke to Alex Carson in 2018, she was touring the world as a professional dancer with the likes of Janet Jackson and Gwen Stefani.
Eight years later, her life has changed tremendously.
Still touring, dancing and performing on major stages from her base in Los Angeles, the ex-Canberra local has added Pharrell Williams, B2K and Lisa to her extensive list of celebrity connections.
But it’s her most recent collaboration with Paris Hilton that is Alex’s biggest pinch-me moment.
After all, not many people can say that they’ve designed a Coachella outfit for the woman who defined pop culture in the 2000s and brought ‘sliving’ into our lexicon.
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Starting @sew.bardi to relax her mind between dance jobs, Alex never imagined that her hobby would one day see her contacted by wardrobe stylist, creative director, and image consultant Joey Thao on behalf of Paris Hilton.
As she lived out the dance fantasy she always dreamed of – including travelling the world – in between jobs, Alex realised she needed another creative outlet to channel her energy.
“Dance can be very unpredictable and sometimes it makes it hard to commit to other things in life, whether it’s holidays, family time, or new hobbies,” she explains.
“I just got to a point where I was sick of waiting around for the next job. So, I decided I was going to fill my time doing something creative – something that didn’t have any pressure behind it, but something I enjoyed.”
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Alex began by upcycling old clothing to create new pieces to wear on and off the stage, launching @sew.bardi on Instagram in December 2024. Using an old sewing machine gifted to her by a close friend, she says that her designs pay tribute to the nostalgic Y2K style that she has always been drawn to.
“It’s definitely an ode to my favourite era of fashion and music – the ‘90s and 2000s. This was the era that inspired me to dance, and it has inspired my fashion sense too.”
“I use thrifted materials, and I’m always conscious of how the pieces move. My favourite part of seeing my pieces on other people is how they instantly dance when they try them on. It’s pretty funny how it always happens.”
From mini-skirts and corsets made from sports jerseys to denim sets that look like they belong on the set of Step Up, the designs are skin-baring, curve-hugging, and cropped – a remix of the trends that defined the millennium.
And as the queen of the 2000s, Alex says that when Paris Hilton’s styling team reached out for a custom-made outfit, the inspiration was simple: a love letter to her Von Dutch era, reimagined.
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“Initially, I was given a reference from a skirt I had already created and quite transparently hated the way it came out. So, in a last-minute dash, I pulled the final look out of thin air,” she explains.
“By that point of the process, all plans were out the window, and I was completely freestyling. Was quite the rush! We ended up with two main pieces: a patchwork corset and skirt, both created by reimagining classic styles from the iconic Von Dutch.”
Worn with Hadia Ghaleb sunglasses, W!LDCH!LD fingerless gloves, Demonia Shoes knee-high boots and jewellery from En Route Jewelry and Laser Kitten, the final look was Y2K fashion at its best.
And to quote Paris herself, “That’s hot.”
“I had never commissioned for such a big name, nor for such a big event, so I’m not sure what came over me when I agreed to create this outfit,” says Alex.
“It was a very quick turnaround for the initial look. Pretty much a 24-hour turnaround from top to bottom…24 hours I did not blink an eyelid.”
Letting @sew.bardi naturally unfold, the next step for Alex is to get her designs online so she can reach more people.
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Alex admits she’s still trying to figure out the balance between designing and touring, and says the collaboration with Paris and her styling team was the first big test to see how her two worlds would work together.
But when the queen of Coachella dons one of your designs, it can be considered a sign that you’re on the right path.
“I think there was always a part of me that knew I was meant to live this life in entertainment, but growing up in Canberra, the question was always how it was going to happen,” says Alex.
“Now this second element of fashion has been a surprising addition to life, but one that makes sense when I think about it.”
“I hope my brand can just inspire people. Even to just take a small step toward what they’re passionate about. It can be super scary to pursue the things that are important to us. But you never know who is watching and who will love your creations as much as you! The most important step is the first.”
Feature image: @sew.bardi
