Meet Alexandra Corbin of Xan C in Marietta

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexandra Corbin.

Alexandra, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
My interest in fashion design began around the age of 12. A childhood friend and I would sketch ideas (I was horrible at sketching back then lol), plan out fashion shows, and even came up with a clothing line name that we hoped to use once we grew up. Nearly ten years later, I decided to take design more seriously and went to school for Fashion Design and Merchandising.

I graduated from the International Academy of Design & Technology in Orlando, FL. in 2013. Since then, I’ve been creating dope things for dope beings and absolutely loving it! I’ve taken time to collaborate with some of my favorite make-up artists, models, and my favorite photographer to capture some of the looks I’ve created over the years. Designing has pretty much taken over my life. In a good way, of course.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Smooth road? Lol, What’s that?! Entrepreneurship is amazing, but it is not easy. I’ve made some mistakes, temporarily given up on my dreams, and talked myself out of so many great opportunities out of fear of rejection, and more. This question makes me think of so many hiccups that I experienced over the last 4 years: bad business contracts, sleepless nights, forgetting to stop working long enough to eat lunch or dinner, using my very last to get supplies to create, quitting jobs to work on my dream, and then going back to work full time to make sure I could continue to fund it. There were times I worked 60 hours each week, stayed up and sewed all night, participated in fashion shows on the weekends, month after month. But “sweet dreams are made of these”… If not for the many struggles along the way, I wouldn’t know how strong I was as a businesswoman, creative, or as an individual. This less than smooth road has made me Incredible Hulk strong, and I have nothing but gratitude for that.

We’d love to hear more about your business.
I specialize in clothing, accessories, and jewelry for women. (Soon adding some new goodies for the Kings and youngin’s!) Though I make a variety of things, I am most known for creating dope pieces using vibrant African prints. I am most proud of creating a brand that is not discriminatory of the curves many woman in the real world have. I am aware of the fact that all women are not a size 2 (and while nothing is wrong with being a size 2) that is not the standard of beauty at Xan C. I believe that the woman makes the clothing, not the other way around. With this in mind, I create pieces for women of all shapes and sizes and am beyond proud to feature some of Atlanta’s most beautiful Queens from 2 to 22. I’m intentional about what I create and who I create it for. I believe it is the very thing that sets my brand apart from others.

What were you like growing up?
A wild child. Thank goodness for growth. Lol! I was always interested in fashion, music, and creating on so many levels (from painting to making jewelry, dancing, and pretty much anything that made my soul feel most free.) I was always kind of eclectic: I loved bright colors and “weird” prints. Not much has changed there. I still enjoy taking a fabric that most would overlook and making into something everyone would want to wear.

Pricing:

• Prices range from $15-$55 for jewlery/accessories.
• Prices range from $40-$185 for Ready-to-Wear.
• Custom prices start at $150 and vary by design. Please feel free to email regarding custom pricing.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.shopxanc.com
• Email: www.shopxanc@gmail.com
• Instagram: @shopxanc

Image Credit:
Photographer for all images: Arahman Jones (@arahmanjones); Models: Frankie Ell (@ifrankie_ell), Lauren Johnson (@thelalalauren), Alexandra Corbin (@xansozen), Soni Dorcena (@sonimulqueen), Cheranna Dottin (@che_ranna); Creative Director: Arahman Jones (@arahmanjones); Personal Image: Sweatshirt by C. Mars @sartorial_splendor

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