In the closet with Alexandra The singer still has the X Factor – whether Burke she’s on or off stage Words and styling by Tricia Welch Alexandra, 27, shot to fame after Who’s your favourite designer? winning The X Factor in 2008, and Alexander McQueen, Stella her debut single Hallelujah sold over McCartney, Chanel and Dolce & one million copies – a first for a British Gabbana. Quite a few! female solo artist. In 2014, she What do you like to perform in? made her West End debut in The Most of my stage outfits are specially Bodyguard playing Rachel Marron, made for me. All-in-one catsuits with and now stars as Deloris Van high Dr Martens heel boots work well Cartier in Sister Act. Alexandra – they are so comfortable. lives in Hertfordshire with her What is the most amazing outfit four dogs. you’ve worn on stage? So far, the How would you describe gold dress I wore when I won The X your style? Glamorous on Factor. I was worried my boobs would stage, dungarees off stage. fall out, so I asked to be taped in. Away from the limelight, I Do you work with a stylist for your revert to being a tomboy. stage and video work? I like to work Which colours and with stylists because they tend to think shapes suit you outside the box. best? I love colour Are you enjoying dressing as a on stage, but in nun in Sister Act? Yes, but it gets my personal life very hot wearing a habit and wimple! I like black. As What about your outfits inThe for shapes, I love Bodyguard? It was so different – I high-waisted had 22 clothes changes and one of Wearing her shorts and jeans. them was on stage where I strip down favourite Dr I think my legs to my bra and pants. There were a lot Martens are my best of layers involved! biker-style boots feature so I’m How has your style evolved since with a jacket by not afraid to you won The X Factor? I’m a lot A Star Is Born, have them out. more confident now and I’m not afraid vintage Levi’s What is your to experiment. ripped denim favourite Do you have a style icon? Apart shorts and a fashion era? The from Audrey Hepburn; Kate Moss and white vest 1950s, the Audrey Naomi Campbell. from Primark Hepburn era. I have How do you keep fit for touring? a picture of her in my I work out four to five times a week, Left: Alexandra dining room. Every time mostly with a personal trainer. I’m also wears her I look at her, I think, on the SlimFast diet. I’ve lost about best-buy black “What a class act!” two stone. Chanel suit, What are your Are you a hoarder or do you clear which she favourite high- out your wardrobe each season? bought from street brands? A hoarder, but I have a stylist friend a vintage shop Zara, H&M or who comes twice a year and edits in London’s vintage shops. my clothes. Chiltern Street

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Are you a fan of vintage? Yes. My Below, clockwise from left: Alexander works outs favourite haunt is Cow in Birmingham Alexandra wore this Body Armour regularly to keep in and Nottingham. But my best vintage dress when she won The X Factor. shape. Her top is by buy I bought in London – two Chanel She also wore the minidress by Alexander Wang for suits which cost £1,500, a fraction of Alexander McQueen – one of her H&M, shorts by Ivy Park their original price. favourite designers – on the show by Beyoncé for Topshop How many shoes and handbags do and trainers by Adidas you own? Over 500 pairs of shoes, Leather boots, shoulder bag and but a lot fewer handbags. By day I’m a belt by Alexander McQueen trainers and Dr Martens girl but the heels come out for evening. I change Alexandra loves taking Polaroids. my everyday bag every two weeks and Here she is with Aston from JLS, de-clutter – some of my favourites are Mary J Blige, Rochelle and Marvin by Céline, Hermès and Chanel. Humes and Tom Jones What is the best piece of fashion advice you have ever been given? Alexandra’s dad brings her back Always dress for your shape. Bob Marley memorabilia whenever What is your current favourite he visits his native Jamaica outfit? A baggy Levi’s shirt with J Brand jeans and Converse or Nike. The singer uses this Louis Vuitton Is there an old favourite you turn vanity case for jewellery and to in a wardrobe crisis? Yes, one of accessories. Also seen: her teddy, several little black dresses. They are all Family; Moon Dance fragrance; fitted, tailored and flattering. Moo sunglasses and Christian How much do you spend on Louboutin nail polishes clothes each month? Probably a few hundred then I’ll splash out on a nice This multi-coloured D&G playsuit piece every six months or so. My last was a gift from Dolce & Gabbana flurry was in April when Beyoncé brought out her Ivy Park fitness clothing line for Topshop – I bought pretty much the whole collection! What’s the most expensive item in your wardrobe? And best bargain? My Hermès Birkin bags are the most expensive – I’ve got two. And my Chanel suits are my best bargain. What is the oldest item in your wardrobe? My Louboutin shoes which I wore on the X Factor final. t ives A gency u sing N ars Co sme ics Who would you like to make your wedding dress? Either David t C rea Emanuel or Suzanne Neville. What’s your favourite piece of jewellery? My rose gold Cartier necklace which was a Christmas present from my boyfriend Josh. : Thembi M kand l a Have you ever made a fashion faux pas? An all-in-one latex suit – it wasn’t until I saw photos in the press that I realised how hideous it looked. What item of clothing would you save from a burning house? I wouldn’t. I’d just grab my car keys and dogs Alfie, Prince, Teddy and Milo. They come with me on tour. It’s full-on, like having four kids.

Alexandra is starring in the national tour of Sister Act. For details, go to

P h oto graphs : Tessa H a ll man N / air & M ake -u p sisteractuktour.co.uk.

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