NOTES

As a teaser for this week’s launch of Alix Higgins’ Pre-Fall ’26 collection entitled Goodbye Cowboy at MANE, we sat down with the designer and chewed the fat.

ORSON: Let’s break the ice: what did you wear on the plane here?

ALIX: I’ve actually detoured through Shanghai on my way to Melbourne from Sydney. So this outfit had been in the suitcase for a while waiting for the airport. I wore full look Alix Higgins: Goodbye Cowboy V-neck which I have worn the entire time I’ve been in Melbourne, Couture Tee, and a Phoebe Cutler necklace. She has a studio in my building.

ORSON: Introdu…

ALIX: Oh! And I’m also wearing pants. Alix Higgins Split Shorts.

ORSON: Tea! Thank you. Introduc…

ALIX: Omg and Raybans I’ve had since I was 15. I was given them for Christmas – they’re black Wayfarers. A bit Robert Pattinson in Twilight.

ORSON: I was thinking more Audrey Hepburn, but yes! Introduce us to Alix Higgins Pre-Fall ’26 as if this were a blind date and you had matchmade us.

ALIX: I had a lot of fun making it. The character of this collection is just…funny. Cool but actually sick and twisted. Definitely not straight down the barrel. Essentially I’d describe them as cool and chic with a very, very strong sense of humour – but that sense of humour is maybe not for everyone.

ORSON: We love a slogan at MANE and this is obviously something on which we align – tell us about ‘Goodbye Cowboy’

ALIX: Goodbye Cowboy is a phrase I first encountered in a book called ‘My First Book’ by Honor Levy. It’s a collection of short stories and it was a bit of a throwaway line from one of the characters. I looked it up and it also happens to be the song title of a million country songs. I think it’s tragic and sad for sure – heartbreaking most definitely but still quite tough. I seem to always be drawn to slogans that are meaningless but meaningful.

ORSON: What’s the best non-Alix Higgins slogan you’ve seen lately?

ALIX: I came here from Shanghai two days ago and while I was there I saw an amazing tee that just said SORRY FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE in giant capital letters. Like, any inconvenience. Not for one in particular. And after seeing it I felt like I could go about my day and all was forgiven.

ORSON: What would you wear to my funeral?

ALIX: To your funeral, I’d do the full look in black chiffon from Alix Higgins Goodbye Cowboy. I think it’s respectfully covered – like head to toe – but also completely see-through. And maybe a custom veil in the same fabric.

ORSON: What would you wear to your own funeral?

ALIX: I guess my wedding dress? The moodboard is sort of the dress Lady Gaga wears at the end of the Judas video clip while she’s being stoned. It’s Christian Lacroix. I would like to wear that for both occasions.

ORSON: I know the dress. Thoughts on new Madonna?

ALIX: I love it. Madonna is so cool. It’s also so cool to see someone doing what they always have done. I think the album is so fabulous because it’s so unflinching and confident. Like, it says “I know what I’m about”. It’s more of the same but it’s what we want. 

ORSON: My favourite song is School.

ALIX: Mine are Danceteria and L.E.S. Girl.

Shop Alix's latest collection Goodbye Cowboy here