He has always been interested in fashion, but worked as a scaffolder before he shot to fame on Love Island last year.
And now off the back of the show, Alex Bowen has fulfilled his dream of creating a fashion collection by releasing his very own line, MVMNTLondon.
Speaking exclusively to MailOnline, the 26-year-old revealed his past in designing prior to the reality show, and gushed that his fiancée Olivia Buckland is his perfect match both in romantic and fashion terms, as she shares his ‘edgy’ sense of style.
New range: Alex Bowen has fulfilled his dream of creating his own fashion collection by releasing his very own line, MVMNT London
Alex worked as a scaffolder in Birmingham before his six-week stint on Love Island last summer – which not only shot him to fame, but introduced him to the love of his life, Olivia.
Having been offered a huge amount of exciting opportunities since departing the Majorca villa, the hunk immediately embarked on fulfilling his dream of designing his very own clothing collection, as a keen follower of fashion.
Speaking to MailOnline ahead of the launch, the hunk revealed he has been creating his own clothes for years, and that his head was full to the brim of ideas for his own range.
Hidden talent: Speaking exclusively to MailOnline, the 26-year-old revealed his past in designing prior to appearing on Love Island
Muse: He also revealed that his fiancée Olivia Buckland is his perfect match both in romantic and fashion terms, as she shares his ‘edgy’ sense of style
Revealing his natural flair for fashion, he explained: ‘Four years ago I took an old sweatshirt, cut it in half and put it together with a T-shirt to make a cool long line top.
‘I’ve always wanted to design, and about two months after the show I got the trademark but because I was so busy, nothing really happened with it.
‘However about six months ago Olivia bought me a sketchpad and pencils and it just took off – I’ve still got loads of drawings in it now ready for the winter!’
Passionate: Having been offered a huge amount of exciting opportunities since departing the Majorca villa, the hunk immediately embarked on fulfilling his dream of designing his very own clothing collection, as a keen follower of fashion
Excited: Speaking to MailOnline ahead of the launch, the hunk revealed he has been creating his own clothes for years, and that his head was full to the brim of ideas for his own range
Considered: ‘I just wanted to pick the best pieces and the ones that would make more of a statement for the launch,’ he said of the new range
Alex’s collection is set to launch later this month, and features a selection of timeless and understated pieces – including crisp pastel T-shirts and oversized jumpers.
Explaining that he wanted to inject his own sense of style into the range, he said: ‘I just wanted to pick the best pieces and the ones that would make more of a statement for the launch.
‘There are no big names anywhere, its all little logos on the corners or back. I didn’t want to smash it in your face – I wanted the garments to speak for themselves.’
Stylish: Alex’s collection is set to launch later this month, and features a selection of timeless and understated pieces – including crisp pastel T-shirts and oversized jumpers
Delighted: He revealed he is very proud of himself, for creating a high quality collection at such affordable prices – which he would have bought himself prior to fame
He also revealed he is very proud of himself, for creating a high quality collection at such affordable prices – which he would have bought himself prior to fame, and that he hopes will relate to the fans who now look up to him.
He added: ‘I get young lads always messaging me saying they look up to me.
‘When I was at uni and had my first job, I’d be getting around 200 quid a week, and I’d find a pair of jeans I like for £100 and I just wouldn’t be able to afford it.
‘I’ve always bought cheaper clothing, and I’d have to mix and match brands too whereas with my collection, you can buy a whole outfit of the same style from the same place.’
Blood, sweat and tears: While he admits his range is not rock-bottom prices, Alex assured his fans that the quality was worth it, as a result of months of hard work and dedication
While he admits his range is not rock-bottom prices, Alex assured his fans that the quality was worth it, as a result of months of hard work and dedication.
‘Jeans are price around £55, as I wanted it to be high quality,’ he said. ‘I made sure all the colours and materials were right. I’ve been very in-depth!’
While he has always known what he likes, Alex did admit with a laugh that his style has come into its own since meeting his fiancée Olivia, who shares the same ‘edgy and quirky’ tastes.
The hunk even confessed that the pair dress each other all the time – and that she loves it when he chooses her outfits.
He laughed: ‘The other week Liv was at London Fashion Week and had to get a train to a night out with my family, so I went out and bought her an outfit and she loved it!
Thoughtful: ‘Jeans are price around £55, as I wanted it to be high quality,’ he said. ‘I made sure all the colours and materials were right. I’ve been very in-depth!’
Similar: While he has always known what he likes, Alex did admit with a laugh that his style has come into its own since meeting his fiancée Olivia, who shares the same ‘edgy and quirky’ tastes
‘We get each other’s styles really well. If she asks me to buy her an outfit I definitely can, 8/- times out of 10, and I’d let her dress me as well. We’re quite quirky and quite edgy with our style.’
Alex gushed that Olivia, who he met and fell in love with on Love Island last year, is incredibly proud of his collection – but admitted the pair never thought their careers would take off like they have after the show.
He said proudly: ‘For me I was just a scaffolder who lived at home with my mum, and now I have my own clothing brand, I’m living with Olivia in our own house, getting ready to marry the girl, with our own dog…
‘To think this all came from that one show, is unreal. It changed my life for the better for sure.’
Peas in a pod: The hunk even confessed that the pair dress each other all the time – and that she loves it when he chooses her outfits
After a whirlwind romance on the show, Alex and Olivia later became engaged during their holiday to New York City over Christmas.
However, the Birmingham native admitted he knew he wanted to marry Olivia very early on, after spending 24 hours a day together in the Love Island villa.
Discussing his proposal, he said: ‘In the villa you have no phone, literally living together 24 hours a day, for six weeks, so everything was sped up. A long time together was a short time.
‘She was messing around once and showed me a photo of a ring, and I walked past a shop that had one quite similar soon after, and just bought it out straight.
Like-minded: ‘We get each other’s styles really well. If she asks me to buy her an outfit I definitely can, 8/- times out of 10, and I’d let her dress me as well. We’re quite quirky and quite edgy with our style,’ he said
Tasteful: ‘There are no big names anywhere, its all little logos on the corners or back. I didn’t want to smash it in your face – I wanted the garments to speak for themselves,’ he added
‘I messaged my best man who was really supportive, and I already had our trip NYC booked so he told me to do it there. It was just the perfect timing.’
Forming something of pattern however, 2017 contestants Jessica Shears and Dom Lever also recently announced their engagement – just three months after they met.
When asked whether he feels like the new couple are following their lead, Alex simply wished the pair well with their romance, and affirmed that he and Olivia were getting married for love.
He said: ‘A lot of people keep talking about the ‘Love Island’ wedding. Maybe Jess and Dom want that, but to me it’s the Alex and Olivia wedding.
‘People keep saying we’re the first to get married from Love Island, but that doesn’t even enter my head. I want to marry Olivia because I love the girl.’
Happy couple: After a whirlwind romance on the show, Alex and Olivia later became engaged during their holiday to New York City over Christmas
He then added: ‘Obviously everyone has their opinions on people, I’ve met them once and they seemed alright. If its genuine, I wish them all the best and if it’s not, it will all unfold.’
The pair are currently planning their wedding, which is scheduled for September 2018 – and Olivia even documented her day of dress shopping on TLC’s Say Yes To The Dress.
Having played out most of their romance on television, Alex revealed the pair had not written off the idea of broadcasting their wedding – but that they do want certain moments to remain private.
He said: ‘If it was filmed it would be nice to look back on, but I’m marrying her cause I love her and want to be with her. I’d want certain things to be private.
‘We’re in talks for something at the minute, but I want it on our terms as it’s our wedding day, ahead of the rest of our lives.’
Proving their romance to only be going from strength to strength, Olivia recently revealed that she was planning to come off the pill after the wedding, in order to try for a baby.
Big plans: The pair are currently planning their wedding, which is scheduled for September 2018 – and Olivia even documented her day of dress shopping on TLC’s Say Yes To The Dress
When asked about whether the pair’s plans to start a family, Alex admitted it was definitely on the cards – and that he has only been made more broody by their good friends Nathan Massey and Cara de la Hoyde, who are currently expecting.
He said of his friend, and Olivia’s maid of honour: ‘Cara being pregnant makes me broody!
‘I’m 26 now. Olivia’s 23, and I don’t want to be an old dad, but don’t want to be too young either.
‘When I have a kid I want to be a really good dad and be there for them, but as soon as we get married she’s gonna come off the pill and we’re going to let it happen naturally.’
However. unlike him and Olivia, Nathan and Cara have since split up since winning the ITV2 show last year – but Alex revealed the pair are still on good terms.
‘Nathan has really stepped up to the plate,’ he explained. ‘They’re really on it at the minute and they’ve become really good friends again.’
While he hopes the pair will get back together in the future, he remained coy over the prospect of a reconciliation, adding: ‘I think maybe they’re finding themselves a bit more, like they did on Love Island.’
MVMNT London is available to buy at www.mvmntlondon.co.uk.