Handbag designer Luella Bartley says Alexa Chung dresses for herself

Alexa Chung dresses for herself, according to handbag designer Luella Bartley.

The British model-and-presenter is known for her unique laidback style and Luella says she is a classic example of how English women should look.

Luella – who the best-selling Gisele style bag for Mulberry in 2002 – told the Observer newspaper: “English women are more concerned with looking cool and interesting than sexy or alluring. Alexa dresses in a very stylish way that is not about being sexy. I like to think she dresses for herself. That’s quite English. Men don’t come into it in a way. English women are feminists without thinking about it. We spend more time trying to make statements than looking nice. But not all English girls are like that – there are still the Cheryl Coles.”

And despite designing an iconic bag, Luella – whose own label closed in 2009 – insists she’s not a fan of It-bags.

She said: “It seems awful – I mean the It-bag, that’s the beginning of the end of culture in general. My label Luella was supposed to be lighthearted and all about individuality – not about the most wanted handbags.”