>> After his Spring 2009 footwear debut had a waitlist of 900 at Opening Ceremony, Alexander Wang is going full speed ahead with accessories, he tells W. Eyewear will debut for Spring 2010, and he's expanding his T collection to include more than just cotton tanks and T-shirts, but the concept will still incorporate the “T-shirt culture of throwing something on and running out of the house.”
With increasingly more attention, Wang is careful about getting to schticky: "I’ve seen so many designers fall into that trap. The fun part is being able to evolve and challenge yourself . . . If you get too comfortable, it’s not invigorating. I’ve always remembered something Marc Jacobs said in an interview: As soon as people get used to what you’re doing, you have to change direction.”
T by Alexander Wang
Spring 2010 Brings Sunglasses, an Expanded T Collection for Alexander Wang
>> Alexander Wang Launches E-Commerce Wednesday — Alexander Wang has come a long way since his first fashion show, which he held at his brother's wedding: He's launching stateside e-commerce on Wednesday because he "love[s] the idea of shopping in bed." The selection will include his full bag line, shoes, and T by Alexander Wang exclusives — hopefully there will be plenty of stock, so it won't be a do-over of the scene at Opening Ceremony last season, when girls who missed out on Wang's shoes cried. [Style File, Opening Ceremony]
T by Alexander Wang in T-Minus Two Weeks
>> Alexander Wang may be skipping his legendary fashion show after-party this February, but he's got a more democratic treat in store instead: the T by Alexander Wang line he promised back in August, just as described. “Necklines are stretched and armholes are strategically lowered so that it looks worn in. It’s like sleeping in a T-shirt and then wearing it the next day. It’s not this crisp little T out of the dryer. It’s draped and kind of wilted." The twelve styles of dresses, tops, and tanks are a third of the price of his mainline — think dresses for around $85, tees around $75. Stock hits stores by the end of the month, and Saks already has some pieces available for pre-order.
Alexander Wang Cans Erin Wasson, Has Lots in the Can for Spring 2009
>> After two seasons of working together, Alexander Wang and Erin Wasson are parting ways . . . mostly. Alex has hired Alastair McKimm to style his Spring 2009 collection in place of Wasson, but Erin will still be creating jewelry for the show from her Low Luv line.
As for the clothes, Alexander Wang promises "a marked departure" from past collections: lots of color and dresses, an athletic-meets-“Miami Vice” vibe, lace patterns inspired by sweat stains, and runway hats by milliner Albertus Swanepoel that look like a mix between swim caps and “corseted do-rags.”
But wait, there's more! Spring 2009 also means a diffusion line, T by Alexander Wang, and the designer's first shoe collection (both above). T focuses on what else but tees: Tanks to T-shirt dresses ($28-$40 wholesale) in colors ranging from whites and gray to lavender, chartreuse and cerulean, all in Alex's signature slouchy style.
As for the shoes, there are five styles to begin with, $125 to $250 wholesale, capturing the street feel Alex likes — and get this: He used actual body-piercing rings as hardware. What a whirlwind — let's hope Alex can keep up!
*image: source
Vero Moda
Shoe Studio
Juan Antonio Lopez