Alexander Wang S/S 2014 New York

[disco54]

It always feels like we hear the same criticisms for Alexander Wang in here...
But are people expecting him to be something that he's not?

He's been designing for the same type of cool girl as long as we've known him.
Why is he getting trashed for that in here?

This is what I expect from Alexander Wang (not super inaccessible uber-high end fashions that only 40+ year old women and trophy wives can afford).

When your at the helm of a house like Balenciaga, there should be an evolution in design not an Erin Wasson capsule collection for Forever 21.

 

[Marc10]

When your at the helm of a house like Balenciaga, there should be an evolution in design not an Erin Wasson capsule collection for Forever 21.

His job at Balenciaga has nothing to do with his label though. Two totally different situations.

 

[disco54]

I am not talking about labels I am talking about the level of design.

 

[Marc10]

But that's the point. For the Alexander Wang brand and customer, this level of design is suitable.

 

[FashionFanatico]

it's young and fresh, what you want more from aw? first look is killing it.

 

[vinceeatspencil]

I find it irritatingly interesting. loved the collection minus the gloves.

 

[Phuel]

it's young and fresh, what you want more from aw? first look is killing it.

It's very young but it's not fresh to me.

I like Alexander. He's really winning me over with his combination of sleek business branding mixed with a strong design identity for his label. The actual garments may not be new, or original, but his style sensibilities are refreshing within the context of who he's designing for. In a very short amount of time, he's able to create a distinct style that is unmistakably his. And I like Alexander as a personality.

This collection-- I appreciate it more than I like it. Maybe that's how I feel about him and his designs: I appreciate it for its relevance to how people I know love it because it suits their style and how accessible it is-- but it's not my thing, so I don't like it personally. And as Marc10 mentions, his level of design may not be up to the standards of high fashion to some, but it is appropriate for his customer, and he's managed to introduce elements of high fashion to his always sporty vibe-- which is very "American high fashion". And those laser-cut, very sharp and graphic dresses are really strong and solid, but the "EXplicit Content" graphics already feels stale and I hate it. The logos will be highly coveted by his teenage clientele. I very much appreciate that he keeps the palette monochromatic rather than give into predictable florals and colors, and awful pastels, just because it's S/S. I like that restraint and consistency from him.

He's the best-- and at least a league above most, if not at times, all the other NY designers, for me anyway. Maybe that's not saying a lot since I think the others are so bland with their department-store/ ladies-who-lunch, red carpet-baiting, or poor man's take on Miuccia/ Raf/ Nicholas collections.

 

[Deleted member 7575]

But that's the point. For the Alexander Wang brand and customer, this level of design is suitable.

The problem for me is not the level of design used at Wang's signature label vs. Balenciaga, it's that the level of design shown at his own label is actually his limit. He doesn't actually exceed it designing for Balenciaga. He only seems to force it, gussy it up, and throw some fashion glamour around it.

Also, I don't think it's valid that a designer not push themselves just because they are designing for a different market. You can be innovative and fresh when doing street wear or cheaper clothes if you're a good designer, period.

The Nicholas Ghesquire rehashes here are glaring. I'd forgive them if they were being done under the Balenciaga label (like Wang's other Ghesquiere rehashes), but it seems he can't keep the Balenciaga archive off his mind even when in New York. Can you blame him? Nicholas is a great a designer. Wang is not. This collection makes that clear.

 

[Caffeine]

agree with you word for word

The problem for me is not the level of design used at Wang's signature label vs. Balenciaga, it's that the level of design shown at his own label is actually his limit. He doesn't actually exceed it designing for Balenciaga. He only seems to force it, gussy it up, and throw some fashion glamour around it.

Also, I don't think it's valid that a designer not push themselves just because they are designing for a different market. You can be innovative and fresh when doing street wear or cheaper clothes if you're a good designer, period.

The Nicholas Ghesquire rehashes here are glaring. I'd forgive them if they were being done under the Balenciaga label (like Wang's other Ghesquiere rehashes), but it seems he can't keep the Balenciaga archive off his mind even when in New York. Can you blame him? Nicholas is a great a designer. Wang is not. This collection makes that clear.

 

[disco54]

The problem for me is not the level of design used at Wang's signature label vs. Balenciaga, it's that the level of design shown at his own label is actually his limit. He doesn't actually exceed it designing for Balenciaga. He only seems to force it, gussy it up, and throw some fashion glamour around it.

Also, I don't think it's valid that a designer not push themselves just because they are designing for a different market. You can be innovative and fresh when doing street wear or cheaper clothes if you're a good designer, period.

The Nicholas Ghesquire rehashes here are glaring. I'd forgive them if they were being done under the Balenciaga label (like Wang's other Ghesquiere rehashes), but it seems he can't keep the Balenciaga archive off his mind even when in New York. Can you blame him? Nicholas is a great a designer. Wang is not. This collection makes that clear.

You expressed EXACTLY what I feel and better!

 

[karina_zb]

you have to have a pretty big ego to slap your name on as much stuff as he did...everywhere.

*Or* you could be making a statement about the trendy logo-mania reminiscent of the 90's that's got everyone who's into fashion since they discovered tumblr slapping on their Hermés-but-it-actually-says-Homiés tshirts on in order to broadcast their fashion savvy and ironic wit.

I liked the logo-crazy pieces as much as I like the Céline/Féline trend going on, as in, not very much, but I think it was a good reflection on our surroundings. Hats off to Mr. Wang for referencing American pop culture I guess.

 

[carolyna]

I am little disapointed about this collection

 

[vanrijn]

this collection didn't really do much for me, it felt a bit rushed and unfinished, as though mr wang is spreading himself too thin now
generally speaking, my love affair for a wang has slowly been dissipating, it was reignited when I saw the beautiful balenciaga ad campaign which he provided the creative direction on, but after seeing this it's going downhill again...sigh

 

[KKnardi]

I like the bags and the pieces with AW logo's

 

[ParisFashionMuse]

very messy

 

[nita-karoliina]

I liked it. Better collection than the last one. This is very wearable.

 

[SabrinaNicole]

I knew someone would bring the logos back.

 

[Creative]

Amazing. He's genius. I mean, he gotta be genius to make people belive he is a wunderkind showing stuff like this.

The boy is adorable, but he has zero talent. At least design-wise...

 

[agee]

I'm not blown away but I like the sporty sexiness of the collection.