A Decade of Alexander Wang
PHOTOS: JUSTICE APPLE.
Alexander Wang’s Spring/Summer ’16 show on Saturday night at Pier 94 rang in the 10th anniversary of his eponymous label—and the extravaganza was nothing less than our expectations. Upon entering, a rock concert-like ambiance was fashioned with a merchandise stand selling Wang’s DoSomething t-shirts and sweats, and the front row was brimming with Wang’s celebrity posse (including Kanye West, Nick Minaj, Mary J. Blige, and even Lady Gaga), who basked in the glow of an LED video screen parallel to the runway.
The postmodern collection harked back to the label’s downtown and urban New York cool roots that initially accelerated Wang’s fashion ascent. Comfortable and athletic silhouettes in mostly muted tones came in the form of hoodies, bomber jackets, and tanks for both men and women. More theatrical and polished pieces were mixed in, ranging from black leather fringe army jackets to body-skimming silky lace slip dresses.
The real fun began after the show ended, though. The video screen played a touching and hypnotizing, albeit loud and rapid-fire, retrospective of Wang’s career, before glitter cannons signified the start of the after-party, conveniently located behind the runway. Acrobatic pole-dancers dominated the scene with graceful gyrating, while buxom waitresses passed around Hooters-catered cheeseburgers and buffalo wings.
“You know we like to do things small here,” Wang teased the crowd an hour into the party. “And if you’ve ever been to our parties, you know there are a lot of surprises.” Surprises this time around meant performances by Tinashe, A$AP Ferg, Lil’ Wayne, and Ludacris, while attendees were showered with faux $10 bills of “Wang currency” from a cash cannon and a never-ending ice luge.
Here’s to 10 more years, Mr. Wang.
