Alexander Wang talks about his business and design process

When Alexander Wang was appointed the new creative director of Balenciaga, the fashion world freaked out.  Wang's aesthetic is more commercial than Ghesquiere's was, but perhaps that was why Wang was chosen as Ghesquiere's successor.

Back when Wang's label first started, I was supposed to interview as an assistant designer, but due to a combination of schedule and my reluctance to work for someone who was younger than I was, I never interviewed.  Perhaps that was a mistake, but it's been interesting to see the evolution of his brand and his status as a designer.  His line started out as several relatively simple sweaters and has mushroomed into a huge lifestyle brand.  He definitely has an eye for what looks cool, and seems to work hard while staying humble.

Balenciaga Fall 2011

It's been a while.  I'll post an update soon, but the Paris shows are in full swing, and my favorite one, Balenciaga, didn't disappoint.  Here are a couple of images:

I love the print.  The texture of the jacket is pieces of faux leather woven together.

My fave model, Stella Tennant.  She's in her 30s at this point, with a couple of kids, but I've noticed her on the runways and in editorials recently.  I've loved her ever since I saw her at the Dior show when I was an intern there.  I think she's around 6' tall.  Androgynous but beautiful!

 

Amazing accessories!

I'm not sure how he does it, but there's something about Ghesquiere's work that elicits a visceral reaction for me.  The clothes and accessories are probably a little bit over the top for most people, but for me they are a perfect balance between craftsmanship, artistry, and wearability.  He's always pushing the envelope and the clothes always feel fresh and new, but rarely (to me at least) do they feel costumey.  I also enjoy that they give the wearer a feeling of power and strength while still feeling feminine.  The Balenciaga girl isn't a girly wallflower.

I'm not there yet, but his work is definitely an inspiration to me.

Balenciaga exhibit in New York at the Queen Sofia Spanish Institute

Yesterday I went to see the Balenciaga exhibit curated by Hamish Bowles here in New York.  It's at the Queen Sofia Spanish Institute on 68th and Park.  The exhibit is only up for a few more weeks so I decided to catch it while I could.  If you want to catch it, here is info on the hours and admission.

Gallery Hours: Mon. - Thurs.: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. ; Fri.: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. ; Sat.: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Admission: $15 for adults; $10 for students, seniors, and Institute members.

The exhibit consists of two large exhibition rooms displaying garments and hats, plus a third room that shows a video of models walking around wearing different outfits.  The pieces were curated through the lens of their relation to Spanish history and culture.  For instance, for each garment displayed on the ground floor, the corresponding placard showed a painting that would have inspired the piece.  On the second floor, there were references made to flamenco dancers, bullfighters, and religious garb. 

I'm a big Balenciaga fan, and it was just amazing to see so many of his garments displayed.  You could see the details and the way they were cut up close, and it was inspiring to see the work of someone so dedicated to his craft.  It reminded me that although it's easy to get caught up in all the hoopla surrounding fashion, what's really important is to develop work that's worth getting excited about.

This piece was probably my favorite in the exhibition.  I want to figure out how he draped that crazy sleeve.