CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund announced the winner of its fifth edition, Monday, 17 November at Skylight Studios, New York. The award, consisting in a $200,000 US prize plus a year of business mentoring by a fashion industry insider went to young&hip designer Alexander Wang.
At only 24, he outbeat some of the best American design talents including Richard Chai, Jason Wu, Juan Carlos Obando, Obedient Sons & Daughters and John Patrick of Organic.
Alexander Wang F/W 2008/09
Alexander Wang is credited with the introduction of chic-grunge aesthetic, reinventing basics like t-shirts, jeans, blazers or biker jackets into stylish must-haves items.He considers that a tee and jeans can be "as stylish as an evening gown". So don't expect to see any "red-carpety" gowns any time soon in Alexander Wang collections. His main inspiration is everyday street style upgraded by refined silhouettes, clean cuts and luxurious fabrics.
Alexander Wang resort 2009
Alexander began designing for its own label when he was still studying at Parsons and he launched his first womenswear collection in 2007 which was a tremendous success. His designs address a young, tough, adventurous woman who could be "living on a motorboat".
The clothes suggest a dark mood that mixes sexy femininity with androgynous, "borrowed-from-boyf" looks: dark colors, mostly black, skinny jeans, lots of leather, metal zippers, lean vests, body-conscious mini dresses, as well as baggy trousers, ripped tees and chunky knits. Evening wear is not an unknown factor for Alexander: chiffon mini dresses and tuxedo-jackets luxe up the toughness.
Alexander Wang S/S 2009
For his spring/summer 2009 collection Wang added more colour (lavender, denim blue, turquoise, bubble-gum pink and tangerine) and slouchy sportswear pieces but the "grunge-girl" was still present. Just look at those fringed/chained black open-toe leather booties.
