Wang had me at Hello

The last time I stood in an enormous line outside the Roseland Ballroom, it was for a rock show, and both times I was a devoted fan decked out in my edgiest black and grey attire with the rest of the throngs around me. The queue was massive, going around the corner beyond my line of sight. A young man in front of me was donning the requisite grey ripped beanie hat, and the woman behind me wore Alexander Wang skin tight trousers with a fly zip that went provocatively from front to back.

Security was tight, as celebrities and socialites from all around were there. I even saw Anna Wintour dressed in her own brand of rock and roll chic going for a sneak peak backstage before the show began.

It is funny to me how the fashion world has embraced punk/rock/grunge with such welcoming arms. An aesthetic I have always loved, has as a result had the brightest artistic minds bringing it to a new level, without making it over chic. Yes, Alexander won the CFDA this year, but he had me at 'hello'.

Despite last seasons brief foray into bright colors, Wang returned to his normal palate of black and grey with splashes of white and the odd deep tone of purple. He did not disappoint his diehard fans, nor his new Elite following, as he stuck to what he does best and simply made it better.  His dresses were more complex in their draping and geometry, his range of textures were more varied and luxe, and his silhouettes more refined.

What makes Alexander so great to me is the way he deftly balances the rough edge of rock and the oversized boxy silhouettes borrowed from menswear, with the sexiest of silky delicately draped mini dresses and super skinny legs and luxe fabrics.  It is a self possessed sexiness that is thoroughly modern, and I imagine quite a bit intimidating. I cannot imagine wearing a piece of his without feeling absolutely powerful in a strangely casual way. A power that is as equally feminine sexy as it is strength of conviction and confidence that is usually associated with testosterone.

Bring it on.

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