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.

View the collection on Style.com

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Fashion Week: Alexander Wang

As with last season, the Alexander Wang show was absolute mayhem as the industrial space filled with post-industrial black clad hipsters sipping on champagne out of convenient individual sized bottles. For the most part I steered clear. I was sopping wet from the rain, and feeling way to sticky to socialize. Although I did meet a cool japanese duo who photographed my wet-self. I also got to say a quick 'hello' to the in-house celeb, Erin Wasson, who I used to work with on Maybelline. She didn't style the show this season, but she did provide the jewelry, and her style  influence definitely lives on.

Rumor had it that this season Wang was going to include bright springy colors, and I was wondering if his design aesthetic would remain bad-ass...and thankfully, it did.  The bright colors were styled in a very Miami-Vice way, but with the grit and sweat of the Colin Farrell version.  And don't worry, he still had the requisite amount of black in varying textures to keep the tuff sect happy. The styling was his usual mix of slouchy I-don't-give-a-fuck combined with sexy cutouts and luxe fabrics. A seemingly strange combo, but one that is very close to my heart.

Oh, Alexander, why didn't I have the balls to talk to you when I saw you at Sway?? I think you're awesome.

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Alexander Wang: Tanks,T-shirt dresses, and Shoes...OH MY!

I was at Sway a month or so ago with a good friend of mine when we spotted the fabulous Alexander Wang, sporting a white V-neck T shirt and army parka, surrounded by the requisite amount of models. Or as he has termed them, M.O.D's: Models Off Duty. Their look is on the extreme end of casual, playing down their beauty and the glamorous nature of their job by dressing in old battered clothes, wearing no make-up, and accessorizing to add personality (usually either a boho scarf, chain jewelry, or some punky leather). And I gotta say, they look great everytime. If only it were that effortless for us mere mortals. My friend was commenting on how she used to dress like that...in hoodies, old jeans, and no make-up...until she realized that on her, it just looked schlubby. She's now venturing into the world of dresses, heels, and make-up, with much better results. But hey, if MOD is your bag, it's do-able...you just have to do it right.

It starts with realizing that you are probably not 7 foot tall, reed thin, and topped with the face of an angel. My guess is you're beautiful with great bits and with flaws as well. The trick is in the combinations you choose. If you look at MOD's they may wear a few baggy thread bare pieces, but their sex appeal is rarely lost. If they have a baggy sweater on, they are probably showing some leg. If it's baggy pants, it may be a super thin white tank top that shows their arms and decolletage. And never forget to add in an element of personality: Some badass shoes or boots, a jumbly chain necklace, a fedora, a scarf (but

hey now, just choose one or two!). You can play up your best bits, when you are playing down in other areas...so get your gams out if you got 'em (but do it with ratty old daisy duke jean shorts, a baggy T, and a scarf), show that cleavage (with boyfriend pants and a thread bare white V-neck T or a wife beater topped with some long thin chain necklaces). Et voila, cool and 'effortlessly' sexy.

And here's the best news of the day: Alexander Wang, who has built his career around turning us all into MOD's is expanding. Yes, he is starting a diffusion line, which is great for those of us who have wallet bulemia. It will be the basic elements that an MOD lives in: tank tops, T-shirts, and T-shirt dresses. All will be treated to be loose, threadbare, and effortlessly sexy. Hoorah. And Furthermore, word is that Wang will be venturing into the arena of shoes. He is going for provocative and sexy with variations on the platform sandal. The idea is to go one step beyond the open-toe trend, by adding a thong...and as he puts it..."it draws your attention to that area" (but I ask...is toe cleavage really that sexy? who knew).

Meanwhile, over at Alexander Wangs eponymous line, get ready for a huge shift, as he moves away from grunge this spring and to more colorful dresses..I do so hope I get into that show again!

Wangs Fall 08 and Resort 09

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Alexander Wang for Uniqlo

Alexander Wang Fall 2008

Alexander Wang for Uniqlo

Where to begin?

I am a huge fan of Alexander Wang...but I can go ahead and get at the end of the line, because this 24 year old designer is the darling of the fashion scene. For me, he really hits on all the elements that I love: The 80's, dark rocker style, contradictory layering, and grey tones. 

He debuted at fashionweek for fall 2007, but really made a mark for spring 2008 when he teamed up with his muse, model Erin Wasson, as his stylist. Now, I have actually worked many times with Erin, and I really see them as a great fit. She always used to walk into fittings for Maybelline looking cool and casual...your typical 'Model Off Duty', usually in worn in jeans, layered T-shirts, chain necklaces, and no make-up. The client always wanted to preserve her coolness, but as with any advertising job, I think it did eventually get lost in the shuffle. None-the-less, Wang recognized what she had and used it well. She brought in the ripped up shorts, running black tights, her own chain jewelry, beanie hats, and bovver boots to create a totally badass femme that served to bring out Wangs edgy tailoring and unique style.

OK, I have gushed enough.

So now his vision will be available to the masses as his guest line for Uniqlo hits stores this friday. If you didn't know already, Uniqlo is the japanese equivalent of the Gap. A great place for basics (jeans, sweaters, shirts etc)...except the japanese are always much more stylish in a very modern avant-garde kind of way. So, go shop the line...and if you really want to complete the look, wear a big black beanie hat, ripped tights and big black boots with your dress...and don't forget to layer on a worn in black leather jacket.

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