Monday, February 16, 2009

where's the wang revolution?

There is a noticeably special buzz surrounding the fall 2009 shows this week, and I should think it'll extend right through until the end of the new collections when Paris Fashion week draws to a close at the start of March.

It's a "this year is different" mentallity and an excitement and overdue need to see some new trends. I'm craving looks that are more refined and slick; more Jil Sander than Alexander Wang, something I've spoken about in a a couple of previous posts.

Having said this, I waited for the Alexander Wang Fall 2009 with baited breath, waiting to see if ironically he was in the same mood. Would he steer away from the leathery sheen of his grunge luxe or would be press on with his typical aesthetic of droppy tee shirts and cutaway sex?

[alexander+wang+fall+2009+new+york.jpg]


I must say, I was a little disappointed, because although glad to see him embracing a more grown up look, the collection didn't feel enough of a departure from his previous and I was hoping for more of a progression to promise that the Alexander Wang look has longivity. Though that CFDA/Vogue fashion fund along with the show's presence of big time influencers Anna Wintour and Phillip Green should be enough to promise a sustained future.
So in conclusion, the collection didn't quite do it for me, I was hoping for a more of a covered up look, with those black maxi skirts I've been speaking of; I'd love to see Wang come up with a new take on conservative. Instead with hemlines shortcoming and more slits in leggings, the front row which housed Jen Brill, Julia Restoin-Roitfeld, Roisin Murphy, Zoe Kravitz, Vanessa Traina [and bizarrely Sarah Jessica Parker who I would never have down as a Wang groupie] seemed a more promising breeding ground of new ideas.
[alexander+wang+fall+2009+new+york2.jpg]
pics jak and jil, style.com, fashionista, wireimage

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

The cutout leggings are amazing. I kinda love this, but I may have preferred last season's amazing dresses.

In any case, you're right. Erin Wasson? What??

Anonymous said...

we must be on the same wavelength...I've been wearing long black skirts since way back last year! if they are tight they can be less obviously sexy and I love them with converse.
alexander wang's designs are in my view slightly overrated. I liked the grungey styling of his f/w 08 collection, but I feel the impact of his shows are more to do with attitude and the models than the actual pieces themselves.

discotheque confusion said...

I think you've hit the nail on the head, Zoe. I'd also add that Alexander Wang's collection were quite exciting when they came out because they were so youthful and that particularly appealed to us fashion bloggers who are at the young end of the adult market. But I agree, a lot of it was to do with the mood; the Erin Wasson revival in particular and the fact that the styling was so great. I'm not pretending I don't like Alexander Wang, I think as a person he comes across really well and I really did love his designs, I'm just after a new look as I am every season and I don't feel that his has a timelessness; though hopefully over time he'll be able to create pieces that do.

If anyone disagrees and still hearts Wang, please get involved! Don't feel like you have to hold back on sharing the love, as this is only my opinion.

xx

oh, and ps, zoe where have you been getting your hands on long black maxi skirts?

Alice X said...

hollly woaza. what is ERIN wearing. she looks like a homeless lady, albeit a fabulously beautiful one.

alicexinwonderland.blogspot.com

A. said...

i seriously could not believe it when i saw roisin had been to a wang show, because she, of anyone, seems so far away from that aesthetic he has; the ripped grunge & is more the kindof refined style were waiting to see showcased this season by someone...

but hopefully this new breed of muses will inspire him, as erin did, for future more evolved collections.

x

A. said...

ps, roisin looked a 10

loved the crazy necklace that seemingly became a sortof embellished collar to the sweater.

& erin...a negative 10

wtf?

x

Anonymous said...

Hmm yes I really not too sure about what Erin is wearing, looks a bit of a mess.

jessica said...

gah ! i know ! erin ? what are you weaaaaring .
yeah, everyone loves you .. but no .
please, no .
& i loved the bodysuit (?) that isabeli wore .. minus the safari headdress .


x

jessica said...

i'm good :]
i got a new pair of boots & starbucks & half the day off of school today .
so i'm pretty happy right now .
you ?


x

- said...

there's no wang revolution in my opinion... he presented anyth extraordinary!

Anonymous said...

agreed- totally dissapointed in his clothes.
Its not like it matters, his clothes still sell like hotcakes. but he's trying to graduate from just being any nameless contemporary designer (say like Theory for example) into the "DESIGNER" territory. If he wants to do this his clothes need to go deeper than just some Givenchy spring 2009 knock off. Don't get me wrong, of course there are always things I want to buy, but for me to respect him for having a clear "vision" is questionable.