Image via Complex Original
Alexander Wang is officially the new creative director at Balenciaga. The Paris-based fashion house issued a statement yesterday confirming the appointment.
As you may know, Wang launched his eponymous line in 2007, introducing his first women's collection. He then ventured into menswear with his T by Alexander Wang line, followed by a main line not long after. Since then, he's gained a cult-like following. His designs have also attracted celebrities such as A$AP Rocky, Jay-Z, Pusha T, and Big Sean. Not to mention, plenty of hot women.
Wang is quickly becoming one of the biggest names in the fashion industry, all the more reason to better familiarize yourself with him. We did some digging to help you out. Here are the 10 Things You Didn't Know About Alexander Wang.
10. He attended Central Saint Martins.
Wang took a summer course at the prestigious Central Saint Martins in London just after the 8th grade. He was 15 years old, and already a fashion prodigy early on. As you know, some of the most revered designers in the industry, such as Alexander McQueen and Phoebe Philo, have also attended the college.
9. He staged his first fashion show at his brother's wedding.
Wang staged his first fashion show at his brother's wedding. The collection consisted of 33 evening dresses. We'd like to think it prepared him for the many shows he'd put on at New York Fashion Week, a highlight for many editors, critics, and fashion industry insiders.
8. He dropped out of college.
At 18, Wang moved from San Francisco to New York City to study at Parsons The New School for Design. He would only stay for two years; he dropped out after his sophomore year. No worries though, because we saw how well that turned out.
7. He was always known for his sweaters.
Believe it or not, it was cashmere sweaters that got him his first taste of fame. After his stint at Parsons, he launched a line of unisex intarsia cashmere sweaters. They were first sold door-to-door and then became a hit after appearing in The New York Times. Interestingly enough, the first pieces Marc Jacobs also sold was a collection of oversize, hand-knit sweaters he designed while at Parsons. Great minds think alike.
6. He almost designed sweaters for Diane von Furstenberg.
A lot of people wanted to get their hands on Wang's cashmere sweaters, even designer Diane von Furstenberg. As the story goes, Furstenberg saw the sweater on a woman, who turned out to be an editor at Vogue, and immediately asked who designed it. She then asked Wang if he'd be willing to design sweaters for her, but Wang rejected. Furstenberg would later on become Wang's mentor after winning the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund in 2008.
5. He worked at Barneys.
A young designer's got to eat and pay rent, right? While still in school, Wang worked at the shoe department at Barneys. Now, Barneys sells his footwear. Funny how things work out.
4. He interned at a few fashion houses.
Anyone in the fashion industry will tell you that interning is important. Wang put in the work at Marc Jacobs and Derek Lam.
3. His brand is run entirely by his family.
Wang decided early on that he and his family would run the company. His brother, Dennis, is the company's chief principal designer, and his sister-in-law, Amie, is the label's CEO. He, his mom, and both of his siblings are also the sole owners of the company; no other investors. "We’ve had people approach us but we don't need the money," he said. "If we can keep one hundred percent of our ideas about how to grow the business, then why not?” Truuu.
2. He collaborated with Uniqlo and Gap.
In 2008, Alexander Wang designed a collection for Japanese retailer Uniqlo. The line included five looks all priced under $80.
A year after, he followed up with a collection for Gap's ongoing Design Edition initiatives. It was a project between Gap and the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund project winner. Wang's designs consisted of khakis, a first for a collection that was always made up of white shirts.
Both collaborations were for women only, but hopefully he does another high-low line, this time for guys. Alexander Wang for H&M?
1. He designed a T-shirt for Starbucks.
In 2011, Starbucks, the worldwide coffee purveyor and and supporter of the CFDA, the Council of Fashion Designer of America, collaborated on a capsule collection with some notable American designers. Among them were Billy Reid and Alexander Wang, who designed T-shirts for the coffee chain. Wang's design took the plain white tee and featured a trompe l'oeil coffee spill graphic that transformed into the brand's mermaid logo. Smart!
