Alexander Wang is the epitome of today’s modern youth with the creative ability that transcends many designers, but does he have what it takes to direct the great Parisian house?
Balenciaga has had quite the press in the past month. With their creative director of 15 years Nicolas Ghesquiere unexpectedly departing, it left the fashion industry in wonderment of the next designer. After the retirement of Cristobal Balenciaga, Nicolas Ghesquire became the man that resurrected the iconic house metamorphing it into the future embracing haute couture line it is today. With all this hype to live up to, Alexander Wang has received much attention both commending and criticizing.
[quote align=”center” color=”#b64736″]At 28, Wang is a young designer, adored by the fashion masses bringing his high energy around the globe.[/quote]Known for his “off duty model” designs and outlook on the world, Wang describes them as, “broader and more sensual. We are a generation linked together through culture, music, and experiences – not background.” Wang’s streetwise intuition is what he credits as giving him the ability to recognize what people want and what made him into becoming a business savvy designer for luxurious contemporary clothing. Making it easy for Isabelle Guichot, chief executive of Balenciaga call Wang, the “top choice.”
Although criticized as being propelled by the wings of Anna Wintour and Diane Von Furstenburg, many see the appointment as commercialized and way to win the growing Asian market. Supporting the decision, but not denying the critics is chief executive of PPR, the luxury group that owns Balenciaga, Francois-Henri Pinault, “he’s American. He has Chinese roots- his family is in Shanghai. He’s very multicultural in his approach. Is it important that Alexander has Asian roots? No, but it’s an extra value that he will bring.”
High hopes isn’t without its critics, let’s just hope Alexander Wang brings Balenciaga the creative force they need to stay on top.
By CheRima Manayan
