Alexander Wang: Spring / Summer 2008 Collection

Alexander Wang is a young designer who is trying to make a name forhimself in the world of fashion. But his latest collection was not wellreceived. Vogue Magazine described his inspiration as being a group ofmodels that found clothing that had been discarded in 1987, and raidedit. But this is not an era or a look that most people remember fondly.Here are the details of what went wrong with this collection, and whathe should do to get back on track next season.

Many of Wang'spieces have a menswear look. His best piece is a light blue jacket withscrunched up sleeves, paired with a white top and shredded jean shorts.While the look is his best, from more experienced designers wouldprobably be their worst offering. Another outfit has a grid pattern onthe fabric, which is used on a sleeveless shirtdress. The fabric looksextremely poor quality, and the dress is very simple. In short, thereis nothing to distinguish it from something that a student in a homeeconomics class would make.

Another thing he seems fond of isusing metallic fabrics. These are not fabrics which have a slightlysilver cast to them, but fabrics that look like they are made fromaluminum foil. One dress looks as though it will remain creased ifsomeone were to accidentally fold it. And another silver shirt is heavyand bulky across the shoulders, in a design that almost certainlycontains shoulder pads.

All throughout the collection, thepieces are simple. Whether it is a shirtdress, a jacket, or a dress,the cut of the clothing seems to be the most simplistic cut possible.This is not a problem in other collections that might feature simplestyles, because they usually have an interesting pattern or fabricwhich adds a new aspect to the garment. But Alexander Wang'sSpring/Summer 2008 collection is lacking almost anything in the way offascinating details. Fashion thrives on innovation, and there is almost nothing innovative about Wang's designs.
Alexander Wang attended the Parson's School of Design, and interned atDerek Lam, Marc Jacobs, and Vogue. But after only a few short years, heleft school and began his own line. Unfortunately, the time could havebeen better spent in school. His latest collection is too simple, andsuffers from a serious lack of innovation. The fabric used is a poorquality with undesirable patterns, and the cut of the clothing isoverly simplistic. Wang describes his clothing as, "clean and pure inaesthetic, yet layered in complexities, with an approach towards theimperfect." But there is no room for imperfection on the runway, andhis Spring/Summer 2008 collection is not inspiring. Celebrities aretypically the first people to find a new designer, but Alexander Wanghas not yet found any die-hard followers. Fortunately for him, he isstill young and has time to recover from this season, but only withhard work and an eye for the small details.