It was an upbeat going-away show for Alexander Wang Friday night as he bid farewell to Balenciaga in his signature vivacious fashion.
Images: InDigital
Wang, who was brought on to the French fashion house for his notable sporty-chic designs, bid adieu with a collection of white boudoir-inspired streetwear, a surprisingly feminine twist compared to his moody NYFW show. Steering away from the French line’s signature innovative design style, Wang experimented instead with simple silk satins, linens and cottons sans overdone modern structure and avec classic silhouettes.
Gauzy, transparent shift dresses with built-in bralettes and plenty of ruche and ruffle made their way around the Grecian bathhouse-inspired runway, topped off with a ubiquitous fringe bag, hip-slung satin pack or lace tote to match the models’ slippers. Amidst the designer’s newfound stylistic rebirth it was comforting to spot some of his more staple street-chic pieces. A racerback top, some striped palazzo pants and a few boxy outerwear pieces were there to counter the romanticism and remind us all that his departure marks more of a new beginning than a mournful end.
Shop: current season Alexander Wang
Nature-inspired got a new look Friday at the Loewe spring showcase, thanks to Jonathan Anderson steering it to new depths by playing with the contrast between more is more and classic style.
The Spanish-born fashion house’s base in fine leathers inspired Anderson to expand on his own hide techniques to bring a certain edge to the luxurious line. For every out-there cellophane trouser and metallic-embossed crocodile palazzo pant stood simpler suede jackets, classic knits and long leather shifts. Staying true to the brand’s luxe lifestyle with pieces the likes of striped suede tracksuits made for the jet-set life; Anderson simultaneously managed to bring an avant-garde vibe that echoed his eponymous spring collection with innovative takes on tassel (think more mod metallic than nouveau bohemian).
The showstoppers? The seemingly random embellishments of shattered mirror that cascaded thoughtfully down one of Edie Campbell’s oversized dress sleeves and covered the fronts of angular layered dresses, trousers and sweaters alike.
Shop: current season Loewe
—Emma Ranniger