T by Alexander Wang resort 2012

Although Alexander Wang isn’t designing uniforms for the 2012 Olympics, his phone will likely ring off the hook next time around now that this collection’s out. “We were inspired by competitive swimmers, cyclists, and girls prepping for marathons,” he said at today’s primary-colored presentation, where perforated track vests, patchwork windbreakers, and utility track pants (accessorized with heeled sneaker-sandals) were skillfully translated for his urban loyalists. 

It was a focused and confident collection from the young, unstoppable designer who disclosed plans to open a two-story flagship in Beijing in 2012. In designing clothes that will be in his Grand Street store come November, Wang picked up fall’s baton for chic, luxe looks with athletic undertones, leaving behind fur-tipped opulence and concentrating instead on perforated, kinetic wearability. “I never really did sports growing up,” he said with a laugh, realizing the irony of the underlying sensibility that’s been with him since the start. “Maybe that’s why they intrigue me. The technology that goes into that clothing is steps ahead, so it’s always been something I look towards.”

It’s unlikely, however, that Wang’s collection will ever see the inside of an Equinox, let alone a track field. Rather, what the designer offered was a complete and compelling vision of how a cool girl should dress on the street. Appropriately, he chose Aymeline Valade, Emily Baker, Ajak Deng, and other well-toned beauties to showcase this timely and covetable aesthetic (who doesn’t want to look as effortlessly stylish as the aforementioned in running shorts, T-shirt, and knee-length vest in the wake of the Games?). It seems Wang’s resort message is to dig out of your gym bag, but no need to start training.


Vogue

XOXO

Jolyn's