A bleach-browed model cast, an A-list front row, a performance from CL and a surprise collaboration – here’s everything you need to know about the show
Last night, Alexander Wang staged his SS17 show at New York Fashion Week. I say show – technically speaking, it was shows because the designer debuted not one, but three collections: SS17 ready-to-wear, Resort 2017 (which was ‘See Now, Buy Now’), and a collaboration with adidas Originals. The latter came as a complete surprise. Though rumours that the sportswear giant was teaming up with a NY-based high-end label surfaced in July, this was the first time the news was actually confirmed. In fact, in something of a tongue-in-cheek twist, the capsule included a hoodie printed with a mock non-disclosure agreement. This, combined with a front row featuring Wang’s AW16 campaign stars and an after-party performance from K-pop queen CL, meant that this was one of the most eventful evenings of NYFW so far. Here’s your guide to what went down.
To model this collection, which he described backstage as “50 Shades of Grey meets Lords of Dogtown”, Wang enlisted a bleach-browed cast that included Kendall Jenner, Victoria’s Secret Angel Taylor Hill and Gurls Talk founder Adwoa Aboah. With strong boudoir overtones, the line mixed pinstripes and lace, rash guard fabric and tracksuit material – all in a palette of black, off-white and neon hues.
THEN HE DROPPED A SURPRISE COLLAB WITH ADIDAS...
Then came the shock: a surprise collab with adidas Originals. It began with a short film, after which his model cast reemerged on the catwalk wearing the collection – a nine-piece capsule including a t-shirt, sweatshirt, hoodie, tracksuit, and three footwear styles. For this range, the designer played with the brand’s signatures, turning its trefoil logo upside down and toying with its iconic three stripes. “I looked at what’s theirs, what they own, and I flipped it, literally and aesthetically,” he said in an interview with Vogue.
...AND ITS ACCOMPANYING LOOKBOOK FT. ROCCO RITCHIE
Rocco Ritchie for adidas Originals by Alexander WangPhotography Juergen Teller
Since the show, adidas Originals has released the lookbook for this collection, which features Madonna and Guy Ritchie’s 16-year-old son, Rocco Ritchie. Though you may not have seen him modelling before, this isn’t actually his fashion debut – Ritchie features in the new issue of LOVE magazine alongside his mum, shot by Mert and Marcus. Here he’s photographed by Juergen Teller, joined by the designer’s perennial muse Hanne Gaby Odiele, as well as offbeat editorial beauties Binx Walton and Lexi Boling.
THE STARS OF HIS AW16 CAMPAIGN SAT FRONT ROW
As you may remember, last week Wang revealed the stars of his new (AW16) campaign via a series of Polaroids he posted on Instagram. The group features an eclectic mix of music artists and pop cultural stars including Vince Staples, Kylie Jenner, Tyga, Skrillex, A$AP Ferg and Alice Glass. Kylie, Tyga and Skrillex were there last night, along with the designer’s best friend, K-pop phenomenon CL. They were joined on the front row by other big names such as Nicki Minaj, Pamela Anderson and her son Dylan, Madonna and her daughter Lourdes, and Die Antwoord’s Ninja and Yolandi Visser.
CL PERFORMED AT THE AFTER-PARTY
For CL though, her night didn’t end with an appearance on the front row – she also performed at the after-party, wearing adidas Originals by Alexander Wang, along with Desiigner, Fetty Wap, Skrillex and Travis Scott. The musicians join a long line of artists who have done so, including Courtney Love, Missy Elliott, Tinashe, Ludacris and Lil Wayne. Set up adjacent to the runway, the party itself resembled a faux music festival complete with bars, pop up McDonald’s, a 7-11 and installations featuring his adidas collab.
