Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No it’s Alexander Wang’s shop.

Oh what’s this? Another ultra modern / abstract art gallery in the middle of New York? No it’s only Alexander Wang’s bloody flagship store! Who even cares about his clothes any more when he does shops like this!

No, I do still care about his clothes.

There hasn’t been that much that’s jumped out at me from the New York shows, so instead I thought I’d blog about something that really has caught my eye…  LOOK AT IT.

Oh what's that? Just a FOX FUR HAMMOCK in the centre of the store (actually for customers to make use of)

And that? Oh just a big cage (for special installations / product collaborations)

I am total a sucker for this kind of thing, I love anything experiential, but shops have got to be my favourite because imagine something as banal as a shop, which has, for so long, existed purely for practical reasons. Whether it sells luxury goods or groceries, a shop is still just a place that houses the goods people want / need to buy. It has always been the items that are important, the importance of the building in which they sit, extends merely to the fact that it provides a convenient space for them to be displayed / sheltered / kept safe. For shop interiors to now have as much allure and excitement as the clothes themselves I think is brilliant! It makes shopping that much more exciting! I’m hoping in the future more high street stores will cotton on to this, imagine how much more amazing (if it’s possible) the Topshop flagship store could be with a theme or with an interactive element…

Wang does Wall Street

Alexander Wang Fall 2010

I’ve been getting bored of femininity of late. Ditsy print tea dresses are nice and all but they’re too easy. You can pop one over your head, slip on some pumps and you’re away – fashionable without even trying. I want a fashion challenge! 

So I was over the moon when Alexander Wang came to us with luxe sportswear and I was totally ready to ditch the ditz. Just when you thought ill fitting t-shirts and nylon jackets were street urchin apparel, Wang went and made sporty, stylish. Shame he wasn’t around in the late 90s to bump up Mel C’s ratings. (Don’t worry Mel, you were always my favourite). 

So tapping my trainer-heel clad foot, I have been anxiously anticipating his next collection. Fall 2010 brings you the banker’s suit, with a twist. These suits have been ‘deconstructed’, literally snipped up to create something a little less stock exchange and a little more sexy. Jackets have been cropped or have had velvet or chenille worked into them, but my personal favourites are the pinstrip slip dresses complete with lace trim. Ohhhh I want one so badly. 

                                                  

And what’s so great is that 11 years after the film came out, Wang, with his big old gothic trench coats, sunglasses and chunky heeled boots, has made Matrix-chic acceptable!  Yesss finally it’s ok to run around with pistols for hands and Rage Against The Machine playing in the background, repeating ‘Misturr Aanderson’ …..

Essentially though this collection oozes sex appeal. After the light and funky S/S, Wang clearly wanted to prove that there is another side to him. Models in thigh high leg warmers and pleated pinstripe skirts scream naughty school girl, and then there’s the slashed leather, trailing chiffon and bondage-style straps across the chest…. Excellent, I was looking for a new look for the office. It’s inspired by Wall Street after all…