Alexander Wang’s usual modernist aesthetic was predominant in his Spring/Summer 2013 Collection. His deft command of stripped down urban street style with an urgent attitude was re-imagined through graphically, bold styles that were boiled down to the raw essentials. Geometric-cut panels were precariously suspended by invisible nylon threads that appeared to float on the body. “I wanted to start dissecting the pieces,” said Wang. “So we played with the idea of suspension and tension through embroidery techniques.”
The androgynous men’s style shirts and tunics floated on the models narrow shoulders, and the volume enveloped them creating an athletic futuristic form. Woven T-shirts made from heavy cottons, with double sleeves, and rounded dropped shoulders, had a borrowed from the boys appeal. The more casual looks had the feel of finely tailored men’s jackets and shirts, complete with collar and lapels detached and re-adhered piecemeal. Bermuda style shorts were paired with a light weight rubberized twill parka or layered under a white shirt and an abbreviated, shiny black leather jackets.
Monochromatic shades of black and white with hints of hospital gauze beige, and silver, stayed true to his sterile minimalist color palette. Karung snakeskin, croc-embroidered garments with the look of embossed crocodile leather and thick, knee-high banded leather boots, along with knit tops that wrapped around the body in a serpentine fashion had a seductive exotic appeal.
A series of knee length dresses with plunging necklines and precise laser-cut panels, with great canyons of skin showing through vertically carved slits traveling from the upper body along the sides of the dresses to the bottom of the skirt. The tetris-like placement of cotton panels were carefully positioned to offer a level of controlled modesty, although wearing underwear was simply out of the question.
Jackets held together with fine cords were architectural in appearance and referenced the work of Courreges and Pierre Cardin from the 60s. A caban coat in a reticular knit worn with a peekaboo paneled dress, and silver leather shirts and jackets accessorized with black polished helmets were paired with leather Bermuda shorts with laser cut panels that were whip stitched together by translucent nylon threads.
The finale, a parade of nine stark white ensembles was displayed on a select group of blond amazonian models. As the lights fell, the clothing was illuminated in an electric neon glow. The marvelous glow-in-the dark feature is one that nobody expected, and the audience was left marveling as the finale proceeded.
