• Intelligencer
  • The Cut
  • Vulture
  • The Strategist
  • Curbed
  • Grub Street
  • Subscribe to the Magazine Give a Gift Subscription Buy Back Issues Current Issue Contents
    Subscribe to New York Magazine
  • Subscribe
  • Profile
    Sign Out
The Cut
  • Style
  • Self
  • Culture
  • Power
Style
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Parties & Red Carpet
  • Fashion Shows
  • Cathy Horyn
  • The Cut Shop
Self
  • Health & Wellness
  • The State of the Uterus
  • Parenting
  • Advice
  • Sex & Relationships
  • Horoscopes
Culture
  • Books
  • Television
  • Movies
  • Music
  • Celebrity
Power
  • Politics
  • Work
  • Money
  • Rebecca Traister
More
  • Latest Stories
  • Video
  • About Us
  • nymag.com
  • New York Magazine
  • Intelligencer
  • Vulture
  • The Cut
  • The Strategist
  • Grub Street
  • Curbed
ins and outs
December 3, 2012

Yes He Can: How Wang Works Well for Balenciaga

Share

  • Share
  • Tweet
Photo: Imaxtree, Getty Images

With the official announcementof Wang at Balenciaga, those weeping at the prospect of stretchy bike shorts appearing on the Paris, PPR-owned runway can rest knowing, at the very least, that the appointment will usher in a new era for the hallowed fashion house. That’s a good thing — Balenciaga, at its core, has always been known for innovation and the decision, of course, was made to bring the brand into the mainstream.  Wang’s strongest asset is his clear cut vision, meant for a girl who is refined but edgy and a little tough, a look that’s already popular throughout Asia, an important and booming market for both Balenciaga and Wang’s own line.

But can Wang make Balenciaga commercially successful and as beautiful as Ghesquière? We think he can. We’ve sifted through every runway look of Wang’s career, looking for evidence of vision and technique that might serve him well at his new Paris studio. Despite being known for slouchy tees and leather shorts, Wang knows how to sculpt a bra-top and tailor a motorcycle jacket in a look that is his own. He’s created unusual, cool evening wear that women want to wear, and is unafraid of putting out something that’s completely different.

The best thing Wang has going for him is the ability to unite a million different garments and ideas under the same banner of “cool.” Every item he’s created, from runway to diffusion tees and small leather goods, are distinctly Wang; there’s no question who designed them. This will be especially beneficial at Balenciaga, where the commercial pieces available in stores have wandered, looking only distantly related to the runway creations. So, while Wang’s never really showed couture techniques or sculptural fashion, his consistency is impressive, especially for a young designer. His understanding and knack for innovative manufacturing, particularly with accessories and knits, will also prove useful.

Can Wang maintain his singular design vision through Balenciaga’s house, observing its past (even just a little bit) while designing for its future? He has a good shot. The rarified beauty, vivid colors, sculpted silk coats, capes, and dresses that Balenciaga is known for will benefit from the tough pavement aesthetic of Wang. And with access to those incredible archives of patterns, fabrics, the atelier, and high-quality craftsmen, Wang should create something surprising and iconic.

To see what that might look like, we’ve compared some of Wang’s own looks with classics from Balenciaga. You’ll see yourself that the young designer, despite all the criticism, may just be able to pull this off.

Related: See the Alexander Wang Spring 2013 Collection
See the Balenciaga Spring 2013 Collection

View
1 / 12 Photos
Wang's distinct aesthetic was made clear in his fall 2008 collection. Photo: Imaxtree
The boy knows his bias drape, which is helpful, as seen here at Alexander Wang resort 2010 and compared to Balenciaga winter 2009. Pho... The boy knows his bias drape, which is helpful, as seen here at Alexander Wang resort 2010 and compared to Balenciaga winter 2009. Photo: Courtesy of Alexander Wang Imaxtree
Wang also likes experimenting, creating strange details by manipulating fabric. See: Alexander Wang fall 2011 and a Balenciaga Wool Gabardin... Wang also likes experimenting, creating strange details by manipulating fabric. See: Alexander Wang fall 2011 and a Balenciaga Wool Gabardine silk taffeta coat from 1950. Photo: Imaxtree Getty Images
He knows what's wearable and cool, even as what's wearable and cool changes from Alexander Wang resort 2012 to Alexander Wang pre-fall 2011. Ph... He knows what's wearable and cool, even as what's wearable and cool changes from Alexander Wang resort 2012 to Alexander Wang pre-fall 2011. Photo: Imaxtree
He demonstrates a unique vision and is capable of an unprecedented look, which is what made the Alexander Wang spring 2013 collection so sur... He demonstrates a unique vision and is capable of an unprecedented look, which is what made the Alexander Wang spring 2013 collection so surprising. Photo: Imaxtree
He knows tailoring and can do a great motorcycle jacket (a staple of Balenciaga, thanks to Ghesquière) as seen at Alexander Wang fall 2011... He knows tailoring and can do a great motorcycle jacket (a staple of Balenciaga, thanks to Ghesquière) as seen at Alexander Wang fall 2011 and Alexander Wang fall 2009. Photo: Imaxtree
He can mold a bra like the best of them. (Alexander Wang fall 2007, Balenciaga spring 2013) Photo: Imaxtree
He does unusual classics well, like this Alexander Wang pre-fall 2009 look compared to a Balenciaga 1948 Wool Melton Dress. Photo: Courtesy... He does unusual classics well, like this Alexander Wang pre-fall 2009 look compared to a Balenciaga 1948 Wool Melton Dress. Photo: Courtesy of Alexander Wang, Getty Images
All of this talk about the slouchy tee aside, Wang isn't afraid of structured architectural silhouettes, reminiscent of this coat by Ghesquière... All of this talk about the slouchy tee aside, Wang isn't afraid of structured architectural silhouettes, reminiscent of this coat by Ghesquière: Alexander Wang fall 2012 next to Balenciaga fall 2008. Photo: Imaxtree
Wang was also on the same technique wavelength as Ghesquière for spring 2013. Both explored faggoting, the stitching technique that secures sep... Wang was also on the same technique wavelength as Ghesquière for spring 2013. Both explored faggoting, the stitching technique that secures separate pieces, creating that look of suspension.  Photo: Imaxtree
He's capable of creating eveningwear that women want to wear — a red carpet must, as seen at Alexander Wang fall 2010 and Alexander Wang fal... He's capable of creating eveningwear that women want to wear — a red carpet must, as seen at Alexander Wang fall 2010 and Alexander Wang fall 2012, compared to vintage Balenciaga from 1957. Photo: Imaxtree Getty Images
He has personality. Photo: OBY
1 / 12

Tags:

  • balenciaga
  • cristobal balenciaga
  • nicolas ghesquiere
  • alexander wang
  • ppr
  • wang
  • fashion
  • ins and outs
  • More

More Galleries

Jan. 10, 2023
All the Looks From the 2023 Golden Globes  Sheryl Lee Ralph, Jenna Ortega, Jessica Chastain, Julia Garner, Jeremy Allen White, Angela Bassett, and more. 
parties! Sept. 23, 2022
Katie Holmes, Chloë Sevigny, and More of the Bestest Party Pics This Week  Chanel, Mejuri, and more celebrate. 
parties! Sept. 16, 2022
Doja Cat, Lil Nas X, and More of the Bestest Party Pics This Week  Fendi, Frame, and Coach all celebrated NYFW. 
emmys 2022 Sept. 12, 2022
Emmys 2022: All the Red Carpet Looks  Updating: What Hollywood is wearing to the 2022 Primetime Emmy Awards. 
By Olivia Luppino
nyfw spring 2023 Sept. 9, 2022
Gigi Hadid, Chlöe Bailey, and More of the Bestest Party Pics of the Week  Saks Fifth Avenue, Longchamp, and more celebrate the beginning of NYFW. 
rip Sept. 9, 2022
The Queen Sure Did Love to Color-Coordinate  Monochrome for decades. 
red carpet Sept. 6, 2022
The Venice Film Festival Is a Major Fashion Event  Valentino and Gucci and Armani, oh my. 
red carpet June 5, 2022
All the Best Looks at the 2022 MTV Movie and TV Awards  Sydney Sweeney, Vanessa Hudgens, Jay Ellis, and more! 
parties! May 20, 2022
The Bestest Party Looks of the Week  Harry Styles > everyone! 
parties! May 13, 2022
The Bestest Party Looks of the Week  Bury me in Dove Cameron’s Saint Sintra skirt. 
parties! May 6, 2022
The Bestest Party Looks of the Week  Cue the Met Gala after-party FOMO. 
met gala 2022 May 2, 2022
Met Gala 2022: All the Looks [Photos]  Billie Eilish, Kim Kardashian, Michelle Yeoh, Hailey Bieber, Megan Thee Stallion, Cardi B, Blake Lively, and more. 
parties! Apr. 29, 2022
The Bestest Party Looks of the Week  This one goes to Olivia Rodrigo and her sweater vest. 
parties! Apr. 22, 2022
The Bestest Party Looks of the Week  “Fuck those Zoom tops.” 
celebrity style Apr. 18, 2022
The Best Looks From Coachella 2022  From Harry Styles’s sparkling Gucci set to Megan Thee Stallion’s metallic bodysuit. 
style Apr. 13, 2022
A Look Inside the New Museum’s Spring Gala  Featuring all the best looks. 
grammys 2022 Apr. 3, 2022
Grammy Awards 2022 Red Carpet: All the Looks  Lady Gaga, Olivia Rodrigo, Lenny Kravitz, Lil Nas X, Billie Eilish, and more. 
oscars 2022 Mar. 28, 2022
How Were The Oscars After Party Looks Better Than The Actual Award Looks?  Finally, some fun. 
oscars 2022 Mar. 27, 2022
All the Looks From the 2022 Oscars Red Carpet  Zendaya, Regina Hall, Timothée Chalamet, Andrew Garfield, Kristen Stewart, Ariana DeBose, and more. 
style Mar. 22, 2022
Bridgerton Season 2 Premiere: All the Red-Carpet Looks 
  • Style
  • Self
  • Culture
  • Power
  • About The Cut
  • About New York Magazine
  • Newsletters
  • Help
  • Contact
  • Press
  • Media Kit
  • We’re Hiring
  • Privacy
  • Terms
  • Ad Choices
  • Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information
  • Accessibility
The Cut is a Vox Media Network. © 2023 Vox Media, LLC. All rights reserved.