Amongst the many nautical inspired Resort 2015 collections that have made their unique appearances on the runways, Alexander Wang’s Balenciaga joined in the fun – but, of course, Wang was all about that unexpected perspective. Perspective? Indeed. Balenciaga’s return to the sea and contemplating on modern sailboats were not his initial muse, – “At the beginning, it was about the idea of architectural forms and symmetry, the 360-degree view,” he explained backstage. The fusion of modern sailboats in all its ropes-and-rubber glory with an asymmetrical fluidity is a natural balance on a Balenciaga-á-la-Wang sailing trip that will erase all thoughts of nausea.
Wang’s sailing notions began in all sorts of 360-degree perspectives, attempting to balance the asymmetrical elements of transitional couturier and fluttering hemlines down the backs of urban basics. All the while nautical, Wang used little to no navy shades but had invested in jet-ink blacks, seen on the beautiful A-line leather coat bonded to jersey. Wang also instilled rugged utilitarianism outerwear in Balenciaga, to bestow the “youthful essence” that he desired to the line – a classic Alexander Wang, like the two-toned leather trench coats and fisherman’s coats fusing PVC with silk chiffon. To add that asymmetrical balance, he had infused silk shirts with asymmetrical hemlines and breaking away from the body scarf details. There was also the supersleek polished line of shorts and microminis, a à-la-mode fashion rise this season. Accessories-wise, there were clutches in silk fishnet sacks, silver seashell necklaces and bracelets and the unforgettable galoshes in colorful python insoles.
With the series of draped tops and jackets styled that stretched a far beyond youthful perspective to Balenciaga, the collective rugged outerwear were able to catch a fresh Wang breeze – and so did the audience. Though slightly subtle for an Alexander Wang collection, it was still a fresh new bearing for Balenciaga’s heritage. (Text Nadilla Sari Ratman)