To industry insiders, Alexander Wang’s story is a familiar one: A former Teen Vogue and Marc Jacobs intern who launched a high-low cashmere line—a glossier version of indie sleeze—at the age of 21, Wang was one of the biggest stars among a set of young American designers poised for global dominance. Other brands coming up at this time included Proenza Schouler, Rodarte, Thakoon, Band of Outsiders, but there were so many more. Most no longer exist.
Wang was different in that he scaled up fast across a bunch of categories, from high-margin shoes and accessories (studded handbags, teetering heels) to actual clothes (blazers to wear while clubbing) and basics, too (a t-shirt line with intentionally stretched-out collars, the requisite skinny jeans). His collection was synonymous with the Model Off Duty look, and also with what the models were presumably doing off-duty, too: partying.
