Alexander Wang: A Designer Who Believes He Will Surely Become a True Entrepreneur

On September 26th, Taikoo Li Sanlitun Beijing belonged to Alexander Wang. The northern section boasted a freshly revamped alexanderwang flagship store, where staff readied champagne and treats for guests. In contrast, the south saw the launch of Alexander Wang's debut fashion retrospective in China, named "Edge: exploring the Worlds of alexanderwang". The exhibit shimmered with cubes radiating a metallic sheen, attracting a chic crowd, with onlookers gathering in multitudes.

 

The ever-svelte Alexander Wang, with his signature long black hair, was a whirlwind of activity, greeting guests, posing for photographs, and passionately discussing his designs. His poised and assured presence was reminiscent of the young designer who burst onto the scene eighteen years prior.

 

"Being in Beijing feels like coming home," he confided to ConCall.

 

 

Over a decade ago, alexanderwang planted its flagship store in the heart of Taikoo Li Sanlitun Beijing. Even prior to this, Alexander Wang's intrinsic connection to his Chinese heritage had made him a standout in the "Asia Wave", cementing him as a household name among China's fashion aficionados. To many in China, he's always been viewed as one of their own, affectionately dubbed "Da Wang".

 

China's fervor for Wang has consistently manifested in tangible ways. Favorites like the Kori boots, Rocco handbag, Marti backpack have soared in popularity. The diamond-encrusted "Wang" logo has also been one of the most effective viral triggers on social media platforms.

 

Given this backdrop, when Wang adopted a more subdued approach in recent years, the buzz of anticipation and curiosity only grew. Thankfully, the rejuvenation of his flagship store and the unveiling of his retrospective once again brought him back to Beijing, a place he has been away from for a long time.

 

 

 

 

 

The term "edge" evokes notions of "rigidity" and "sharpness". Through ConCall's lens, it embodies Alexander Wang's unyielding spirit, his drive for resurgence, and an unwavering belief in his prowess. Kicking off with the retrospective, ConCall dove into a heartfelt yet analytical conversation with Alexander Wang.

 

ConCall: Why did these pieces earn a spot in your Beijing debut? What narrative are you aiming to convey?

 

Alexander Wang: Beijing holds a pivotal role in our narrative. It serves as the linchpin connecting the dual cultures encapsulated within the alexanderwang identity. Thus, it felt only natural for our inaugural exhibition to unfold here.

 

Charting a journey from our nascent collections, through bespoke Met Gala ensembles, to our latest autumnal releases, this 18-year retrospective unfurls a tapestry of stories and landmark moments. It's a visual chronicle of our relentless pursuit of innovation and evolution.

 

Edge embodies alexanderwang’s daring, energetic, and unconventional pillars and how we challenge conformity in luxury.

 

 

ConCall: From meeting and talking with Chinese media, guests and consumers on the opening day, to the local experience in China, what are your goals?

 

Alexander Wang: This has been an exhilarating year for us and, with the new Sanlitun flagship store renovation, it has been the perfect opportunity to introduce the core of who we are, what we’re about, and where we are going. Through the process of debuting our first-ever exhibit in Beijing, the best part has been connecting with our customer base and building stronger bridges between our shared roots.

 

ConCall: Everyone had gone through a lot in the past three years, which led to a significant change in almost every aspect of our lives from our mind to our lives. Fashion designers are amongst those who are most sensitive to the changing times and to their own personal growth. So, we would like to know what your changes have been.

 

Alexander Wang: These past few years have given myself and the brand, an opportunity to look at who we are, what we do well, and what we can do differently. This extends into how we can better listen to customers and how we are speaking to them.

 

Whether it’s the relaunch of our Men’s collection, or in Resort 2024 where we have really explored reimagining classic pieces with a nuanced perspective - or even the Roc bag, a new interpretation of the Rocco—many of our design challenges have been about reinvention and innovation.

 

 

ConCall: As a creator who also managing an independent fashion brand, would you consider yourself a seasoned entrepreneur now?

 

Alexander Wang: I’m constantly growing and learning, and I see myself as eventually becoming an entrepreneur – even 18 years later. The way I think about the brand, our business, and my creative process are all crucial parts for how I challenge myself and my team.

 

Since starting my brand, I’ve learned that whether it’s a store opening, a new collection launch, or even a new fabrication you’re working with, you’ll never know enough—and that keeps me going—the energy of being on the edge of the new and unexpected.

 

ConCall: Recently, there has been news of popular brands having IPO, and ConCall is observing whether this will ignite investor enthusiasm for medium-sized fashion brands. We are curious to know your thoughts on this. Will alexanderwang have a plan for the IPO?

 

Alexander Wang: Currently, plans for an IPO aren’t the focus of the business right now. From the launch of the edge exhibit, store openings in Toronto and Miami, and our Resort 2024 campaign featuring the Roc back and a new A-list partnership I can’t reveal yet, it’s been an exciting year for the brand. We’ve also debuted a Kid’s line and re-launched our Men’s collection. For now, it’s about expanding and connecting with our customers while evolving the brand into its next chapter.

 

ConCall: Are you familiar with the various "X-CORE" aesthetic trends that have been emerging in the Chinese market? As a fashion designer and trendsetter closely connected to China, how do you perceive this situation? What is the current "core" of alexanderwang?

 

Alexander Wang: Right now, there are so many core trends and it's inspiring to see as a designer how they all unfold. Staying connected to all forms of culture is elemental to who we are, but it needs to feel right for the brand. We’re not necessarily focused on one ‘core’ trend; we like to pull from many different themes and see how we can reinterpret them with our spin.

 

ConCall: After several marketing campaigns that garnered significant social buzz in 2022 (Meizi Si & Xiaoqing Liang), we haven't heard this type of big movements from alexanderwang lately. When and how does alexanderwang plan to regain the spotlight?

 

Alexander Wang: We’re about to launch our Resort 2024 collection, which we’re very excited about. For next year, we have something big planned--I can’t disclose too much right now, but all I can say for now is: think Vegas.

 

 

ConCall: Fashion is a fast-moving industry with its own business rules. Young designers who are just starting out in this industry are often faced with various pressures and confusions. In your opinion, is there a balance between business and style of design? Is there anything you would like to share with young designers with fashion dreams?

 

Alexander Wang: There is always an opportunity to find a balance between style and design. The creative process is always ongoing--a constant revaluation of how to improve a piece—looking back to drive it forward. Looking at the current fashion landscape is so important to connect the dots and how to represent your brand to customers and your peers. You're on the right path once you've started working through all that. But overall, I think good design can always look new, depending on how you contextualize it.

 

For aspiring designers, I would challenge them with the same question I ask my team—how can you use your creativity to make business decisions?

 

ConCall: What message would you like to convey to them through the ConCall platform?

 

Alexander Wang: We’re excited to connect with everyone near and far. Whether you’re in the industry or just enthusiastic about fashion, alexanderwang is about energy—an endless drive and curiosity. We’re excited to build upon a global community with our shared roots.

 

I highly encourage you to see the “Edge: exploring the world of alexanderwang” in Beijing at Taikoo Li Sanlitun South Plaza, open through October 25th, and definitely stop by our flagship store.