Skip to main content

Alexander Wang's Most Wanted: A Look Back at the Designer's Best Accessories

Pending an official announcement from Balenciaga next week, it seems all but certain that Alexander Wang will be taking over for Nicolas Ghesquière at the storied Parisian house. While the news still has some scratching their heads, one thing that does seem make sense about this pairing is what Wang could do for accessories at Balenciaga. Just take a look at his most succesful accessories from seasons past. You've seen them everywhere.

Pending an official announcement from Balenciaga next week, it seems all but certain that Alexander Wang will be taking over for Nicolas Ghesquière at the storied Parisian house. So now the question is: What will a Wang-helmed Balenciaga look like? His 90s-inspired, slouchy, downtown cool seems at odds with Balenciaga's codes of structure and silhouette.

But one thing that does seem to make sense about this pairing is what Wang could do for accessories at Balenciaga. Accessories can make or break a label. And Wang certainly has a gift for creating in-demand accessories.

WWD compared Wang's famous studded Rocco bag to Ghesquiere's Lariat bag--they're both super successful purses that continue to sell well and have been spotted on zillions of celebs and It-girls. It makes sense that Balenciaga would want to continue--and grow--the Lariat legacy with a designer who has a special prowess with accessories.

Scroll to Continue

Recommended Articles

Wang's first runway show was for his spring 2007 collection. For fall 2008 he showed his first bags, then shoes came in spring 2008. The rest is street style and wait list history.

We've gathered up Wang's buzziest and most memorable accessories from his short but so far pretty darn illustrious career. Take a stomp down memory lane with us. We're dusting off our Freja booties for the occasion.

Runway photos: Style.com

Related Stories

Style

Logomania at Alexander Wang

Last season, Alexander Wang showed his eponymous collection mere weeks before he was due to make his much-buzzed-about Balenciaga debut. The posh collection was somewhat of a departure for him, and many reviewers noticed it was more than liberally sprinkled with Balenciaga references. But Wang's Spring 2014 collection, which he showed yesterday at his usual venue at Pier 94, was pure Alexander Wang. It was one of the strongest and, indeed, most Alexander Wang-y, collections he's shown in many seasons.

By Cheryl WischhoverApr 5, 2014
Style

Alexander Wang Designed His Fall Accessories for Girls Who Party Hard

In a cute video for The Savannah College of Art and Design, Wang explains some specific scenarios in which his functional accessories should prove especially useful.

By Alyssa Vingan KleinApr 11, 2014
Style

Alexander Wang's Touchdown Dance: A Retrospective

May we present to you, Alexander Wang: Lord of the Dance. From 2007 until now. We do hope Wang brings his finale dance with him to Paris.

By Nora CrottyApr 10, 2014
Style

Don't Expect Alexander Wang to Make Too Many Changes at Balenciaga

Now that we know who is going to take the reins at Balenciaga (it's Alexander Wang, in case you've been living under a rock), the next question on everyone's minds is: What will change under the new designer? Well, according to the CEO of Balenciaga's parent company PPR, François-Henri Pinault, not a whole lot.

By Hayley PhelanApr 10, 2014