December 14, 2005

Alexander the Great

Alexander Wang Clothing

We all suffer to look sexy. The Ugly Stepsisters rocked heels two sizes too small to score a prince. (Oh, like you wouldn’t.) Scarlett O’Hara whittled her waist down to eighteen inches to feel pretty. Even you don sadistically high stilettos to make your legs look skinny.

Well, uncinch your YSL belt and breathe easy. Alexander Wang is making sexy simple.

Growing up in a family full of girls taught young Wang more than a degree from Parsons ever could. So after two years at the style school, he took his show on the road, making pit stops at Marc Jacobs and Derek Lam. Lucky for us, it paid off.

Wrap yourself in the warming embrace of his delicious cashmere confections. Delicate yet prim, his grandpa cardigans work the boyish vamp of Annie Hall. Subtly seductive, his henleys channel Ali MacGraw circa Love Story. But there’s nothing vintage about his two-ply cashmere scoop-neck baby doll dress or his Intarsia series of sweaters, tattooed with icons of modern femmes.

In fact, Wang’s work may just forecast the future of sexy: comfy.

And that is something we will suffer gladly.

Available at Rileyjames, 3027 Fillmore Street, between Filbert and Union Streets (415-775-7956); Dylan, 1506 Vallejo Street, at Polk Street (415-931-8721). To see styles, go to alexanderwang.com.