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About The Asian reporter. (Portland, Or.) 1991-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 19, 2016)
U.S.A. September 19, 2016 THE ASIAN REPORTER n Page 7 Alexander Wang partners with adidas Original on new line By Jocelyn Noveck The Associated Press EW YORK — Designer Alexander Wang is, by his own description, a total sneakerhead. He once even designed a whole clothing collection around them, with dresses, tops, and handbags emulating his favorite sneaks, like the classic white-and-green adidas Stan Smith. Now, Wang has taken his sneaker love to a new level, partnering with adidas for a line of apparel and footwear that seeks, in his words, to “disrupt” the famous adidas look while still preserving its familiarity. One example: rotating the well-known trefoil logo upside down. Another: “deconstructing” the adidas sneaker. Also, the entire collection is unisex: Pants, tops, shoes. Wang introduced the new line as a surprise finale to his Fashion Week runway show, in a huge space on a Hudson River pier. After modelling creations from Wang’s own label, models rushed backstage to change into new adidas garb, while a one-and-a-half minute film teased the new collection. Then they marched onto the runway, more than 70 of them, all clad in black, as the crowd — which included Madonna and Nicki Minaj — craned their necks and snapped endless photos. It was, Wang said, “the biggest show we’ve ever done.” In designing the new line, the key challenge was to change up the adidas look so it feels fresh — but not to the point that it’s unrecognizable, Wang said in an interview. “It was really about saying, how do we take something and shake it up a little, disrupt it, but at the same time not change it so much where it doesn’t feel right.” The 32-year-old designer is recognized as one of the most talented and busiest of his generation. He launched his own, eponymous label 11 years ago, at age 21. Last year, he ended a prestigious three-year stint as creative director at Balenciaga, a job that had him splitting his time between Paris and New York. Since then, he’s been N back fulltime at his own label, where he focuses heavily on streetwear — and is a favorite of the celebrity set. As for adidas, it clearly wanted to capitalize on Wang’s edgy and youthful vibe. “I’ve been a fan for a long time, this connection he has with culture and New York and breaking down boundaries,” said Nic Galway, vice president of design for adidas Originals, who began exploring a partnership with Wang the day after attending the designer’s 10th anniver- sary runway show last September. “What I really love about Alex is that he is a really established part of the fashion world, but he stands for not being elitist,” Galway said in an interview. “He lets people in.” For Wang, it was a chance to work with a brand he often wore as a child, and especially to work with sneakers. “I grew up on sneakers,” he said. “It’s a very interesting DARING DESIGNER. Designer Alexander Wang, center right, and adidas creative director Nic Galway, center left, pose with models after the “adidas Originals by Alexander Wang” collection was featured at Fashion Week in New York. Wang has taken his love of sneakers to a new level, partnering with adidas for a line of apparel and footwear that seeks, in his words, to “disrupt” the famous adidas look while still preserving its famil- iarity. (AP Photo/Diane Bondareff) time obviously for (all) sportswear, the whole market and how people utilize fitness, incorporate it into their daily uniform. So the sneaker is something that I’ve always been very close to. And it’s always been something that’s very hard for us to do in house, to be honest — obviously adidas has the most innovative resources.” Wang also showed his own label’s spring collection, and it was a marked contrast to the all-black adidas garb: Colorful, whimsical warm-weather clothes that would have been just right for the beach. The designer said backstage that he was going for a “liberating, free, surfer attitude and sensibility. Everything was put through the lens of water sports.” “I’m from California,” he added. “I love the beach; there’s such a kind of laid-back attitude and sensibility that I really wanted to bring into this collection.” Wang’s afterparties are as famous as his shows. As guests left the runway, they walked into a cavernous space filled with colorful trucks, some dispensing snacks, Slurpees, or stronger beverages. Partiers could take a can of spray paint and decorate a van, if they chose. The adidas collaboration — first available via popup trucks at three stops in New York City — is yet another effort by Wang to keep moving forward in an industry that is fast changing. All the recent upheaval in the fashion industry — including a slew of recent departures of designers at top labels — keeps him on his toes, he said. “In the past, I was used to thinking very long term and big picture,” he said. “But now there has to be a different way of thinking and approaching certain subjects. You have to think faster, roll with the punches. I always want to look forward ... especially in today’s world.” Immigrant rights group sues on behalf of some seeking asylum SEATTLE (AP) — An immigrant rights organization is suing on behalf of more than 80 detainees at the Northwest Detention Center in Tacoma, saying they’ve been improperly denied bail hearings pending determinations on whether they should be granted asylum. According to the lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court by the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project, the detainees have previously been removed from the U.S. but then re-entered. They’ve been subsequently detained again, but have argued that they fear persecution in their home countries, and asylum officers have already determined they have demonstrated a reasonable fear of persecution or torture if they return. Nevertheless, the organization says most are being forced to remain in custody for months or longer without hearings to determine if they should be released on bail. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforce- ment did not immediately return an e-mail seeking comment. New Owners TALKING STORY IN ASIAN AMERICA Newly remodeled All new equipment. Belmont Eco Laundry has large capacity washers and dryers, perfect for those comforters, sleeping bags, big family loads, work clothes, and more! You’ll get your laundry done in record time, leaving you time to spend with family and friends. Visit us at Belmontecolaundry.com for more details. 4725 SE Belmont St. n Polo Polo’s “Talking Story” column will return soon. Open daily 8 to 10 How to identify a possible gas leak. If you smell ROTTEN EGGS it could be a gas leak. And the best thing to do is leave your home and call NW Natural. We’ll be out to make sure everything is safe. Unsure of what to do? Just take a look at our tips to the right. Smell. 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