Pre-Fall 09 with Alexander Wang & Proenza Schouler

As our final weeks of summer disappear we look to the international scene for a glimpse of what is striding down the runway for Pre-Fall 09 as we prepare to head into the cold.  What we found were a couple of very wearable collections from some of the new kids on the block…

Alexander Wang was intent on “bringing sexy back” sexy that is, in an Alexander Wang kind of way.  The Fashion Fund winner threw together a more grown up look with a thigh grazing scarlet velvet tuxedo jacket, a one-sleeved coral draped cocktail dress and a black crepe wide legged pant.

There were still glimpses of Wang’s sporting past with black jersey drawstring shorts and midriff scraping grey marle sweat tops.  And of course the rock n roll girl was not forgotten with a masculine leather vest, body-con dresses, black mesh bra’s tailored with elongated tuxedo jackets and a sexy long sleeved mini dress in both black and ivory.  The collection is subtle, the silhouette far softer and more feminine than we have seen from Wang previously, perhaps his days of grunge are long gone.



The Proenza Schouler Pre-Fall 09 took a step back from the level of fantasy normally seen on their runway’s with the boys opting for a more “real” approach.  The emphasis was placed on creating a range which is what team Proenza (Lazaro Hernandez and Jack McCullough) would want to wear if only they had girl bits. This included sequined t-shirts with industrial zips up the back, skinny stretch cord pants and jersey blazers with a cardigan-esque ease.

Shrunken tailored jackets were layered over slouchy knits and short full skirts, sculpted shift dresses were hidden beneath double breasted woolen cocoon shaped coats and who doesn’t want a full skirted lilac leather party dress?? I also particularly liked the Amelia Earhart inspired leather coat.  All in all a very “real” collection… for all the cool girls.