Written by Charlytte Alexandra
Photos by Crosby Ignasher
Audience await the Alexander Wang and Domenico De Sole Interview at Trustees Theater.
If you thought last year’s line awaiting style icon and designer Betsey Johnson was hectic, Alexander Wang in conversation with Domenico De Sole beckoned even more eager eyes and ears. SCAD founder Paula Wallace gave a short introduction before the fashion icons took the stage.
To start the night off, Domenico De Sole asked Wang how he got started, his dreams and who supported him along the way.
Wang confessed his nerves might get the best of him, but the show of emotion only made him seem more human. He went on to say he didn’t have any family background in fashion, but found an innate passion for it by looking at fashion magazines while at the hair salon or out shopping with his mom. His mom instilled in him a strong work ethic.
De Sole (left) and Wang (right) discuss branding
During high school, he attended a pre-college summer program at Otis College in Los Angeles, but the big question was why he dropped out of Parsons School of Fashion. He said he hates being bored and didn’t feel challenged enough, so he began interning for Marc Jacobs, then Teen Vogue. But his “ah-ha” moment was when he landed an internship at Vogue and then spent a year at Derek Lam.
Seeing the nervous look on Domenico’s face, he paused and said he was a special example of a successful dropout. To the audience, he said, “Stay in school!”
Q: What went behind your 2005 knitwear collection?
A: I did not want my brand to be defined by price point, but still wanted the accessibility, design integrity, exciting quality and unisex aspect. My intention was a lifestyle brand. I wanted something that my friends connected to; that they bought and would wear on the weekends.
Q: What is your view on International Expansion?
A: My mom is from Shanghai, so I knew that I wanted my second store to be in Asia. It is an exciting place and retail is up and coming. Europeans would buy collections. This was different—progressive and advanced and I wanted to be apart of it.
Domenica De Sole engaged in conversation for SCAD Style.
Q: What is your opinion on the role of social media and advertising?
A: I barely know how to construct an email, so personality of my brand is important to me. I used MADtv sensation Bon Qui Qui for one of my fashion videos to create a connection with my audience that understood my humor.
Q: Who are your idols? (The crowd hushed at this question.)
A: I love people who have individual, unexpected point of views. Designers like Ralph Lauren who can tell an interesting and easily recognizable story.
Q: Tell us about your new experience at Balenciaga.
A: This is a brand who has so much historical reference and background. They took me down to the crystal balls archive before the news was announced and turned off all the security cameras and I thought I was breaking into a bank. They brought a new approach and I was inspired. I had three days to consider. I couldn’t leave New York and I wasn’t willing to compromise my brand, so we met in the middle.
Q: How does it feel to move to a larger brand?
A: I took the job because it was a big growth opportunity. It would expose me to new ideas even if I only work there for a year. I am so used to this fast pace lifestyle now. I’ve already learned how to improve my delegating skills.
Q: H&M?
A: I am not good at saying “No!” I wanted to do it differently; something H&M customers have never seen before. It is too early to give out details, but it will be released November 6, 2014.
Wang wrapped up by saying he finds his inspiration in mistakes and through the process of figuring things out. He said he has the biggest dreams, but knows when to push certain ones and when to hold back. He recommended having a backup plan and applying to endless amounts of internships.