1st Chinese designer at Milan blends femininity and power
Print Edition
Fashion designer Wang Peiyi is the first Chinese designer from the mainland to present his collection at Milan Fashion Week.
His aim in design is to perfectly combine femininity and power, creating fashion for independent-minded women.
Wang has not used traditional Chinese elements so far, saying they are generally reduced by designers to “details,” not the essential Chinese spirit.
He wants to be known as a fashion designer on the international stage, not a designer from China.
Wang, whose brand is Alex Wang, made his debut in the closing event of Milan Fashion Week in February.
Beijing-based Wang won the second annual Merecedes-Benz China Young Fashion Award in 2012. He founded his brand in 2004 and aims for elegant style.
Wang spoke to Shanghai Daily at the Marie Claire Annual event Style China recently in Shanghai.
Q: What was it like to be the first mainland designer to show at Milan Fashion Week?
A: It’s a milestone for me to have a show on the international stage as a Chinese. There was happiness and excitement at the good news, but I also prepared intensively. I felt a little desperate at first in Milan, maybe because I was too sensitive and their attitude hurt me to some extent. The most common thing I heard from Italian coworkers was “Please trust me.” It seemed that I knew nothing, but fortunately the result was good, the show was successful and there was a lot of applause.
We have to accept the fact that Italians have reason to be proud and strong in the fashion industry. I hope they treat me not merely as “a designer from China.” I am a fashion designer, a new face at the international runway, but not labeled with only where I am from. Of course, I hope my design can be recognized by the world.
Q: Is there a big gap between Chinese domestic design and the international fashion industry?
A: Very large, it’s hard to say how large. Progress depends on the whole Chinese fashion industry, not some designers or some media.
Q: Please describe your show in Milan?
A: Before the Fashion Week invited me, they knew all of my designs. The week features ready-to-wear and they thought most of my styles were too “red carpet.” I made some adjustments and added some ready-to-wear. But evening gowns are my favorites and my best. So I retained them. Finally, 35 looks were presented in the show, after struggling with the Italian stylist from the Fashion Week.
The whole series featured “Contradictor lights,” with elements of crystal, metal, bling and black as usual. Black is always my favorite and the whole series maintained my style of black with some dark blue and dark purple.
Q: How do you define your style?
A: Over many years the media has never stopped defining my style — feminized, bling, bling and so on. In my opinion, whether red carpet or ready-to-wear, I hope to present the perfect combination of femininity and power — a pure powerful image with independent attitudes toward life.
On the other hand, practicality is very important. I don’t want my dresses to become art. I want them to be worn.
Q: What are your plans?
A: I am communicating with the Milan Fashion Week to see if I can go there again in September. I will insist on my design style and I believe it will go more smoothly after the first time.
Q: You went to Guizhou Province with Marie Claire to explore the authentic ethnic culture and crafts such as embroidery. Will you use this traditional Chinese element in future designs?
A: It’s hard to say. I have never used any so-called Chinese traditional elements in my previous designs. I am not deliberately avoiding them. I just feel it’s really hard to use those elements perfectly, so I haven’t dared to touch them so far. Frankly, most designers who use Chinese elements are using the details, but to me, Chinese traditional elements represent a spirit.
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