Rihanna front row as Wang urban cool marvels New York
There were none of the delicate colors that have characterised lesser catwalks this week
New York: Alexander Wang proved himself one of the biggest innovators in New York fashion Saturday with a fast tempo, uber-cool catwalk show that won personal praise from style icon Rihanna.
Wang's 2015 spring/summer collection for his eponymous label saw impeccable tailoring brought up to the minute with leather, string meshing and rubber to refine the urban, androgenous look for which he is famous.
There were none of the delicate colors that have characterised lesser catwalks this week, instead the 30-year-old whiz kid indulged his love of black, pairing it with white, orange, green, blue, yellow or pink.
Monochrome looks of black and white -- tight trousers with sharp creases, tasseled mini skirts and string tops -- were enlivened by innovative heeled shoes in blue and pink providing a splash of color.
"The shoes killed it. I'm so proud of you," gushed an enthusiastic and clearly delighted-looking Rihanna as she embraced Wang backstage after the show. "Thank you so much. Congratulations," the Barbadian pop star said before being whisked away as Wang was mobbed more fans, other celebrities and fashionistas.
There were leather crop tops, a beige rubber mini dress that resembled the tread of a car tire, and a leather and mesh biker jacket, then grey suiting. Textures were enlivened by tops encrusted with beads on the front or string-strapped crop tops fashioned from coiled thread.
Models belted down the runway, hair scrapped back and faces, to high-tempo techno music met by raptuous applause and cat calls.
Wang, who dropped out of design school to set up his own label, is one of the most successful American designers of his generation.
Since 2012, he has also been creative director of Balenciaga, the first American in more than 10 years to run a old-school French couture house, and in November a collection for retailers H and M is due to hit stores.