Rihanna funky as Wang's urban cool wows 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.
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.
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.
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.
Gurung's Himalayan high
Another Saturday highlight saw Nepalese designer to the A-list Prabal Gurung unveil a Himalayan-themed spring/summer collection paired with an inaugural shoe collection inspired by women artists.
Spectators who sweltered in the hot, cavernous Moynihan Station, were transported by a fast-paced, intense collection billed as "the juxtaposition of traditional Nepalese dressing and androgynous American sportswear."
It was the designer's second consecutive runway show inspired by a trek to Mustang, a plateau on the Chinese border where his mother's ancestors come from, and comes with him just weeks away from launching a new make-up brand.
Micro-shorts, skirts, asymmetrical dresses and organza blouses showcased Gurung's signature ruffles, hand embroidery, layers and different textures -- skirts draped with chiffon and dresses spliced with graphic details.
There was ample use of flocked satin, raw bleached denim, organza made into wrap blouses and then cloque jacquard, which looked a bit like subtle quilting and which Gurung said was a nod to the mountains.
Outfits incapsulated a fresh, dreamy exoticism trimmed with leather, ostrich features, ruffles and backs were cut out under and around the shoulders.
For evening, Gurung created billowing, two-tone chiffon skirts with a stripe of color down the back and bodices encrusted Swarvoski crystals, finished with over-sized waistcoats to provide a modern flourish.
The designer's first shoe line complimented the clothes, each named after 20th century artists: Britain's Tracy Emin, Zaha Hadid and Cecily Brown; Americans Georgia O'Keeffe and Cindy Sherman, and Mexican painter Frida Kahlo.
Stilletos had textural and color-blocked details with graphic straps and rhodium-plated hardware buckles and technical nylon belts.
The award-winning creator is a favorite of style queen Anna Wintour, the English editor-in-chief of Vogue and attended her son's recent society wedding.
Gurung has dressed some of the world's most desirable women including Michelle Obama and the Duchess of Cambridge. "Mad Men" star January Jones wore Prabal Gurung to this year's Emmys.