At just 31, Alexander Wang is already a global force in the fashion industry, with his eponymous brand making waves worldwide. Known for his minimalist aesthetic, Wang’s designs revolve around monochromatic palettes, blending simplicity with sharp, bold cuts. His brand, along with the T by Alexander Wang sub-label, is now sold in over 700 stores across the globe.
Wang recently stepped down from his role as Creative Director at Balenciaga, a position he held since 2012. It’s safe to say Balenciaga will face a tough challenge finding a replacement with the same mix of talent, vision, and creativity.
Today, let's dive into a typical workday for Wang, as he shared in Harper's Bazaar, to get a peek at the fast-paced world of one of fashion’s top designers.
7:30 AM: I wake up to my phone’s alarm - an obnoxiously loud one. I’m not a morning person at all, so waking up is a battle. Barely conscious, I start scrolling through a mountain of messages and emails, many from Paris.
8:30 AM: The morning routine begins with Cle' de Peau face wash, RéVive moisturizer, brushing my teeth, and getting dressed. My wardrobe is like a uniform - black jeans, black tees, oversized hoodies, and sweaters. I have around 50 pairs of black jeans and an endless supply of black tops. It reminds me of that scene in American Psycho where Patrick Bateman’s wardrobe is color-coded, and honestly, I kind of love that. Sneakers are another obsession of mine - I own about 40 pairs, all in just three styles, mostly black. I even get the leather re-dyed monthly to keep them fresh.
9:00 AM: Punctuality is important to me, so I make it a point to arrive on time. Breakfast is typically oatmeal and fresh juice at the office. I don’t drink coffee - I’ve got to stay healthy to keep up with the demands of the job, and getting sick isn’t an option. With around 300 emails coming in daily, it’s tough to keep up. Oh, and I’m not a fan of talking on the phone. I prefer face-to-face conversations unless it’s something urgent.
12:00 PM: Lunch at my desk. I’m hooked on tuna sushi from TriBeCa or grilled salmon rice, but I’ve also developed a taste for all the veggies I used to hate as a kid - broccoli and tomatoes are now staples. My fridge is stocked with Fiji water, fruit juices, and an array of drinks. On a typical day, I’ll go through six different beverages, from fruit juice to iced tea to smoothies. My guilty pleasures? Chocolate milk and root beer.
1:00 PM: If it’s a fragrance testing day, I’ll head off to sample different scents - sometimes up to 40 in one go. The trick is sniffing coffee beans between samples to reset the nose, but after that many, it’s almost impossible to differentiate!
2:00 PM: Back-to-back meetings take over the afternoon. I keep them short - 15 minutes if I can help it. My goal is to be efficient and get to the point. On a typical day, I’ll have around 10 meetings, but when it’s busy, that number jumps to 15. In between, I tweak showroom setups, review lookbooks, and check on store layouts. Music helps me stay inspired throughout the day. I also fill my office with white flowers like cabbage roses, peonies, or lilies for a bit of zen amidst the chaos.
8:00 PM: I head home, often ordering takeout or having my assistant arrange for delivery. Dining out has lost its appeal, especially after a long day. My fridge at home is pretty basic - fruits, Shiseido eye masks, vodka, and chlorophyll water (a weird but effective stress reliever). My weekends are for relaxing with friends; we’ve been tight since school days, so it’s like hanging out with family.
I can be a bit shy in crowds and tend to feel awkward in busy restaurants or during holiday events. Some people mistake it for having a "celebrity" attitude, but that’s just not my vibe. My go-to for unwinding? A weekly pedicure or massage. And I sleep easily, usually dozing off during car rides between meetings.
8:15 PM: Once I’m home, I switch into auto-pilot. I’ll turn on the TV just for some background noise. I can’t stand watching the news; it’s always too depressing. Instead, I’m obsessed with singing competitions, action movies, and comedies. Bridesmaids? I’ve seen it a hundred times and still crack up every time.
I’m also into collecting vintage furniture. With the help of a close friend, I’ve built quite the collection of unique and rare pieces for my place.
12:00 Midnight: My bedroom is stark white and minimal, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city. The last thing I do before bed, and the first thing I do when I wake up, is check my emails. I know it’s a bad habit, but I just can’t shake the fear of missing something important. Even though experts recommend turning off all devices an hour before bed, I can’t resist checking for that last-minute email from Paris or Asia.
Kommentit