For his first collection with Balenciaga, Alexander Wang played it safe, dipping his toe into the Spanish brand and reserving his big-hit shapes and editorial ideas for his own label. His first runway collection was simple — even austere — perhaps done with pressure from Balenciaga's notoriously rigid higher-ups.
For the campaign, Wang kept the lid on as well…but just barely. Shot by Steven Klein, model Kristen McMenamy takes on a back-turned, action-in-repose stance, looking just moments from uncoiling to rumble. The look was the first one down the runway (worn more commercially without the pants part in the skirt-over-pants ensemble), which shows that Alex either isn't willing or wasn't able to preserve the small quirks in texture and styling that make his first Balenciaga collection feel special...but if McMenamy's clenched fists say anything, it's that he'll be ready to put up a fight. (WWD)
Photo: Courtesy of Balenciaga/WWD