Alexander Wang teams up with H&M

Meral Kathwari Staff Writer

Designer Alexander Wang and H&M collaborated to create an affordable, stylish, and fitness-inspired clothing line.

Wang is a high-end designer brand worn mostly by the upper-class elite and celebrities. His decision to pair up with H&M will make his line more affordable.

“I live in gym clothes. When you’re out on the street, it’s the uniform now,” Wang said in an interview with the New York Times.

The announcement was first made at the Coachella Music Festival earlier this year. Recently, fans were able to get a preview of the collection through the viewing of a video at the Fort Washington Avenue Armory in Washington Heights.

The show was complete with popcorn, a crowd that included Mary J. Blige and Jessica Chastain and acrobatics. Parkour runners also performed choreographed moves wearing the collection, proving that the line is perfect for any type of exercise.

Wang is the first American designer to collaborate with the clothing store and will join designers like Versace and Marni and Maison Margiela, on the list of collaborations the clothing store has done.

“I am honored to be a part of H&M’s designer collaborations,” Wang said on H&M.com. “The work with their team is an exciting, fun process. They are open to push boundaries and to set a platform for creativity. This will be a great way for a wider audience to experience elements of Alexander Wang brand and lifestyle.”

The collection consists of leggings with the Wang logo, windbreakers, foam-injected knits, chic snakeskin-effect knits, sweatshirts, sports bras and leather pieces.

“I’m a gym rat,” freshman Miriam John said. “I love this collaboration because I’m always looking for clothes I can wear at the gym and to my classes—and still look fashionable.”

Wang emphasized that the line is water repellent, dries quickly and features breathable fabric.

“I saw the line,” said sophomore Christine LaChapel. “I don’t work out a lot, but the clothes are really cute, and I would wear them throughout the day. They look really comfortable.”

With popular models including Joan Smalls and Natasha Poly featured in the promotional video cartwheeling, boxing and scaling walls, the runway show resembled something out of an action movie series.

In a press release from H&M, the store’s Creative Director Donald Schneider stated: “Alexander Wang is one of the most important voices in fashion today. He understands exactly what people want to wear and does it with an energy and passion that’s infectious. It feels incredible to be collaborating with him this year.”

The collection includes leather pieces, pants, jackets and accessories. Prices for the collection range from $34.95 to $349.

According to HM.com the Alexander Wang collection of performance apparel will be available in 250 stores and online on Nov. 6.