Despite Sexual Assault Allegations, Alexander Wang Is Back. But Why?

Irrespective of reviews of predatory conduct lodged from the designer, vogue insiders are welcoming his comeback with open up arms. And that is a challenge.

On February 8, designer Alexander Wang marked his return to the New York Town trend circuit due to the fact dealing with quite a few accusations of sexual assault. Titled “Cupid’s Door,” his Fall 2023 clearly show available “passionate” imagery, comprehensive with zebra-print carpeting, pink velvet drapes and sensual pink lights. Market insiders Anna Wintour sat in the audience, although It girls Gabbriette Bechtel and Julia Fox walked the runway. It was a star-studded affair that made one point abundantly distinct: Alexander Wang is back.

But why is trend so ready to forgive and forget?

Following increasing to prominence in the late 2000s with his eponymous label, the designer established a New York City occasion-goer aesthetic, both of those by means of his function and individual manufacturer. In 2019, this fascinating impression arrived into issue when Alexander Wang confronted allegations of sexual assault. Right after product Owen Mooney alleged that he was groped by Wang in 2017, other accounts began to floor on social media accusing the designer of drugging, non-consensually touching and exposing the genitals of victims, numerous of whom were trans gals.

Although he initially denied these statements, Wang afterwards fulfilled with his accusers in March 2021. He then issued a statement on Instagram expressing remorse. “A range of individuals have come forward not too long ago to increase promises against me concerning my earlier personal conduct,” it read through. “I assistance their correct to arrive ahead, and I’ve listened thoroughly to what they had to say. It was not quick for them to share their stories, and I regret acting in a way that brought on them pain.”

He included that he and his accusers “disagree on some of the facts of these private interactions,” but that he will “set a better example” and use his impact to “encourage other people to understand hazardous behaviours.” Given that then, he’s been mostly laying small. That is, right until now.

Immediately after marking his first comeback with a Los Angeles runway display in April 2022, Wang’s return to the New York vogue scene has been achieved with a questionable total of field backing. Just take Julia Fox, who shut the February 8 display. When confronted about her conclusion to aid the contentious designer, she defended Wang on TikTok. “We do require to go away area for rehabilitation and for those who place in the perform and mend and understand from their blunders,” she wrote in aspect. But what “work” has Alexander Wang finished?

Even in the thick of becoming “cancelled,” the designer’s label hasn’t particularly suffered. Given that the allegations, Alexander Wang has been constructing his brand presence in China with new suppliers and traders. He has maintained an special celebrity customer roster from Rihanna to Kylie Jenner. He’s even outfitted A-listers for high-profile crimson carpets, which include the 2023 Critics Decision Awards. Through it all, his company reportedly tends to make extra than $200 million in product sales on a yearly basis. This momentum, paired with his return to the New York Town manner landscape, factors to the skewed power dynamics concerning Wang and his alleged victims. But seriously, his comeback really should occur as no shock.

Following all, Alexander Wang is not the 1st authoritative style figure to evade controversy. For a long time, Kanye West spewed dislike toward minority groups with out facing real repercussions. Despite his racist remarks and fatphobic rhetoric, Karl Lagerfeld is being honoured at the 2023 Met Gala. And even with a track file of racism and homophobia, Dolce & Gabbana continually proves to be infallible thanks to endorsements by stars like the Kardashians. Alternatively of using victims critically, the trend business has a habit of repackaging unethical actions into subversive aesthetics.

As these types of, Alexander Wang’s refreshed brand presence is leaning into the stylish counterculture du jour. A new promotional online video exhibits fraudster-turned-vogue-icon Anna Delvey flashing her ankle keep an eye on. The label’s new standout runway stars, Fox and Bechtel, are finest known for their viral rebellious magnificence choices. And thanks to his assortment of low-slung pants, faux fur jackets and animal print motifs, Vogue proclaimed that the designer “still has a tackle on what the young children want.” In other phrases, Alexander Wang is great now.

With a stronger worldwide audience and new monetary backing, Alexander Wang is arguably more influential than ever, allegations and all. In some way, this signifies a status fraught with sexual assault accusations can be repackaged as new and on-pattern. Regretably, his return to fashion’s fantastic graces is indicative of a technique that prioritizes those people who have electrical power and ignores (or exploits) all those who do not.

By propping up provocative figures to garner flashy times of shock factor, the manner industry reliably sights controversy as its most valuable forex. But when will it embrace accountability?