On September 12, Alexander Wang will return to New York Fashion Week. Over the past five years, he has held two off-schedule shows: one in a dramatically draped Lower East Side space with a David Lynch-inspired atmosphere, and another in his SoHo store that felt both intimate and high-energy. But this upcoming show is more of a comeback than those. Wang pioneered the idea of fashion week shows as major events—spectacles filled with attitude, celebrity, and bold confidence.
The clothes were always part of the show’s appeal, but so were the models. About 15 years ago, Wang popularized the “model-off-duty” look—think jeans, t-shirts, designer bags, and the occasional cigarette. He also loved featuring top models on the runway, with names like Gisele Bündchen, Shalom Harlow, Bella Hadid, Kendall Jenner, and Kaia Gerber all walking for him over the years.
Wang’s return is driven by two main factors. The show is part of a larger project he and his family are developing—details of which are still to come, though he shared some hints in our conversation last week. His mother, Ying Wang, has been central to their ambitious plans for a building they purchased in Chinatown, and Wang is honoring her with the collection, titled “The Matriarch.”
The show also marks his 20th anniversary in fashion. Wang’s career has seen its share of highs and lows, but our discussion focused mostly on the upcoming show and what lies ahead.
The invitation for the Spring 2026 show features a mahjong tile.
Alex, tell me why you’ve decided to show during New York Fashion Week again after so many years. How long has it been?
Alexander Wang: It’s been about six years, maybe more. But I want to clarify—when we stepped away from the official calendar, it wasn’t a rejection of New York Fashion Week. It was more about reevaluating our rhythm: how many collections we were producing, how we structured our teams, and how the runway shows aligned with the rest of our business. For me, a show is never just about the clothes—it’s the whole experience, the story we’re telling. I felt I couldn’t keep that up twice a year and hit the right timing every season. So we decided to step back and only show when we had something important to say, whether that’s in June, February, or September.
So why return now in September?
A few reasons. It’s our 20th anniversary, so I’ve been reflecting on our beginnings and roots. The brand was born and raised in New York, which continues to inspire me like nowhere else. I also wanted this show to be about more than just looking back—it’s about where we’re headed. And… there’s a special announcement we’ll be making in September.
Which we’ll discuss later…
It ties into a preview of an investment we’ve made here in New York, and I have to give credit to my mom—this has been her vision for the last 35 years: supporting the creative arts.
I know your mother is a big part of this collection and project…
She has…She has always been my guiding light, supporting me throughout my entire career ever since I left school to pursue fashion. For a long time, she’s talked about this vision—not just supporting me, but also the next generation of creatives, bridging gaps and cultures. She’s worked between Asia and America for years. Without revealing too much, this September is about returning to Fashion Week with a powerful story we want to share and celebrate with everyone who’s been part of this journey.
How do you see making an impact in 2025 compared to, say, a decade ago? What’s on your mind when planning a show now?
Most importantly: What story do we want to tell through the experience of those attending, and how does inclusivity play a role? Early on, we did shows that invited the public or used unconventional locations to reach a wider audience. When we started, it was 2008—the beginning of the recession. It was challenging but also a dynamic time. One of our first shows was in a warehouse during heavy rain. Everyone came in soaked, and we thought, “Let’s just make the models wet on the runway too!” That spirit of being nimble and adaptable, going with the flow and embracing whatever comes your way, still drives us today. Things change constantly—not always creatively, though that happens too—and staying curious and flexible is key.
In terms of content creation and capturing the show experience, I have a clear vision for the story I want to tell at the highest level. But opening up the conversation so people can participate independently has been the biggest change. With brands now engaging directly with customers, fans, and communities, the question is: How do we give people the tools to tell their own stories? Some might share a quick take on TikTok while scrolling, others may want to read a full article to understand the collection, and diehard fans might watch the entire live stream. There are so many ways to engage, and we’re trying to cover as much as possible—not to overwhelm ourselves, but to let our story be something people can join in on without it being rigid.
How does it feel to look back at the shows you’ve done over the last 20 years—a period of huge change and upheaval? And what were your three favorite shows during that time?
I reflect often. While I’m focused on the future—and this show is really about where we’re headed—I also have nostalgic moments where I revisit old show videos or event footage and think, “I wish we’d made that moment longer,” because everything goes by so fast. I remember all the backstage details or what happened at the after-party. But the three most memorable shows were: first, our 10-year anniversary. It was a major moment of reflection—the first time we really looked back. We created a film that played at the end of a long runway, and then doors opened to reveal a whole new universe for everyone to step into…
I believe that was the show where I tripped and fell flat on my face as I went to say hello to Brandon Maxwell, who was with a blonde woman. They helped me up, and then the blonde…A woman shook my hand and said, “Hello, I’m Gaga.” Oh my god, I love that—I love those moments when everyone comes together and shares something special. Bringing people together in that kind of environment—whether you’re in fashion, art, an assistant, or the editor-in-chief—that really makes me happy.
So that’s number one. What about two and three?
Number two was our show at Rockefeller Plaza. Showing in such an iconic location and bringing my parents on stage with me at the end made me really proud to be a Chinese American immigrant. My mom has come to almost every show, but not my dad, so having both of them there—my dad was taking it all in, waving to the crowd! The third would probably be our first show in Chelsea. Erin Wasson styled it, and that was the moment I felt understood, you know? I felt like people got where I was going, and we connected through the clothes, the product, and the experience.
The first show is always a landmark moment for a designer. How did you feel doing it?
I’d never officially worked in a design role before, so I didn’t really know how a show should be done. It was just me and all my friends making it happen, and I felt the love. I was excited because Erin was in the show and brought her friends to model. The girls were backstage, all dressed and ready, eating pizza right before the show was supposed to start. The casting assistant called the casting director because everyone was like, “Oh my gosh, the models are eating pizza in their outfits—what do we do?” The casting director just asked, “Where’s Alex?” and they said, “He’s with them, eating pizza too.” It was one of those moments where everyone was sharing the same experience; those early years when anything goes.
That seemed to become a hallmark of your shows: the idea of models wearing off-duty looks on the runway.
When I first started, there weren’t many photographers shooting outside the shows. Street photography wasn’t really a thing yet, though I remember getting Japanese magazines that documented street style. I loved seeing what Erin, Frankie [Rayder], Carmen [Kass], and Daria [Werbowy] were wearing—they looked so cool. That’s what always inspired me; I wanted to hang out with them. My friends and I started saying “model-off-duty” when we saw a look we liked out and about. It might be a fancy top they got for walking a show, worn with ripped jeans at a bar while smoking. I was always curious and intrigued by that outsider perspective. It really helped shape my identity, taste, and point of view.
How do you feel New York Fashion Week has changed, Alex? What differences do you see from when you started showing?
New York has become one of the most unconventional places to show, which is why I love it so much. Even though some people say no one shows in New York anymore—that everyone’s in Paris—there’s something about New York that excites me, especially with independent and younger brands. Almost every other week, I go on social media and see a show in Queens, a show in Brooklyn. The idea that Fashion Week only happens in September or February is outdated. It’s happening in every shape and form. It could be 10 people in someone’s living room putting on a show, but if they do it right, it goes viral. I think it’s opened up so many creative opportunities for people to think outside the box.That’s what I’m so excited about—thinking outside the box. I also think New York has given rise to some really exciting young designers and brands doing incredible work right now. They’re deeply connected to their communities and focused on sharing their culture in a broader way.
Who do I like? Who’s on my radar? Telfar, Luar, Willy Chavarria. When I first started in fashion, there was a group of young designers—like a graduating class—all coming up at the same time, and I feel like that’s happening again. They each have different stories and identities, and they’re doing things their own way. It’s really exciting to watch.
Let’s talk about the collection, titled The Matriarch. The inspiration is very close to home. [Gesturing to a portrait of his mother on the wall] She’s almost always watching over me.
We’re definitely in a moment where there’s something in the air telling us we need all the matriarchal power we can get, as opposed to patriarchal. But honestly, while that’s true, it wasn’t my first thought with this collection. This one is very personal. My mom has always been my number one inspiration—I know a lot of designers say that, but she’s always encouraged me to do my best, stay curious, and never be afraid of where my dreams might take me. I’m here because of her, and she’s always paved the way for me. There’s a strength and power in that which has subconsciously inspired me, but I’ve never really studied it or dedicated a collection to it before.
The alpha female—that attitude of being in control—has always been at the heart of my inspiration. It’s not defined by masculine codes, but by a unique feminine strength. I think this collection will look very different from what people have seen from me in recent years, but at its core, it’s still a devotion to this eternal muse of the alpha female and how it’s touched everyone I’ve worked with. In the past, and still today, we’ve had a majority-female executive team. My first CEO was my sister-in-law, and my last active CEO was Paula Sutter. That’s an energy I’ve always been surrounded by. With the announcement and what we’re doing with this space, it felt appropriate to encompass that. This will be an alpha female show—no menswear.
Best advice my mom gave me? She always pushed me to be fearless—if I wanted something, go for it and don’t let anything stop me. As a Chinese mother, she wouldn’t say it outright, but her actions spoke for her. I try to take her on vacation or do something relaxing, but she hates relaxing. She doesn’t like going anywhere without Wi-Fi. Sometimes I’ll say, “You’re wearing me out!” I just want to lounge by the pool, but she hates the sun. Yet I see so much of her in myself.
So, I’m definitely my mother’s son. She’s incredibly execution-driven, and she’s passed that down to me. It’s funny—sometimes if I’m too busy to see her, my boyfriend will take her to lunch or visit, and he’ll come back saying, “Your mom wore me out today—she went from one meeting to another, had a three-hour work lunch, then another meeting…” And she’s 83! I see so much of that in myself.
That’s the power of her influence.The collection is a powerful source of inspiration. While not every detail is finalized, it’s extremely focused and feels like the most disciplined expression of what I want to say. It points clearly to where we’re headed—there’s a stealthy, sharp quality to it. We often say we’re giving femininity its sharp edges.
The venue in Chinatown holds a lot of meaning. The official opening and announcement about how we’ll use the space will come in early 2026. I have to credit my mom—this has been part of her vision for a long time. When the opportunity came up, it felt right. Since COVID, I’ve been looking for ways to support Chinatowns across the U.S., from LA to San Francisco to New York. We explored many options, and this building came into the picture. It was previously owned by HSBC and is a 101-year-old landmark. This will be the first time it’s owned by Chinese Americans, which makes me very proud. It’s a family investment, showing our commitment to New York and especially to Chinatown. The goal is to bridge cultures and bring people together in new and exciting ways.
It’s taken a long time to plan and schedule, so we’ve only done a little work on it so far. I love that the space is symbolic—it’s right across from the Manhattan Bridge, which feels fitting for looking both back and forward.
If I could speak to my younger self, I’d say: When you’re starting out, you think things will get easier once you have more help and resources—but they don’t! [laughs] As a founder, you pour your passion into every detail. Being scrappy, nimble, and curious is what got me through in the beginning. I didn’t have a mentor or anyone in fashion to turn to, so I learned through trial and error. That mindset still drives us today. With the world changing so fast and new technology always emerging, staying flexible and embracing change is essential—it’s the only constant. So I’d tell my younger self: Embrace it all.
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about Alexander Wangs statement designed to be clear and helpful
General Understanding
Q What does Alexander Wang mean by an alphafemale show
A He means the fashion show will be a powerful celebration of strong confident and dominant women reflected in the clothing the models and the overall attitude
Q Is this his first show back
A Yes This show marks his official return to the New York Fashion Week calendar after a severalyear hiatus
Q What is the occasion for this comeback show
A It is celebrating the 20th anniversary of his iconic fashion label Alexander Wang
About the Alpha Female Concept
Q What is an alpha female in fashion
A In this context it refers to a woman who is assertive selfassured and exudes power and leadership through her style and demeanor
Q What kind of clothes represent an alpha female aesthetic
A Think sharp tailoring strong silhouettes luxurious fabrics and pieces that command attention such as powerful blazers sleek dresses and statement accessories
Q Is this a new direction for the brand
A Not entirely Alexander Wang has always been known for a cool downtown and slightly rebellious aesthetic This alpha female theme is a focused and amplified version of that core identity
For the Audience Fashion Followers
Q When and where is the show happening
A It will be held during New York Fashion Week in September 2024 The exact date and location are typically announced closer to the event
Q How can I watch the show if Im not there
A The show will likely be livestreamed on Alexander Wangs official website and social media channels
Q Will the collection be available to buy
A Yes the pieces from the show will eventually be produced and sold in Alexander Wang stores on his website and at select highend retailers
Deeper Questions
Q Why is this comeback such a big deal in the fashion world