Alexander Wang’s return to the runway after sexual assault claims is studded with celebrity support
By Jane Nam
Yesterday night, luxury fashion designer Alexander Wang held his highly anticipated fashion show titled “Fortune City” in the heart of Los Angeles’ Chinatown.
Wang’s Fall 2022 “Fortune City” collection paid homage to his Chinese American heritage by celebrating Asian history and culture.
The runway began out of the “K.G. Louie Co.” store, its name shining in neon lights. The iconic antique shop is one of Chinatown’s original stores and is located at the Old Chinatown Central Plaza. Models strutted down a red carpet and around a traditional Chinese guardian lion statue.
The show marked Wang’s comeback after a two-year hiatus since the designer faced a string of sexual misconduct allegations. In 2020, several individuals came forward stating that Wang had drugged and sexually assaulted them. Wang initially denied the claims in January 2021, calling them “grotesquely false,” but soon after took responsibility, promising to “do better.”
“It was not easy for them to share their stories, and I regret acting in a way that caused them pain,” he wrote in his March 2021 statement. “While we disagree on some of the details of these personal interactions, I will set a better example and use my visibility and influence to encourage others to recognize harmful behaviors.”
After apologizing and reportedly meeting with several of his accusers, Wang remained largely absent from the public eye, while celebrities like Rihanna and Lucy Liu continued to model his clothes and support his brand.
Yesterday night’s event was further evidence of celebrities’ continued support for Wang, with big names both in the front-row seats and on the runway, including a pregnant Adriana Lima, who wore a cut-out piece that showed off her growing belly.
Former angel Behati Pinsloo-Levine sat in the front row, along with K-pop icon CL and rapper Coi Leray. Other celebrities on the 800-name guest list included Kimora Lee Simmons, rapper Gunna, YouTuber Nikita Dragun and “Euphoria” actor Chloe Cherry.
Also gracing the runway was model Amelia Gray Hamlin, daughter of “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” star Lisa Rinna and current girlfriend of reality TV personality Scott Disick from “Keeping Up with the Kardashians.” Proud parents Rinna and Harry Hamlin also sat front row.
Wang’s Instagram post about his Chinatown show was flooded with warm messages, with fans expressing they wanted “every piece” from the collection.
Others wrote, “legendary” with heart and fire emoticons.
Judging from the warm reception of his new collection, Wang appears to be back in the good graces of the public, with many praising his new works.
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