Alexander Wang A/W15 is Cali beachwear as you’ve never seen it before. Appropriating the theme for winter wear, Wang reworks Hawaiian prints- usually the preserve of the gaudy summer shirt- into subtle tonal prints and textural flocking, embellishing even the smartest of cuts in the collection. Cool bucket hats are a mainstay, as are turtlenecks; layered beneath casual tees, buttoned-up shirts and hoodies, the turtleneck is not simply a practical outfit addition but a clever trompe l’oeil detail, giving the effect of a neatly nestled bandana. Strong, contrasting prints, high tech fabrics, heavy-duty footwear and generously sized bags nod to the distinctive street wear style for which the designer has become so venerated, adding that extra dimension of edge to his eclectic autumn/winter offerings. Oozing laid-back breeziness and put-together sharpness in equal measures, the collection is the perfect example of Wang’s outside-the-box originality, perpetually bridging high design and wearability.