Taraji P. Henson Loves How “Ratchet” Alexander Wang Can Be
Taraji P. Henson at the Alexander Wang show on Sunday. Photo: Getty Images
On Sunday night, Alexander Wang took us to church. Literally. He showed his Fall/Winter collection at the St. Bartholomew’s on Park Avenue. Why would such a downtown designer bring his loyalists to an uptown place of worship? Were we going to listen to a choir? See a collection inspired by nuns in habits and cloaks? Watch angels fly to the heavens in his wares? Surely there had to be some reason!
And there was. In Wang’s world, there was no better place to show a rebellious collection that wouldn’t have looked out of place being worn by Fairuza Balk in The Craft. Metal chokers, short mini skirts and dresses adorned with marijuana leaves, lots of leather, metal, and attitude. He chose one of four words — girls, strict, faded or tender — to emblazon across fuzzy hats, tanks, sheer tops, and on the stockings of nearly every look in a Supreme-esque font. A stripper on the pole was another reoccurring print that appeared on sweaters and a cheeky pair of pink corduroy pants. All this while Missy Elliott’s “WTF” served as the blaring soundtrack.
Perhaps the priest in charge was purposefully absent that day, but Wang’s front row, which consisted of Beth Ditto, Kylie Jenner, TYGA, Solange Knowles, CL, Zoe Kravitz, and Taraji P. Henson were all bobbing their heads enthusiastically. (Wang knows to whom he preaches.) “There was a pair of pink ripped pants that I loved, and the pink corduroy pants were pretty dope too,” Kravitz told Yahoo Style. “The hats that said ‘strict’ and the stockings that said ‘girls’ on it. I loved it all.”
Henson was equally as emphatic in her typical Cookie fashion. “I think it’s amazing,” she said. “I love that he takes risks, I love that he’s a biscuit and ratchet at the same time. But classy. He has something for everyone and I love him.” As for the holier than thou setting? “That’s what he does, that’s what artists are supposed to do. Make you think and push the envelope, why not?”
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