Alexander Wang talks personal taste
The fashion designer on YSL chukkas, Hawaii and Tupac Shakur
My personal style signifiers are my own-brand black jeans with a black leather pocket, my collection of sweatshirts and black Samba sneakers. I wear these three things almost every day – to work, to dinner, to the beach. Samba sneakers from £41; www.adidas.co.uk. Jeans, £189, sweatshirts from £84; www.alexanderwang.com.
The last thing I bought and loved was a custom-made waterfall table covered in dove grey stingray. My friend and interior designer, Ryan Korban, created it for our showroom and it matches perfectly with the steel grey space as well as with the white marble floors. ryankorban.com.
Makapuu beach, Oahu | Image: Getty Images/Flickr RF
A recent “find” is The Nomad Hotel in the Flatiron District in New York City. I love the traditional and modern mix. I recently realised that it was where we shot our Fall 2011 campaign with Craig McDean two years ago, when it was just a construction site. 1170 Broadway, New York 10001 (+1212-796 1500; www.thenomadhotel.com), from $395 per night.
An unforgettable place I’ve travelled to in the past year is Oahu. Even more than the place are the memories of my birthday spent with friends. Ten of the people closest to me celebrated New Year’s, sailed and relaxed for a week. We rented a house on the beach; it was wonderful. +1808-878 8559; hawaiihideaways.com.
The last item I added to my wardrobe was a pair of YSL stingray chukkas. There were only something like 10 pairs made, and I special ordered mine. These are basically my version of a dress shoe, but they are on a sneaker base. Since they are made of stingray they don’t give too much, but they are about as comfortable as a dress shoe can get. www.ysl.com.
The people I rely on for personal grooming and style are the Leather Spa for fixing shoes and bags made of suede or leather. I also depend on Joey at Blackstones in the East Village for hair maintenance, and the Shibui Spa at The Greenwich Hotel for the most relaxing massages in the city. Blackstones, 19 East 7th Street, New York 10003 (+1212-353 2680; blackstonesnyc.net); The Greenwich Hotel, 377 Greenwich Street, New York 10013 (+1212-941 8900; www.thegreenwichhotel.com). Leather Spa, 10 West 55th Street, New York 10019 (+1212-262 4823; www.leatherspa.com).
The last meal that truly impressed me was at EN Japanese Brasserie in the West Village. I love the blue crab miso soup, the organic chicken cooked over a hot stone and the tofu and mizuna salad. I’m campaigning for it to bring back its natto soybean dish, as it was the only one like it in the city. Apparently people “didn’t get it”, but I thought it was great. 435 Hudson Street, New York 10014 (+1212?647 9196; enjb.com).
The books on my bedside table aren’t actually books. I read everything on my laptop; generally this includes The New York Times, New York magazine and Women’s Wear Daily.
EN Japanese Brasserie, New York
The last music I downloaded was by Tupac Shakur. I got all of the tracks I didn’t already own, including 2 of Americaz Most Wanted, Hit ’Em Up and California Love. I was so inspired by his hologram at Coachella that I had to fill in my playlists; it really reminded me what an amazing talent he was. www.itunes.com.
If I weren’t doing what I do, I would… I’m not sure. One of my strengths is that I have always known what I wanted to do, and not been deterred.
The grooming staples I’m never without are RéVive skincare products. I use the day cream, Sensitif Cellular Repair Cream, Moisturising Renewal Cream for night, as well as the Tonique Préparatif toner, because they are all light and unscented. And bottom line – they work. Moisturising Renewal Cream, £105; Sensitif Cellular Repair Cream, £125; Tonique Préparatif, £36. www.panachecosmetics.com. www.reviveskincare.com.
My favourite websites are 1st Dibs for looking at vintage furniture, and MenuPages so I can see which restaurants will deliver to me both at work and at home. www.1stdibs.com. www.menupages.com.