Alexander Wang's tough and promising debut at Balenciaga

Jing Zhang

BIO

Fashion Editor Jing Zhang gives you the inside scoop on style trends, Fashion Weeks, industry news and events in Hong Kong, Asia and internationally. There will be live updates from biggest fashion shows and often daily uploads of the best collections and collaborations. Read for the latest insights on top designers, eccentric local labels, plus what is trending in global and Greater China fashion. Jing was born in Guizhou, China and grew up in Hong Kong and England. Follow her on Twitter @jingerzhanger

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Alexander Wang's debut at the storied couture house of Cristobal Balenciaga was definitely the hot ticket this season. Two small catwalk presentations were shown to a handful of press and VIPs bright and early on Thursday morning. Doors closed on the dot, no faffing for this event.

Not all, myself included, were convinced when American designer Wang was announced as replacement for the talented Nicholas Ghesquiere - these Balenciaga boots are big, and hard to fill.But his impressive first collection showed the young designer to be quite the dark horse.

A tight disciplined collection in black and white cut a tough new look for the Balenciaga muse and woman - strong and minimalist. The luxurious, couture aspect of the house was conveyed in the wonderful details that you can see only up close. Beautiful painstaking fabrications and very interesting pattern cutting prevailed.

Kudos to Alexander Wang - a promising start at the helm of one of fashion's most influential institutions! And not yet 30 years old...

Read more about Paris fashion week in the relaunched broadsheet culture section in SCMP and in Post Magazine's big fashion issue