Alexander Wang's Bold Comeback: Can He Redeem Himself in Fashion?
Alexander Wang's Fashion Empire Crumbles: Designer Accused of Sexual Assault Makes Shocking Return to NYFW
The fashion world was left stunned when Alexander Wang, once hailed as one of the most beloved designers globally, was accused of sexual assault by multiple individuals in 2020 and 2021. The allegations sparked a media frenzy, leaving fans and critics alike reeling from the news.
According to sources close to the designer, Wang's once-illustrious career began to unravel after he was accused of groping several men, including model Owen Mooney, who shared a disturbing video on TikTok accusing Wang of touching him inappropriately during a concert in New York City in 2017. The allegations snowballed, with industry watchdog S**t Model Management (SMM) posting screenshots of anonymous accusers' claims on social media.
Some of the accusers claimed that Wang had drugged their drinks without their knowledge, while others alleged that he had touched them inappropriately during various encounters. One victim, fashion design student Keaton Bullen, recounted a harrowing experience at the Fishbowl club in Midtown Manhattan, where Wang allegedly sexually assaulted him.
"I completely froze," Bullen told the BBC. "He then said: 'I want to take you home with me.'"
Another accuser, DJ Gia Garrison, claimed that she was groped by Wang during a meet-and-greet at the VIP area of Slake in Manhattan in 2017. The allegations sparked an outpouring of support for the victims on social media, with many fans expressing outrage and disgust towards Wang.
In response to the allegations, Wang initially denied any wrongdoing but later released a statement acknowledging the claims against him while disagreeing with some details. He promised to "do better" in the future, stating that he would use his influence to encourage others to recognize harmful behaviors.
However, not everyone was convinced by Wang's apology. Lisa Bloom, the lawyer representing several of the accusers, revealed that Wang had secretly met with her clients and apologized for his actions.
Wang's career took a significant hit after the allegations surfaced, but he has since made attempts to revive his brand. In April 2022, he quietly held a runway show in Los Angeles' Chinatown district, which was met with mixed reactions from fans and critics. A-listers notably stayed away from the event, with Real Housewives stars Lisa Rinna and Kimora Lee Simons being among the few attendees.
In February 2023, Wang held another show in New York, which saw actress and model Julia Fox take to the runway. The event was not widely publicized and was not included in the official guide to NYFW; despite this, 150 people attended, including Anna Wintour, who sat front row.
The designer's PR expert, Jon Harris, believes that Wang's attempts to revive his brand are on the right track. "From a PR point of view, he handled it about as well as anyone could after something that serious," Harris told thescholarlynote.com exclusively. "First, after initially denying the accusations (obviously, a mistake), he came forward with a public apology in March 2021 and faced it head-on and sat down with some of the accusers and their lawyer. Owning it and listening directly is the only way you even start to rebuild trust."
Harris added that Wang's decision to take time away from the public eye was crucial in allowing him to regroup and rebrand himself. "In an industry that moves as fast as fashion, that breathing room gave people time to cool off and showed he wasn't trying to brush it under the rug," Harris explained.
Wang is set to make his official return to NYFW for the first time since 2018 with a spring 2026 collection show on Friday night. The announcement was met with fierce criticism from fans, with many expressing their disdain over the designer's comeback.
"Yikes," read one comment, while another said, "Hi I believe survivors, thanks." A fourth user wrote, "Shouldn't predators be banned from fashion week?" However, Harris believes that Wang has set himself up for a successful return. "Not everyone will forgive or forget, but those moves - acknowledge, engage, step back, then re-enter carefully - set him up for a real second act," he stated.
As the designer prepares to take center stage at NYFW, he told the Washington Post that he's feeling hopeful about his comeback. "I think there's a lot of people that probably don't believe that I deserve to be in business," Wang said. "But I do believe, more so than ever, that...I can do more good by creating positive impact."
Wang added that he's not focused on the "noise" surrounding his past and plans to "go forward" rather than "stay in the past." "If I'm always just held back by something that someone said...that's just quitting," he continued.
As the fashion world watches with bated breath, one thing is certain: Alexander Wang's comeback is being closely watched. Will it be a success, or will his past mistakes haunt him forever? Only time will tell.
Photos: Screenshots of Owen Mooney's TikTok video accusing Alexander Wang of groping him; Keaton Bullen recounting his experience at the Fishbowl club; DJ Gia Garrison sharing her story on social media; Alexander Wang's Instagram statement acknowledging the allegations against him.
Sources:
- thescholarlynote.com
- S**t Model Management (SMM)
- Owen Mooney's TikTok account
- Keaton Bullen's interview with the BBC
- DJ Gia Garrison's social media posts
