Wang takes over Brooklyn street in ode to New York

The fourth day of Fashion Week saw Alexander Wang close off a dead-end street in Brooklyn to present his latest collection, an ode to New York and a new look at some of his signature stylistic elements. Christian Siriano offered up what he called a "psychedelic dream garden" of wild colors and whimsical prints, and a diverse runway in terms of shape, size, and gender.

Kaia Gerber models the first look at the Alexander Wang Spring 2018 fashion show held on a street in the Bushwick neighborhood of Brooklyn during New York Fashion Week, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017. (AP Photo/Diane Bondareff)

Kaia Gerber models the first look at the Alexander Wang Spring 2018 fashion show held on a street in the Bushwick neighborhood of Brooklyn during New York Fashion Week, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017. (AP Photo/Diane Bondareff)

ALEXANDER WANG: A FASHION SHOW GROWS IN BROOKLYN

By the time the big bus arrived at Scott Avenue in Bushwick, Brooklyn late Saturday night, the crowd had been waiting for an hour or more behind metal barriers in the street, rows of people jockeying for a decent view, some even perching on garbage dumpsters. It wasn't a good night to be claustrophobic. Or short.

When the bus doors opened, some of Alexander Wang's favorite models from over the years stepped out and strutted down the dead-end street. They didn't do a customary finale, and the entire thing lasted five minutes.

The Alexander Wang Spring 2018 collection is modeled on a street in the Bushwick neighborhood of Brooklyn during New York Fashion Week, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017. (AP Photo/Diane Bondareff)

The Alexander Wang Spring 2018 collection is modeled on a street in the Bushwick neighborhood of Brooklyn during New York Fashion Week, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017. (AP Photo/Diane Bondareff)

Wang has chosen unusual locations for his runway shows before; in 2014, he held one at the Brooklyn Navy Yard on a frigid February night, setting up some major traffic jams that were recounted on Twitter, with one person comparing it (unfavorably) to New Jersey's Bridgegate. The weather was fine on Saturday, but there was some frustration for those who didn't get to see the models very well.

But you can't say the venue wasn't evocative — and different. Wang explained afterward that he was going for a sort of thank-you tour of New York locales that were significant to him. Before arriving in Brooklyn, the bus of models had made two other stops in downtown Manhattan, performing the show for the public.

"This was really about giving back to New York," said the designer, who spent three years splitting his time between New York and Paris when he was creative director at Balenciaga until 2015, and has said it was liberating to be back in New York fulltime. At a moment, he said, when some are questioning the role of New York in fashion — a number of labels have moved their shows to Paris — he wanted to emphasize his love for the city.

The Alexander Wang Spring 2018 collection is modeled on a street in the Bushwick neighborhood of Brooklyn during New York Fashion Week, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017. (AP Photo/Diane Bondareff)

The Alexander Wang Spring 2018 collection is modeled on a street in the Bushwick neighborhood of Brooklyn during New York Fashion Week, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017. (AP Photo/Diane Bondareff)

"The great thing about New York is that it enables you to do whatever you wish, if you want to, to break free a little and do something different," he said. "It's not rigid, it's not formulaic."

After a number of collections in which he tried new and different techniques, Wang said his focus this time was going back to the basics, and finding new reasons to fall in love with them.

"Sometimes the audience isn't ready to move so fast," he said. "People may want something new, but what they are comfortable with, what they react to, what feels immediate, is things that have been around for a very long time — like denim, sweats, cargo pants, sportswear. So I wanted to take those things and give you a new reason to fall in love with it."

An example, he said, was taking a white T-shirt dress and twisting it, adding a bit of embellishment, or taking a men's trouser and tying it with a leather cummerbund. "Or taking a dress and layering it three times, so it's one-stop shopping," he added.

Bella Hadid models a look at the Alexander Wang Spring 2018 fashion show held on a street in the Bushwick neighborhood of Brooklyn during New York Fashion Week, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017. (AP Photo/Diane Bondareff)

The Alexander Wang Spring 2018 collection is modeled on a street in the Bushwick neighborhood of Brooklyn during New York Fashion Week, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017. (AP Photo/Diane Bondareff)

One whimsical theme was the use of extra sleeves everywhere, especially around the waist, for a sash-like effect over trousers or skirts. Jackets, seemingly cut in half, turned into skirts. There were also cutoff jean short shorts over tight leather pants.

Wang said he'd had fun turning back to elements like zippers and studs, and exploring them in new ways. A pair of leather pants had one entire leg covered with studs. Several pairs of trousers had extra zippers in intriguing places.

There were also references to Wang's collaboration with Adidas, as in an athletic jacket with extra sleeves as a belt, emblazoned with the familiar three stripes.

And there were party headpieces, designed by expert milliner Stephen Jones. One, worn by model Kendall Jenner, said "Wangover." (Jenner's half-sister, Kim Kardashian, was on hand to watch the show, with her mother, Kris Jenner.)

"I wanted this collection to be about optimism, playfulness," Wang said. "You go into your closet and just play dress-up. Maybe you don't know where to go or what to do, but putting on the clothes and styling yourself inspires you to do something."

Designer Alexander Wang greets the crowd after his Spring 2018 collection is modeled on a street in the Bushwick neighborhood of Brooklyn during New York Fashion Week, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017. (AP Photo/Diane Bondareff)

WILD COLORS, INFECTIOUS MOOD AT CHRISTIAN SIRIANO

"Work it!" shouted actress Leslie Jones from her front-row seat, as a model strutted by in a revealing number. "I want that!" she called out after inspecting another seductive garment.

For a fashion show, it was an infectious and joyful atmosphere, enhanced by the obvious commitment to diversity of all types on the runway: size, color and gender.

Models walks the runway during the Christian Siriano Spring 2018 fashion show during New York Fashion Week, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017, in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

A model walks the runway during the Christian Siriano Spring 2018 fashion show during New York Fashion Week, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017, in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

Before the show, as models rushed to get dressed and ready, Siriano mused that with all that's going on in the world, "as designers this is our moment to have our voice, to put out there what we feel. So that's why we're really showcasing diversity — we have transgender, we have curvy, we have tall — we have the whole world of women and people, and they can all be beautiful in the same place, in the same moment. And it feels good.

"The show is 13 minutes," he added. "I want to really take everyone out of what's happening and go into a dreamlike place."

In fact, he said, a good name for his show would be a "psychedelic dream garden."

"It's like seeing plants come to life in a way," he said. "I really just wanted it to be kind of romantic and beautiful." He added that he and his design team had used much more bright color than usual, and also patterns upon patterns, and new textures. "We never do that," he said. "We're going for it today."

A model walks the runway during the Christian Siriano Spring 2018 fashion show during New York Fashion Week, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017, in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

A model walks the runway during the Christian Siriano Spring 2018 fashion show during New York Fashion Week, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017, in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

The crowd seemed to respond. Siriano's colors included a bright sunflower, an even brighter grass green, and, brighter still, hibiscus pink — otherwise known as shocking pink — in a column dress and in a one-shouldered, ruffled jumpsuit.

Ruffles were huge — metaphorically and literally. A few models chose to emphasize the flounce by stopping mid-runway and cavorting a bit before continuing their walks. They included supermodel Coco Rocha, who opened the show in electric floral brocade, and closed it in a black orchid flounce gown.

Jones, a big fan of the designer ever since he stepped up to dress her for the "Ghostbusters" premiere last year, gushed about him before the show.

"I love him because he knows how to dress me and make me look so beautiful," Jones said. "He's so normal, he's so down to earth and he does love all women."

A model walks the runway during the Christian Siriano Spring 2018 fashion show during New York Fashion Week, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017, in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

A model walks the runway during the Christian Siriano Spring 2018 fashion show during New York Fashion Week, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017, in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

A model walks the runway during the Christian Siriano Spring 2018 fashion show during New York Fashion Week, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017, in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

Jones said she was proud of her recent birthday: She turned 50. "I need everybody to know that when you get to this age, it doesn't have to be a death sentence," she said with a laugh.

Also sitting in the front row were actresses Gina Gershon, Vanessa Williams and Patricia Clarkson, and rapper Cardi B, whom Siriano dressed for the MTV Video Music Awards.

"I feel like crying for him," Cardi B said, "because I know he's so happy and he's such a good, genuine person. He took his time for my VMA outfits and I got almost in every press (outlet), like best dressed, and I'm so happy that this is happening to him."

Designer Christian Siriano greets the audience at the end of the Christian Siriano Spring 2018 fashion show during New York Fashion Week, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017, in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

Designer Christian Siriano speaks to stylists and a model backstage ahead of the Christian Siriano Spring 2018 fashion show during New York Fashion Week, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017, in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

Designer Chistian Siriano, right, and model Coco Rocha watch her daughter Ioni Conran, 2, walk the runway backstage ahead of the Christian Siriano Spring 2018 fashion show during New York Fashion Week, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017, in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

A stylist helps a model with her boots backstage ahead of the Christian Siriano Spring 2018 fashion show during New York Fashion Week, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017, in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

The WNBA wears Prada.

The stars of the game wore top fashion labels Monday night that turned the draft into a mini-Oscars where style was front and center along with the picks.

Caitlin Clark. Cameron Brink. Kamilla Cardoso. Angel Reese.

They all stepped onto the stage and met the challenge essentially every woman can identify with: Overcoming the trepidation of finding just the right outfit for that special occasion.

“There’s never been a bigger spotlight on women’s basketball, thanks in large part to players like Caitlin Clark and coaches like Dawn Staley," Rose Minutaglio, ELLE senior editor of features and special projects, wrote in an email to The Associated Press.

Usually, when a woman finds what she wants, it’s not a question of whether alterations are needed, but how much. The taller the woman, the bigger the challenge can be.

These tall ladies appeared to pass the test.

It was the perfect time for a fashionable splash just like NFL and NBA players do on their draft nights. Last year, Taylor Hendricks of UCF wore a pink suit with the jacket lined with photos representing his journey to the NBA and the people who meant the most to him.

“With more eyes on the league, players recognize the opportunity to showcase their personalities through their style,” Minutaglio said. "Because of glaring pay discrepancies, fashion partnerships and brand sponsorships will continue to play a big role for female athletes.”

Staley and her South Carolina Gamecocks' victory over Clark and Iowa in the women’s national championship game outdrew the men in television ratings, and this is shaping up to be the WNBA's most-watched draft.

The 6-foot Clark was joined in New York by the 6-7 Cardoso, 6-4 Brink and 6-3 Reese, among others. They've been busy since the NCAA Tournament, too, especially Clark, who made a surprise appearance on “Saturday Night Live."

Clark went with a white jacket and skirt with a sparkly cut-off top, sunglasses and black heels. She credited having people help her prepare keeping it less stressful.

“The first time Prada has ever dressed a male or female for WNBA or NBA draft so pretty cool,” Clark said during the WNBA's livestream from its orange carpet.

Brink and Reese wore outfits that wouldn't be out of place during Fashion Week or a red carpet in Hollywood. Brink wore a diagonal black and white dress showing off both shoulders with a slit exposing her right leg.

Reese shimmered in a hooded, backless gray dress with a plunging neckline after a late wardrobe change with help from designers Bronx and Banco, Simon Miller and Christian Louboutin.

“I got this two days ago," Reese said. "My original dress didn’t fit.”

Rickea Jackson of Tennessee made a wardrobe change between the orange carpet and the draft itself before being selected fourth overall by the Los Angeles Sparks.

“They’re just going to be falling in love with my personality,” Jackson said of Sparks' fans.

Alissa Pili, the eighth pick by Minnesota, worked with a designer to pay tribute to her Alaska Native heritage in the black and gold pattern of her dress.

Most of these glam looks didn't come off the rack.

Being tall is an advantage and not a hindrance for WNBA players. Models who grace the runways during fashion week and the covers of fashion magazines often stand at least 6 feet and taller.

The league's own growing popularity in recent years also has helped.

"Players are also starting to work directly with designers, who help outfit them, and stylists, who focus on game-day drip,” Minutaglio wrote.

This was only the second WNBA draft with fans in attendance, and 1,000 tickets sold out in February for the event at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. Fans got to attend the 2016 draft at the Mohegan Sun when former UConn All-American Breanna Stewart was the top pick.

Shakira Austin, the third overall pick in 2022 by the Washington Mystics, understands the angst Clark and others faced. While the 6-5 center was playing in college at Mississippi, Austin was forced to be creative as she struggled to find pants that fit or any clothing that captured her style.

So she got busy with a sewing machine and became her own designer. Now that Austin is in the pros, she's a fashionista tapping into her creativity, doing more than just pants, leggings and shirts. Austin told the AP earlier this year that it's a great time to dive into both modeling and clothing design.

On her way to becoming the NCAA Division I all-time leading scorer, Clark was surprised by designer Kristin Juszczyk, whose husband, Kyle, plays for NFC champion San Francisco in the NFL. She created a puffer vest with Clark's No. 22 in Iowa black and gold, putting the player in select company with the likes of pop superstar Taylor Swift.

Minutaglio said several brands work with female athletes, with Glossier and SKIMS teaming up with the WNBA specifically. She noted sports brands like Puma, Adidas and Nike all work with women in basketball.

“What’s interesting is we’re seeing players and teams branch out into high-fashion, wearing Dior and Louis Vuitton and Gucci,” Minutaglio said.

Staley herself was decked out on the sideline of the title game in Louis Vuitton, from her silver jacket down to her sneakers, grabbing attention for her look far beyond the sports pages. Minutaglio noted New York-based women's wear brand M.M. LaFleur has a multiyear deal with the New York Liberty.

“I wrote a story for ELLE in 2022 predicting the rise of WNBA game-day fashion, and since then, the looks just keep getting better and better,” Minutaglio wrote. "The fashion set is excited to see where it goes from here.”

AP Basketball Writer Doug Feinberg contributed to this report.

AP WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball

CORRECTS TO CAITLIN CLARK NOT CAITLYN CLARK - Iowa's Caitlin Clark gives autographs before the WNBA basketball draft, Monday, April 15, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

CORRECTS TO CAITLIN CLARK NOT CAITLYN CLARK - From left to right, LSU's Angel Reese, Iowa's Caitlin Clark and Stanford's Cameron Brink pose for a photo before the WNBA basketball draft, Monday, April 15, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

CORRECTS TO CAITLIN CLARK NOT CAITLYN CLARK - Iowa's Caitlin Clark, right, reacts after being selected first overall by the Indiana Fever during the first round of the WNBA basketball draft, Monday, April 15, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

LSU's Angel Reese blows a kiss after being selected seventh overall by the Chicago Sky during the first round of the WNBA basketball draft on Monday, April 15, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Utah's Alissa Pili, right, poses for a photo with WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert after being selected eighth overall by the Minnesota Lynx during the first round of the WNBA basketball draft on Monday, April 15, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

CORRECTS TO RICKEA INSTEAD OF RICK - Tennessee's Rickea Jackson, right, poses for a photo with WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert after being selected fourth overall by the Los Angeles Sparks during the first round of the WNBA basketball draft, Monday, April 15, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

LSU's Angel Reese, right, is helped off the stage after being selected seventh overall by the Chicago Sky during the first round of the WNBA basketball draft on Monday, April 15, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

South Carolina's Kamilla Cardoso, left, poses for a photo with WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert after being selected third overall by the Chicago Sky during the first round of the WNBA basketball draft, Monday, April 15, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Stanford's Cameron Brink, right, is escorted off the state after being selected second overall by the Los Angeles Sparks during the first round of the WNBA basketball draft, Monday, April 15, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Iowa's Caitlyn Clark reacts after being selected first overall by the Indiana Fever during the first round of the WNBA basketball draft, Monday, April 15, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

UConn's Aaliyah Edwards poses for a photo before the WNBA basketball draft on Monday, April 15, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Iowa's Caitlyn Clark waves to fans before the start of the WNBA basketball draft, Monday, April 15, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Iowa's Caitlyn Clark, center, talks with UConn head coach Geno Auriemma before the start of the WNBA basketball draft, Monday, April 15, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Iowa's Caitlyn Clark signs autographs before the start of the WNBA basketball draft, Monday, April 15, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

LSU's Angel Reese and Iowa's Caitlyn Clark pose for a photo before the start of the WNBA basketball draft, Monday, April 15, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

From left, LSU's Angel Reese, Iowa's Caitlyn Clark, and Stanford's Cameron Brink, pose for a photo before the start of the WNBA basketball draft, Monday, April 15, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

FILE - Louisville's Emily Engstler reacts after being selected by the Indiana Fever as the fourth overall pick in the WNBA basketball draft, April 11, 2022, in New York. Everyone likes to look good for a big night on the town. Lots of people will be watching as the WNBA’s next players turn out dressed in their finest looks for Monday night's April 15, 2024, draft. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger, File)

FILE - Georgia Tech's Sasha Goodlett, left, holds up an Indiana Fever jersey with WNBA president Laurel J. Richie after Indiana selected Goodlett as the No. 11 pick in the WNBA basketball draft in Bristol, Conn., April 16, 2012. Everyone likes to look good for a big night on the town. Lots of people will be watching as the WNBA’s next players turn out dressed in their finest looks for Monday night's April 15, 2024, draft. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill, File)

FILE - Tennessee's Rae Burrell, left, poses for a photo with commissioner Cathy Engelbert after being selected by the Los Angeles Sparks as the ninth overall pick in the WNBA basketball draft, April 11, 2022, in New York. Everyone likes to look good for a big night on the town. Lots of people will be watching as the WNBA’s next players turn out dressed in their finest looks for Monday night's April 15, 2024, draft. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger, File)

FILE - Prospective players for the 2012 WNBA basketball draft pose for a photograph at ESPN in Bristol, Conn., April 16, 2012. Everyone likes to look good for a big night on the town. Lots of people will be watching as the WNBA’s next players turn out dressed in their finest looks for Monday night's April 15, 2024, draft. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill, File)

South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley celebrates after the Final Four college basketball championship game against Iowa in the women's NCAA Tournament, Sunday, April 7, 2024, in Cleveland. South Carolina won 87-75. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

FILE - Baylor's Kalani Brown, right, poses for a photo with WNBA COO Christy Hedgpeth after being selected by the Los Angeles Sparks as the seventh overall pick in the WNBA basketball draft, April 10, 2019, in New York. Everyone likes to look good for a big night on the town. Lots of people will be watching as the WNBA’s next players turn out dressed in their finest looks for Monday night's April 15, 2024, draft. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson, File)