At just 31, Alexander Wang’s made his mark in the global fashion scene, with a brand that bears his name and a style known for monochrome hues, clean cuts, and edgy, understated designs. Both his main label, Alexander Wang, and the sub-label T by Alexander Wang, are stocked in over 700 stores worldwide.
Wang recently closed his chapter as Balenciaga’s Creative Director, a role he held since 2012. Filling his shoes there won’t be easy, given his talent and vision.
Today, we’ll take a look at Wang’s day-to-day, thanks to Harper’s Bazaar, offering a glimpse into the routines of one of fashion’s top designers.
7:30 AM. My alarm jolts me awake - yes, it’s annoying. As a night owl, mornings aren’t my thing. I skim through messages and emails with half-closed eyes, finding more than a few from Paris.
8:30 AM. My morning routine starts with Cle’ de Peau cleanser, RéVive moisturizer, brushing my teeth, and getting dressed. My wardrobe is basically a uniform - about 50 pairs of black jeans and enough black t-shirts, hoodies, and sweaters to match. It’s like a scene from American Psycho, only in black. And I’m sneaker-obsessed. I have 40 pairs, all in three styles, mostly black, and once a month I have them re-dyed.
9:00 AM. Punctuality matters to me; I hate making people wait. Breakfast is usually at the office: oatmeal and juice. I skip coffee, partly out of responsibility - I can’t afford to get sick. I field around 300 emails daily, and replying to each is a challenge. I don’t love talking on the phone either, especially late-night calls from chatty friends. I tell them to cut to the chase unless it’s urgent. Face-to-face works better for me.
12:00 PM. Lunch happens at my desk, usually tuna sushi from TriBeCa, or grilled salmon rice from a Korean spot. Funny how I now enjoy foods I once hated, like broccoli and tomatoes. The office fridge is stocked with Fiji water and juices. I go through six different drinks daily - juice, iced tea, mineral water, smoothies, and the essentials: chocolate milk and root beer.
1:00 PM. Some days are for fragrance-testing, where I sample scent after scent until my nose is numb. On one intense day, I sniffed 40 samples and kept coffee beans on hand to reset my senses.
2:00 PM. I set meetings back-to-back, keeping them brief and to the point. On an average day, I might have 10 meetings, sometimes even 15. Between those marathons, I’m busy tweaking the showroom, reviewing the lookbook, or adjusting store layouts. Long meetings can be exhausting. Music is essential to my creative process; I’m into all genres. I also love white flowers in my workspace, like cabbage roses, peonies, or lilies.
8:00 PM. I leave the office, grab takeout, or have my assistant order in. My fridge at home is minimal - fruits, Shiseido eye masks, vodka, and chlorophyll water to help with stress. On Sunday nights, I wind down with a movie; Fridays or Saturdays, I catch up with friends from school, my “family.”
I’m shy in crowds, so busy places make me a bit uncomfortable. Some assume it’s a “celebrity attitude,” but it’s just me being awkward. To relax, I get a weekly pedicure or massage. I’m also a pro at sleeping anywhere - often catching a nap in the car en route to meetings.
8:15 PM. Once home, I switch to autopilot. The TV’s on for background noise - I avoid news channels to skip the negative stories. I prefer comedies, action flicks, and singing competitions. Bridesmaids is my all-time favorite; I’ve seen it hundreds of times and still laugh every time.
I’m also into vintage furniture. Thanks to a friend, I’ve collected some rare pieces for my home.
12:00 AM. My bedroom is all white and minimalist, with four large windows facing a skyscraper. Before bed, the last thing I do is check my emails. Then it’s lights out, the alarm set, and a final phone check. People say to avoid screens before bed, but it’s hard. I worry about missing an email from Paris or Asia. Bad habit? Maybe, but for now, it’s part of the job.
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