Seven Truths Alexander Wang x H&M Revealed About SF

By Robyn Hagan Cain Nov 7, 2014, 10:20am PST

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The buzzy Alexander Wang X H&M collaboration is a perfect fit for San Francisco. The pieces are edgy, surprisingly well-constructed for fast fashion, and mesh with the city's understated cool vibe— exactly what you expect from Wang, an SF native. It's no surprise that the collection went faster than an affordable rent-controlled apartment at yesterday's launch, but shopping the collab was about so much more than just getting a Spring 2013 sweater at a fraction of the price. Between waiting in line and covering the fray inside the stores yesterday, I had several realizations about life in this great city thanks to Mr. Wang.

Photo by Driely S. for Racked
There’s a generation gap in overnight lines
When I scanned the Alexander Wang X H&M line at 7:15 on Wednesday evening, the 24 assembled shoppers appeared to have one thing in common: they all looked to be under 25. By morning, the post-college
Kids these days aren’t dreaming big enough
I spoke with the first four shoppers in the line about what they wanted from the collection, and they were firmly focused on Wang sweatshirts, beanies, and socks. No jackets. No booties. No $349 leat
Flexible offices aren’t that flexible
San Francisco has a reputation as a relaxed city where you can come and go as you please from your office as long as you finish your work. That’s not entirely true. As I learned Thursday morning, bo
There are a lot of undercover boxers in this city
One of the surprise sellouts in the collection was the boxing gloves. These were freakishly impractical, yet everyone wanted them. I recently took up boxing, and I think I was the only person i
There is a limit to SF’s obsession with puffer jackets
If you have spent even a single winter in SF, you know that people start pulling out full-length down coats at the first hint of 50-degree weather. On sunny days, the city sticks with down
If it’s too large to fit in the ginormous Alexander Wang X H&M bags, it’s too large for an SF apartment
We’ve all seen those metal “size-wise” stands near the airport check-in counters that say something to the effect of, “If your bag doesn’t
Luckily, my dog can stay.