The sporting life of Wang and H&M

Chinese American designer Alexander Wang with actress Fan Bingbing at a launch party of his H&M collection early this month in Shanghai. Also attending the event were singer Li Yuchun and actor Li Chen. [Photo/Agencies]

After putting on a catwalk show, designer Alexander Wang always runs out from backstage and returns quickly. His latest collaboration with H&M is sportswear.

So does he love sports?

Unexpectedly, Wang's answer is a laughing "no".

"I don't do any sports," admits the sprightly designer. Wearing his own black T-shirt and jeans, he spoke to reporters earlier this month in Shanghai before his H&M collection hit stores here. "I run onstage mainly because I get nervous in front of the big crowd. I cannot see anybody, just run and come back."

But when H&M approached him two years ago, he was eager to create performance wear and activewear because it's relevant for everyone in today's society.

"When you look out in the streets in New York," he says, "people are running around in gym clothes. They go to the gym, go to work and meet friends in sports clothes. That's the norm. I'm not athletic but I always feel comfortable and confident in a T-shirt and jeans."

Wang's sportswear, of course, is not only for wearing at the gym. It's a kind of new nightlife uniform, with versatility.

"If you're going out, going dancing, you sweat as well, you need to be active. Those clothes can be translated to things you can use in other events or situations, say, going to the club or out to dinner," the designer explains.