2. British designer
Alexander McQueen was
well-known for extreme,
hard-edged and often
politically motivated
designs. His innovative
materials, anarchistic
reputation and
provocative runway
shows made him a
memorable figure in more
recent fashion history.
3. Born 17 March 1969, Lewisham, London,
United Kingdom
Died 11 February 2010, Mayfair,
London, United Kingdom
Education Central Saint Martins
Occupation Fashion Designer
Spouse George Forsyth
Parents Joyce McQueen, Ronald
McQueen
Labels Alexander McQueen, McQ
4. “Fantastical,” “shocking,” “visionary”: these are words
that only begin to scratch the surface at describing the
late, great Alexander McQueen.
He was christened “Lee”.
Though McQueen’s career officially began at the age of
16, he recalled his earliest memory when, aged 3, he
drew a picture of a dress on the wall of his family’s council
house in the East End of London.
His personal style was drawn along the lines of close-
cropped hair, a goatee, t-shirts, jeans, and Doc Martens.
He applied for a job as a pattern cutter at Central Saint
Martins College of Art and Design; the school was so
impressed by his portfolio they instead invited him on as a
Masters student.
5. He worked as the head designer at
French couture house Givenchy for five
years before launching his own label.
Known just as much for his tailoring as his outré women’s
couture, McQueen honed his skills as an apprentice on
London’s Savile Row.(painstakingly, to cut jackets)
He won British Designer of the
Year four times (1996, 1997, 2001, and
2003).
6. In December 2000, the Gucci Group acquired a 51%
stake in McQueen’s company and kept the designer on as
creative director.
He directed the
music video for Bjork’s
single “Alarm Call.”
McQueen is credited with
popularizing the skull motif in
fashion.
7. He was most inspired
by “animal skins. Not so PC, but
there’s nothing better than nature.
Nature is a fabric itself.”
McQueen’s
signature designs, as
he noted them in
2003 were, “the
bumster and the frock
coat. The “bumster”
jeans he debuted in
1996 spurred the low-
rise denim trend that
proliferated in the
1990s and early
2000s.
8. In 2005, McQueen
collaborated with Puma on
a line of sneakers (aka
“trainers”) for the shoe
brand.
McQueen was the first designer
to collaborate with MAC cosmetics
on a signature line. His 2007 collab
was inspired by Elizabeth Taylor
in Cleopatra
9. His funeral was attended by
fashion world luminaries like Kate
Moss, Naomi Campbell, Stella
McCartney, Sam Taylor-Wood, and
Daphne Guinne
It was believed that he hanged
himself while in mourning for his
mother’s death nine days prior.
Lady Gaga wore
several pairs of 10-inch
McQueen stilettos in her
video for “Bad
Romance”; the so-called
Armadillo shoes created
a frenzy across the
internet.
11. McQueen had an interest in hard edge of technology of
textiles, and used it often in his collections
Molded leather
body corset Wooden fan skirt Stainless steel
Gummy Bears Digital mechanics as inspiration Cuttle-fish
13. McQueen’s Inspiration
He used things that people want to hide in their heads. His designs
commented on the world around him, and provide examples of what was
considered culturally taboo. He was such a sponge that inspiration came from
everywhere
War Religion Sex
Deep Romanticism, 19th Century
