Alexander Mcqueen

Alexander McQueen Clothing

On March 17th, 1969, Alexander McQueen was born in London, England. At the age of 16, he left school and was offered an apprenticeship at the traditional Savile Row tailors Anderson and Shepard, and after, at Gieves and Hawkes. Both were geniuses in the technical construction of clothing. After, he moved to theatrical costumiers Angels and Burmans where he finally mastered the 6 methods of pattern cutting that has become a famous McQueen design today. He was employed briefly by British designer Koji Tatsunu before flying to Milan to become an assistant to Romeo Gigli. He received a Master’s Degree in Fashion Design from Central Saint Martins. As one of the most respected designers in the world, McQueen’s designs can be spotted on everyone from glamorous celebrities to Prince William’s wife.

Alexander McQueen Designs

McQueen’s designs are more than just pieces of clothing. They are, in their own sense, artistic expression. The fabric quality cannot be surpassed. The designs vary with each season. Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter bring fresh new ideas from McQueen. Each design is unique from the rest, abstract in form and coinciding with the season it resides in.

The Bottom Line

Artistic expression and high fashion combine to create one of the world’s most respected and beloved designer’s line of clothing that cannot be rivaled.

Alexander Mcqueen Blog Posts

Fashion How To: Wear the New Baroque

Submitted by Emma Waight on Fri, 08/17/2012 - 12:38

889 Alexander McQueen Baroque

Opposing minimalism this autumn/winter is the new season baroque. Opulence and rich attention to detail makes for a beautiful evening trend with Faberge prints and embellishments at Balmain and gold and velvet combos at Dolce and Gabbana. Even Vivienne Westwood pushed punk style aside for more of a Disney princess vibe for AW12. Gucci, Marni and Stella McCartney too, all saluted the new baroque.

This is a scrumptious trend, perfect not just for Christmas and New Year parties but for a little bit of glamour every day. Black, gold, velvet, print, embroidery and embellishment is the way to embrace the trend. At the high, super high, end of the spectrum we have this stunning Alexander McQueen black and red wool-blend intarsia skater style dress. With a nod to Victorian gothic glamour, it is truly a sight to behold and a ‘snip’ at £1,520. Another piece of McQueen I am in love with are these dangerously red snake ribbon tie heels, £1,215.

Try Marni and Marc Jacobs for jacquard separates. This Marni brocade top is a super chic way to work the aesthetic in a fresh palette of mint-green, pale-blue and peach. Or update a LBD with this Theysken’s Theory Jelsor Gold Zip Jacket, £525 and covered in shimmering gold metallic jacquard. Team with opaque tights.

Fashion Meets the Olympic Games: A Very Stylish Closing Ceremony

Submitted by Emma Waight on Mon, 08/13/2012 - 17:42

883 Fashion Closing Ceremony

At its peak, 26.3 million people in the UK were watching last night’s Olympic Closing Ceremony. Were you one of them? A fantastic musical performance was embellished with a fashion show spectacular. Two years in the making, Vogue Fashion Director Lucinda Chambers helped to put on the display, recruiting a number of top models and designers to the cause.

In case you missed it, British supermodels Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell, Karen Elson, Stella Tennant, Lily Cole, Jourdan Dunn, Georgia May Jagger, Lily Donaldson and David Gandy took to the biggest runway they have ever walked – the Olympic Stadium. Starting with Nick Knight-shot billboards, the screens were torn down to reveal the models themselves. Working the Union Jack catwalk, models wore Alexander McQueen, Burberry, Christopher Kane, Erdem, Vivienne Westwood and Paul Smith – some of my very favourite designers and so proud to be British! A legion of foot soldiers positioned themselves to form the iconic Alexander McQueen skull shape, in tribute to the most revered British designer of this generation.

The Brits have made such an impact on both music and fashion over the decades that it is fantastic that both were shown off in the much anticipated Closing Ceremony. Christopher Kane speaks to Vogue about his contribution – a striking metallic crystal mesh suit. Using ‘wearable and light’ aluminium, Kane integrated sections of Swarovski crystal mesh, taking at least 80 hours to complete the outfit. He said: “We had to unlink each metal ring and reattach it. It was a really timely process”, now that is craftsmanship.

Lady Gaga Pays Record £85k for Alexander McQueen Gown in Charity Auction

Submitted by Emma Waight on Thu, 06/28/2012 - 19:58

841 Alexander McQueen Dress

Lady Gaga is in the headlines for her fashion choices again, but this time it is less about the crazy things she is wearing and more about the crazy price she is paying. The global pop star has paid a record amount for a gown in an auction, £85, 250 to be exact. Well it is for charity. The expensive selection is a gown by the late Alexander McQueen and previously lived amongst the collection of Daphne Guinness.

Gaga is thought to have set a new high record for a McQueen piece as she bid against private couture collectors and institutions around the world. Alexander McQueen, who was a friend of Gaga’s certainly left a legacy behind him. His fashionable creations will go down in history as some of the very best of the turn of the century fashions. The dress in question was an ivory silk tulle empire line gown, called ‘The Girl Who Lived in the Tree’ – very romantic.

Gaga was among a gaggle of bidders, from 21 countries who fought over the auction items, all of which were from the personal collection of Daphne Guinness. The lots went for four times the original estimate. A metallic silver mini-dress dating from 2008, the year before he committed suicide - also beat the previous record, fetching £79,250. Guinness was auctioning items from her personal collection to raise funds for the Isabella Blow Foundation, which she set up in memory of her friend to support emerging fashion talent.

The sale featured stunning pieces from the likes of Chanel, Balenciaga, Gareth Pugh, Lanvin, Gucci, Prada and Christopher Kane. They were carefully selected from Guinness’s collection with the help of Christies’ auctioneers. Can you imagine having one of those pieces? Let alone a huge collection that needs editing down every now and then, amazing.

Fashion at British Design 1948–2012 Exhibition at Victoria & Albert Museum

Submitted by Emma Waight on Tue, 05/08/2012 - 10:41

770 V&A Westwood T-shirt

Over the bank holiday weekend I went to the V&A's exhibition, ‘British Design 1948–2012: Innovation in the Modern Age’, which celebrates the best of British post-war art and design from the 1948 ‘Austerity Games' to the present day (and the 2012 Olympic Games). It was a lovely day out and a worthwhile exhibition to attend. There is something for everyone from cars and architecture to music and of course, fashion.

The displays examine the shifting nature of British design over 60 years: three galleries respectively explore the tension between tradition and modernity; the subversive impulse in British culture; and Britain’s leadership in design innovation and creativity. Fashion is intertwined amongst everything else. In the first room we have a display of Laura Ashley, the quintessential British designer. From Laura Ashley fabric to a child’s and woman’s dress, the display highlights the traditional past of Laura Ashley and the signature style that the brand has managed to keep hold of, particularly in homewares.

From ‘Swinging London’ in the 1960s, through the nihilism of Punk in the 1970s, to the sharp presentation of ‘Cool Britannia’ in the 1990s it was a fast track of British fashion design. There was an ‘Anarchy in the UK’ T-shirt, by Vivienne Westwood & Malcolm McLaren, 1977-8, worn and altered by Johnny Rotten and stage costumes of some of the leading pop stars of the times.

Duchess of Cambridge in Sumptuous Black Velvet Alexander McQueen Gown

Submitted by Emma Waight on Tue, 12/20/2011 - 21:41

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The Duchess of Cambridge has been spotted in a truly stunning Alexander McQueen gown. It has raised eyebrows, not just because of its beauty (and the beauty of Kate in it) but for two other reasons. Firstly, when did you last see Kate in black? She normally opts for bright blues and reds, or muted camels and creams. Secondly, it bears resemblance to the dress worn by Princess Diana right back in 1971 to her first public engagement.

Let’s start with the colour, because quite frankly I find that more interesting. My most vivid memory of Kate is in THAT blue Issa dress. She loves a bit of Issa does Kate. She also loves Sarah Burton, the creative director behind Alexander McQueen, designer of her wedding dress and also designer of this lavish frock. So the designer she was familiar with, it is the colour and shape which is more of a statement. In rich black velvet, full length and strapless, I think there is no better word to describe this gown other than scrumptious. Or sumptuous. Kate rarely shows her shoulders, nor wears black, so is this a sign of her increased maturity? A clear signal that she is now a woman of the world?

The dress was very similar to one worn by Diana thirty years ago except Diana’s was made of satin rather than velvet, both accessorised with diamonds. Princess Diana wore her gown for a fundraiser at the Royal Opera House. It was designed by Elizabeth and David Emmanuel, who designed her wedding dress, and sold at auction last year for a staggering £192,000.

Sarah Burton’s Third Collection for Alexander McQueen Sends Shivers Down Spine at Paris Fashion Week

Submitted by Emma Waight on Thu, 10/06/2011 - 11:14

303 Alexander McQueen 2012Sarah Burton showed her third collection since taking over the reins at Alexander McQueen this week. Hailed by Alexandra Shulman as ‘triumphant’ the show sent shivers down the spine of everyone in attendance at Paris Fashion Week.

McQueen was a complicated character and his collections were about as deep and meaningful as fashion can get. Burton has already proved herself a worthy successor, but at the helm of one of the most loved fashion houses in the world, the pressure will never let up. As designer of the Duchess of Cambridge’s wedding dress, Burton is loved by the masses. The delicacy of the wedding dress is something which has perhaps had an influence on this, her latest collection.

The show was a tantalising mix of mermaid inspired looks and dominatrix hedonism. Burton took inspiration from the seabed and the wonders of nature. Staring with elegant skirt suits, with gold edging and nipped in waists, models wore lace skull caps just covering their eyes. Fabrics were heavily adorned with ruffles, folds and beading on outfits which truly took your breath away.

Short, ruffle printed baby doll dresses had an unearthly sensibility, like a creature emerging from the ocean for the first time. As the mood got darker, a model walked out in a sheer, black and nude lace dress which completely covered her face, rendering her featureless. Other more dominatrix styles emerged – black, bondage shoes which laced up to the knee, strong shoulders, cut-out black patent and little corset bodysuits. Models faces were entirely encrusted with shells, showing only their eyes in a creepy but atmospheric turn of events.

Alexander McQueen’s Savage Beauty Exhibition Could be Coming Home to the UK in 2013

Submitted by Emma Waight on Sat, 09/10/2011 - 13:34

260 Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty

Alexander McQueen’s Savage Beauty exhibition is one of the most successful exhibitions of all time. When it was announced that the late designer’s retrospective would be held at the Met Museum in New York, British fashion lovers sobbed. I’m sure I wasn’t the only one who considered planning a trip to the Big Apple just to see it.

McQueen’s life and work was celebrated at the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute in New York earlier this year. It was the Met’s most visited fashion exhibition to date, attracting over 650,000 people after having its run extended due to popular demand. The display showed McQueen’s story, from his Central Saint Martins’ postgraduate collection of 1992 to his final runway presentation, which took place after his death in February 2010.

It featured approximately 100 ensembles and 70 accessories drawn from the Alexander McQueen archive in London. Curated by Andrew Bolton, the retrospective had a star studded opening party. Feeling left out, fashion lovers in the UK started a petition to bring the Savage Beauty retrospective home to London. More than 2000 people backed the campaign, and although not officially confirmed, latest news would suggest that we have won!

McQueen’s representatives released a statement saying: “Alexander McQueen appreciates the huge amount of interest the public has shown towards the Savage Beauty exhibition. We have been in discussion with a number of major venues in London for some time now however nothing has been finalised. Please be assured that an official announcement will be made the moment we confirm our plans for London.”

Stella McCartney Dress Gives Kate Winslet the Perfect Figure: The Power of Illusion

Submitted by Emma Waight on Thu, 09/08/2011 - 11:15

Last week, actress Kate Winslet wowed the crowd at Venice Film Festival in a figure hugging Stella McCartney dress. The clever design in nude had black panels to each side and a seam across the bust, giving the illusion of a small waist and perky breasts. In short, the dress gave her the perfect hourglass figure and she isn’t the only one to cotton on to the power of clever dressing.

Victoria Beckham, Kim Kardashian and Carol Vorderman have all been spotted in the same Alexander McQueen dress, designed by the late designer himself. This popular creation cost £2,500 and used black stripes on a white dress to give the illusion of an hourglass figure. Liv Tyler also wore a Stella McCartney frock in plain navy with black side panels. In some cases, designers are literally drawing the perfect shape onto the design.

Ah the power of illusion! My question is what took the designers so long? Fashion is all about flattering the figure and creating the perfect silhouette; a simple panel here, a little line there, can make all the difference. The trend was first seen in 2009 when Alexander McQueen and Herve Leger both showed clever figure-enhancing designs on the catwalk. By adding dark panels at the sides, inches can be lost off the waist when the wearer is standing against a dark background.

Erin O’Connor, Nicholas Coleridge & Harvey Nichols launch ‘The Campaign for Wool’

Submitted by Emma Waight on Wed, 09/07/2011 - 22:21

252 Wool Week at Harvey Nichols

We are currently in Wool Week. That’s right, the 5th-11th September 2011 is a time for us to celebrate all things woolly. Wool Week is an initiative of The Campaign for Wool, which was founded by His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales in 2008 in light of decreasing numbers of sheep, tough conditions for farmers and the growing replacement of wool with synthetic fibres.

The Campaign for Wool works with manufacturers and retailers all across the world to encourage the sustainable use of wool. In London, Harvey Nichols is recognising Wool Week with a unique in-store installation. Eight bespoke wool bags have been designed by international fashion houses and you can see these bags as part of the Harvey Nichols installation. Whilst the installation is in place, bags will be featured on eBay where the public can register their interest in individual pieces. An eBay auction will then run from 20th to 30th September so the exclusive bags could be yours!

All proceeds generated from the sale of each bag will be donated to the Prince’s Countryside Fund. The available bags are displayed on the first floor of Harvey Nichols and online. Anya Hindmarch created a gorgeous, wintery shearling tote, whilst Quentin Mackay designed a delicate wool lace clutch. Christian Louboutin went for a bold red and white wool check handbag, and Burberry Prorsum designed a black check bag with leather tassels. Sang A used gingham fabric for a simple shopper, and Vivienne Westwood also designed a simple, but quirky check shopper. It was a two tone navy tote for Smythson and Alexander McQueen adopted the box clutch with Union Jack and signature skull clasp detail.

McQ Pop Up Installation at Selfridges

Submitted by Emma Waight on Wed, 07/06/2011 - 17:32

161 McQ dress

McQ, the diffusion line of Alexander McQueen, has set up shop in Selfridges for the whole of July. In the famous department store you will find a pop up installation of the McQ brand, featuring the women’s pre autumn/winter 2011 collection as well as bespoke hand-embellished pieces by the McQ designers.

McQ was established in 2006 as a diffusion line to Alexander McQueen’s luxury namesake label. It targets a younger customer, with street wise looks and a lower price point, offering denim, jersey and evening looks whilst retaining McQueen’s signature edge.

At the pop up exhibition, customers will have the opportunity to have their purchases customised by one of the McQ design team. The first eight customers to spend more than £750 will gain a private appointment at the brand’s Clerkenwell Studio where their purchases can be customised with McQ’s signature safety pin embellishments. A spokesperson of the brand told Vogue, “We're offering our best customers a chance to discover the McQ world and meet our designers to create something special together. There's a lot of disposable fashion around and McQ will certainly not feel like that. We want our customers to feel that it is precious and personal."

The pre fall collection includes a leather-look cotton shift dress with adjustable zip design detailing for £325, a cropped grey preppy blazer and a grungy take on the classic trench coat with pleating and belt detail.

For behind-the-scenes images of the designers working their magic, head to the Alexander McQueen Facebook page.

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jonnyp #Alexander McQueen 06/24/2011 - 15:37