Set Project: Artist Research-Alexander McQueen
Another major contributor to this collection is the legendary Alexander McQueen.
Alexander McQueen
Alexander McQueen know as Lee Alexander McQueen was a British Fashion designer. He had 5 siblings and was the youngest of them all. His father was a taxi driver and his mother taught social science. Even if he was born into a working class family he always strived to make the best out of the situation (Brittanica.com, 2021). At just 16 he left school and began tailoring suits at London's Anderson and Sheppard where he even tailored a suit for Prince Charles that had an embroidery of "I am a c**t" (Milligan, 2020). After that he proceeded to go onto working for another tailor and theatrical costumer (hence his extravagant designs). He then began working with Koji Tatsuno in London and then travelled to Italy to work with Romeo Gigli. He finally enrolled in Central Saint Martins in London in 1990 until 1992 where he had his fashion show for his Master Thesis and Isabella Blow who is a London Stylist bought the whole collection. After graduating Saint Martins he created his own label and gained major recognition after introducing the "bumster" pants which gave a new meaning to pants as they revealed the back side and were cut lower on the waistline. He then beagn working for Givenchy and Louis Vuitton in 1996 until 2001. He admitted that working there was just an income for him as he was being held back from giving a new identity to the fashion house and actually expressing himself through his designs. Even if the designs he created in his opinion were not his best he still won the designer of the year award in 1996, 1997 and 2001. While still working for Louis Vuitton which owned Givenchy, Gucci bought 51% of his private label which gave him the capital to expand his business. In 2003 he was declared International Designer of the Year by the Council of Fashion Designers of America and a Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire by the Queen of England and even won another British Designer of the Year honour. Consequently Lee was opening stores all over the world, from Milan, London, Los Angeles, Las Vegas to New York (Biography.com Editors). What is admirable in my opinion about McQueen is how humble, down to earth and humane he was even after all of that fame. He did not care that he was homosexual nor that he came from an underprivileged family and did not let fame change who he was as he did not care about his looks or even how he dressed even if he was one of the worlds most famous fashion designers. He is also an inspiration for everyone to be proud of where we came from and never forget it but also be proud about our accomplishments. He also was not shy as he broke the laws of traditional fashion and was all about self expressionism. Additionally after his good friend Isabella Blow committed suicide in 2007 he dedicated an entire collection to show his love, respect and mourn towards her (DudBridge, 2020). Sadly, this legend in my opinion was lost too early at the age of 40 in 2010, McQueen committed suicide shortly after the death of his beloved mother. Those who knew him were not as shocked for their beloved friend as he had his dark moments but was also fast to run away taking as an example every time after his shows he would bolt away and avoid the congratulate party (Sischy, 2010). His legacy still goes on as the brand was taken over by his long time co designer Sarah Burton but the fashion house will never be the same without him. McQueen was one of my favourite old time designers and still is as I was introduced to him by my mother when I was little when I saw he Alexander McQueen bags and was mesmerised by the skulls on the bags, scarves etc. His work will never be forgotten as he revolutionised fashion to the better and inspired everyone to be themselves and stated that he did not deserve the fame but movie stars do as in his eyes he was just providing a service. I love McQueen and I believe he was one of the best designers to ever exist and not let fame affect his work or attitude. This research is contextual to my work as I will try to incorporate his ethic in my work meaning how he was not afraid to show his beliefs and personality through fashion, but also I was motivated to incorporate eccentric fashion as well. The theme of the busters will also be incorporated in my work but I will also be using some of his designs as inspiration.
DudBridge, S. (n.d.) Alexander Mcqueen [online] Catwalk Yourself, Available at: <http://www.catwalkyourself.com/fashion-biographies/alexander-mcqueen/> [Accessed 25 April 2021]
Encyclopedia Britannica (2021) Alexander McQueen [online] Available at: <https://www.britannica.com/biography/Alexander-McQueen> [Accessed 25 April 2021]
Milligan, L. (2020) Alexander McQueen [online] British Vogue, Available at: <https://www.vogue.co.uk/article/alexander-mcqueen-biography> [Accessed 25 April 2021]
Sischy, I. (2010) A Man of Darkness and Dreams [online] Vanity Fair, Available at: <https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2010/04/mcqueen-201004> [Accessed 25 April 2021]
Again, some really good insight into the work of your chosen research element, but think about making these posts more directed and purposeful. Research is all well and good when done in general terms, but stating how this is having an impact on your project is just as important.
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