Alexander McQueen

Alexander McQueen was one of the most celebrated fashion designers of his generation, known for his highly original designs that married artistry with exceptional technical ability. He was born in London in 1969 and grew up in a working-class family. He left school at 16 and became an apprentice tailor on Savile Row, where he learned the skills of cutting and fitting. He later worked for theatrical costumiers and designers in London and Milan. He enrolled at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design in 1990 and graduated with a master's degree in fashion design in 1992. His graduation collection was bought by fashion editor Isabella Blow, who became his mentor and friend. He founded his own Alexander McQueen label in 1992 and quickly gained recognition as an enfant terrible of British fashion. His designs were often inspired by history, art, nature, and subcultures, and featured sharp tailoring, dramatic silhouettes, and controversial elements. He won four British Designer of the Year awards (1996, 1997, 2001 and 2003) and the CFDA's International Designer of the Year award in 2003. He was also appointed as the chief designer at Givenchy from 1996 to 2001, where he created haute couture collections as well as ready-to-wear lines. In 2000, he sold 51person of his company to the Gucci Group, which enabled him to expand his brand globally and diversify his products. He designed a total of 36 collections for his own label, including his unfinished final collection that was presented posthumously in 2010. He also collaborated with other artists and celebrities, such as Björk, Lady Gaga, David Bowie, and Sarah Jessica Parker. McQueen's catwalk shows were renowned for their theatricality and spectacle, often incorporating elements of performance art, technology, music, and film. Some of his most memorable shows include Highland Rape (Autumn,Winter 1995), which explored the history of Scotland and England; No. 13 (Spring,Summer 1999), which featured a model being spray-painted by robots; Voss (Spring,Summer 2001), which revealed a glass box containing a naked woman with moths; and Plato's Atlantis (Spring,Summer 2010), which was live-streamed on the internet and introduced the armadillo shoes. McQueen's personal life was marked by struggles with depression, anxiety, drug abuse, and loneliness. He had several relationships with men, but none lasted long. He was deeply affected by the deaths of his close friends Isabella Blow in 2007 and Alexander McQueen in 2010. He also suffered from the loss of his mother Joyce, who died on 2 February 2010 after a long illness. He hanged himself at his home in Mayfair, London on 11 February 2010, the eve of her funeral. He left a note saying "I love you". He was cremated at Kensal Green Cemetery on 25 February 2010 and his ashes were later interred at Kew Cemetery. McQueen's legacy in fashion and culture is immense. His designs have been exhibited in several retrospective exhibitions, such as Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty (2011 and 2015) and Lee Alexander McQueen: Mind, Mythos, Muse (2022). He has been the subject of numerous books, documentaries, films, and tributes. His influence can be seen in many contemporary designers and artists who admire his vision, creativity, and craftsmanship.