Alexander McQueen was a creative and artistic genius who died too soon. However, in his short life he made a tremendous contribution to the world of fashion. Themes of love and beauty were central to his vision of fashion. Nature was another central theme in his work.

Alexander McQueen wanted his runway shows to provoke strong emotions in his audience. Every runway show had a narrative and was staged with dramatic flair.

Alexander McQueen was known for his notorious theatrical and often controversial shows. He pushed boundaries and tried to bust fashion out of its commercial confines. His runway shows were lavish, unorthodox and voyeuristic with elaborate props and presentations which blurred the lines between runway shows and installation art.

Lee Alexander McQueen was born on March 17, 1969 in Lewisham, South London. McQueen attended the Central Saint Martins College of Art & Design. He was discovered by the former fashion editor of Vogue, Isabella Blowentir, who purchased the entire McQueen graduate collection and became a friend and mentor to him. She convinced him to adopt his middle name, Alexander, as the forename for his label.

Alexander McQueen was voted Designer of the Year four times by the British Fashion Council in 1996, 1997, 2001 and 2003. He also won International Designer of the Year from the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA). In 2003 he was knighted and appointed C.B.E (Commander of the British Empire) by her Majesty the Queen.

Alexander McQueen engineered digital prints in his “Plato’s Atlantis’  Spring/Summer 2010 collection (his last show), in which he featured reptilian prints in vibrant green, turquoise and brown colors with matching 12-inch-high ‘armadillo shoes’.  Lady Gaga wore his creations in her 2010 music video Bad Romance.

Lady Gaga in Alexander McQueen

Sadly, he took his own life on February 11,2010, a week after his mother passed away. He was forty years old. Anna Wintour, editor of Vogue, called him “one of the greatest talents of his generation.”

Alexander Mc Queen pictured with his mother

Image: The Guardian

Alexander Mc Queen’s  last collection (autumn/winter 2010-2011 collection) was completed by Sarah Burton, who designed the Duchess of Cambridge’s wedding dress.

Sarah Burton is the current creative designer at Alexander McQueen.

Sarah Burton/The Duchess of Cambridge

photo: people.com

Alexander McQueen men’s suit @LACMA

#ReigningMen exhibit

photo by Angela Cohan