Alexander McQueen

ALEXANDER McQUEEN

The Designer:

Fashion designer. Lee Alexander McQueen was born on March 17, 1969 into a working-class family living in public housing in London's Lewisham district. 

At age 16, McQueen dropped out of school. He found work on Savile Row, a street in London's Mayfair district famous for offering made-to-order men's suits.

Deciding to further his clothes-making career, he moved on from Savile Row. McQueen began working with theatrical costume designers Angels and Bermans. The dramatic style of the clothing he made there would become a signature of his later independent design work. 

Read more at http://www.alexandermcqueen.com/experience/en/alexandermcqueen/biography/#id_article=137

Savage Beauty:

Thoughts:

It seems like more than a stroke of good fortune that the Alexander McQueen Savage Beauty exhibition was being displayed at the Victoria and Albert museum in London earlier this year, happening in conjunction with our final project on mask making. To have the chance to see McQueen’s collection in person has changed the way I think about design. He combines his talent with fashion with something bigger and braver than most could imagine. 

I can't recommend going to see his creations in person enough! The genius of his idea's not only in fashion but in the production of his shows need to be seen to be believed!

Ticket Information can be found at: 

http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/exhibitions/exhibition-alexander-mcqueen-savage-beauty/visitor-and-ticket-information/

The Book:

I admit to being slightly McQueen obsessed... I will be reading this from cover to cover over the summer!

Further Research:

As I research into him as a designer he is continually inspiring. Drawing from his appreciation of the natural world, he manages to take form combined with time-honoured design and change it just enough to retain a classical sense of beauty whilst creating something exotic and thought provoking – his creations are a true work of art. I will take inspiration from him with a feather headpiece for my final design that compliments my chosen theme - Pagan Mythology. 

A/W06 Runway Show Part 1
(part 2 follows)

Antler & Lace Headpiece A/W06

Makeup:

The makeup is also highly creative falling in line with the highest quality of work that makes up a McQueen show. Below is the Gazelle makeup from the 'It's a Jungle Out There!' show in Borough Market in February 1997.

In a television interview he said: “The whole show feeling was about the Thompson’s gazelle. It’s a poor little critter – the markings are lovely. It’s got these dark eyes, the white and black with the tan markings on the side, the horns – but it is the food chain of Africa. As soon as it’s born it’s dead, I mean you’re lucky if it lasts a few months, and that’s how I see human life, in the same way. You know, we can all be discarded quite easily … you’re there, you’re gone, it’s a jungle out there!”

Even Further Research:

Here is a half hour documentary created by the BBC, it gives a great insight into the person behind the designs - a must-see!

BBC Documentary 'The Works' 1997

Another documentary well worth a watch is 'McQueen and I' - Enjoy :)

References:

Alexander McQueen Fall 2006 Ready-to-Wear - Collection - Gallery - Style.com. 2015. Alexander McQueen Fall 2006 Ready-to-Wear - Collection - Gallery - Style.com. [ONLINE] Available at:http://www.style.com/slideshows/fashion-shows/fall-2006-ready-to-wear/alexander-mcqueen/collection/6. [Accessed 11 April 2015].

Alexander McQueen fall winter 2006 part 1 - YouTube. 2015. Alexander McQueen fall winter 2006 part 1 - YouTube. [ONLINE] Available at:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHb9RuQSSI8. [Accessed 11 April 2015].

BBC Documentary 'The Works' - Alexander McQueen 'Cutting Up Rough' 1997 (Full) - YouTube. 2015. BBC Documentary 'The Works' - Alexander McQueen 'Cutting Up Rough' 1997 (Full) - YouTube. [ONLINE] Available at:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=542vMeyma4g. [Accessed 11 April 2015].

McQueen And I - YouTube. 2015. McQueen And I - YouTube. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNK2mKT8n9o. [Accessed 11 April 2015].

. 2015. . [ONLINE] Available at:http://www.biography.com/people/alexander-mcqueen-541384. [Accessed 11 April 2015].

Exhibition - Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty - Victoria and Albert Museum. 2015. Exhibition - Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty - Victoria and Albert Museum. [ONLINE] Available at:http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/exhibitions/exhibition-alexander-mcqueen-savage-beauty/. [Accessed 11 April 2015].