(Style.com)
Lee
Alexander McQueen is a designer that brought a new vision to the world of
fashion in the twentieth century. His ability to intertwine the most
extravagant art forms with fashion has made him an icon in the industry for the
rest of time. McQueen was born on March 17, 1960 in Stepney, a part of London’s
East End. After tragically taking his own life, McQueen left this earth on
February 11th, 2010. He was only forty years old. McQueen was a part
of an eight-person family, he being the youngest sibling of six. His father
found work as English taxi man, and his mother a social science worker. (Knox
7) Coming from a modest upbringing, McQueen was seen as a foreigner to the
fashion world. He was never exposed directly to high fashion, but found a love
for design though his own interest. His attention to design first came at a
young age. At three he was drawing Cinderella in elaborate ball gowns, and as
he grew continued secretly sketching images of women’s clothing. McQueen left
school at age sixteen with an academic qualification in art. A year later he
found an apprenticeship at Anderson & Sheppard, a company that tailored to
the Prince of Wales. (Knox 7) He glided into the work with ease, cutting out shapes,
using chalk with great comfort, and working with patterns from different times
in history. One influence of his designs was born here, with the 16th
century patterns and designs. (Knox 8) Eventually McQueen left and found a
company that allowed his to express his creative mind. He began work at Angels
and Bermans, a company that catered to theatrical costumes and designs. Here is
where McQueen’s true early influence was found. His future designs consisted of
over the top, majestic pieces that were inspired by theatrical costumes and
designs. In 1992 McQueen returned to London, finding the path that would lead
him to create his own label. He completed a postgraduate course at Central St.
Martin’s College of Art and Design. (Knox 8) Alexander McQueen finally launched
his label in 2005 with help from Isabella Blow, former Fashion Editor of Vogue.
She insisted that he stay true to the vision he had for his designs, and helped
blend him into the world of fashion, introducing him to numerous names in the
business. McQueen grew in the fashion industry, creating a name for him, and
establishing collections that will forever remain pieces of fashion history. In
1996 McQueen was made chief designer at Givenchy, succeeding the famous
designer John Galliano. (Bolton 21) This put McQueen at the top in the fashion
world. While working at Givenchy, McQueen also put great effort into his own
label. His shows produced exquisite visuals, designs that were avant-garde,
sexual, and completely out of the norm. McQueen was now seen on top in the
fashion world. He was named British Designer of the Year in 1996, 1997, 2001,
and 2003. (Bolton)
Below are images of McQueens designs:
(Style Sight)
(Style Sight)
(Style Sight)
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Bibliography
“Alexander McQueen
Spring/Summer 2013” Style Sight. Web. 25 Nov. 2012.
“Alexander McQueen Beauty” Style Sight. Web. 25 Nov. 2012.
“Alexander McQueen Spring/Summer 2005” Style Sight. Web. 25
Nov. 2012.
“Alexander McQueen Fall/Winter 2006” Style Sight. Web. 25.
Nov. 2012.
“Alexander McQueen Spring/Summer 2008” Style Sight. Web. 25
Nov. 2012.
"Alexander McQueen, RIP: style file: daily fashion,
party, and model news." Style.com:
The Online Home of Fashion: News, Runway Shows, Trends, Fashion Models, Designers, Shopping, Beauty & More.
N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Nov. 2012.
Bolton, Andrew, Alexander McQueen, Susannah Frankel, Tim
Blanks, and Sølve Sundsbø. Alexander
McQueen: savage beauty. New York: Metropolitan Museum of Art ;, 2011. Print.
Knox, Kristin. Alexander McQueen: genius of a generation.
London: A&C Black, 2010. Print.
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