Alexander McQueen is one of the eponymous names associated with the British fashion industry.  In fact, you cannot have a discussion regarding English designers without his name and reputation taking the driver’s seat.  His aesthetic, vision and body of work is distinctively British and his status has been sealed posthumously in the fashion domain for eternity.

McQueen’s reign began after his graduation (from Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design in London where he received a masters degree in fashion design) collection was bought in its entirety by influential fashion stylist Isabella Blow, who was said to have persuaded McQueen to become known as Alexander (his middle name) when he subsequently launched his fashion career.  Blow had the prestige, name, and financial backing to give McQueen a strong start in the business.  She actually supported him his entire career until her tragic end in 2009.  McQueen’s private collections had received mass attention for their artistry, innovation and shock value. Controversy followed suit wherever he went.The president of LVMH, Bernard Arnault, caused a stir when he appointed McQueen head designer at Givenchy in 1996, succeeding John Galliano.  McQueen was responsible for revitalizing the brand and modernizing the French fashion house.  In 2001, McQueen ventured out on his own once again and continued to dominate the high fashion runways.

We remember Alexander (“Lee” as he was privately known) McQueen, who perished at his own hand, in 2010, as a wild bird and an uncontrolled, creative and ethereal being who lived in the house of a sensitive spirit.  An imagination without restraint.

“I think you don’t do work for controversy alone, and whenever you do new work which people don’t understand and they say it is done to create controversy.“

Attribution to The New York Observer, Mrs. Julien, Totatema