Fashion Designer Alexander McQueen

     

Lee Alexander McQueen was born  in Lewisham, London on March 17, 1969, a British  fashion designer and couturier best known for his in-depth knowledge of bespoke British tailoring, his tendency to juxtapose female strength and sensuality with fragility in his collections, as well as the emotional power and raw energy of his provocative fashion shows.

McQueen dropped out of school when he was 16 and found work on Savile Row, a street in London's Mayfair district famous for offering made-to-order men's suits. He worked first with the tailor shop Anderson and Shephard, and then moved to nearby Gieves and Hawkes.

McQueen decided to further his clothes-making career, and 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. McQueen left London for a short stint in Milan, where he worked as a design assistant to Italian fashion designer Romeo Gigli. When he came back to London, he enrolled at Central Saint Martin's College of Art & Design, and received his M.A. in fashion design in 1992.
He became head designer of the Louis Vuitton-owned Givenchy fashion line in 2004 and launched his own menswear line. He earned the British Fashion Council's British Designer of the Year award four times, and was named Commander of the Order of the British Empire.
 McQueen died in February 2010.

Björk the Icelandic singer sought McQueen’s work in 1997 for the cover of her album Homogenic. McQueen also directed the music video for her song “Alarm Call” from the same album.

Sarah Burton

Sarah joined the McQueen brand in 1996 as an intern, the year of 2000 she was appointed  head of womenswear working as McQueen's right hand and after McQueen's death she completed the Autumn/Winter 2010-2011 collection. She was named Creative Director of Fashion for London division.

Sarah Burton, Feminine dress  VS Alexander McQueen masculine dress

Motivated by the work of Alexander McQueen, McQ looks to reference the essence and spirit of youth and sub cultures. The concepts of anarchy, rebellion and revolution are never far from the seasonal fundaments. McQ transcends generational and geographic borders and is governed by new rules and new influences. McQ stands out from the crowd with a unique, modern attitude, featuring collections that speak a distinctly urban language. 

For the Autumn Winter 2012 Collection, McQ takes inspiration from quintessential British traditions and outdoor pursuits, with references including the military,1940s land girls,  the great outdoors and equestrian style. Elements of Victoriana also feature, with the puff sleeves and buttoned collars   of the period reworked for a modern wardrobe. The collection distils the essence of British heritage and its subcultures, using mod, skinhead and punk elements captured in a collection that celebrates youth and irreverence.