McQueen- British fashion designer, creative genius and master of fashion

Two of my special friends gave me this book for my birthday this year. Alexander McQueen is one of my favourite designers and he is such a huge loss to the fashion world. Through his raw talent of emotional power, provocative fashion shows and refreshing energy- McQueen was, and still is, a genius of a generation. This book contains some stunning imagery of his work which I have used and will continue to still reference in my university work- or simply gain inspiration. 

Layers of draped chiffon inspired by the Greek Pantheon

Beautiful tie-dye printed chiffon dress, collar accentuated by a tropical- bird plumage. McQueen enjoyed using birds, especially birds of prey for inspiration in his work and fashion shows- he loved the silhouette.

This image above shows McQueen’s use of reptile skin in his Spring/Summer 2010 collection, this is still influenced in todays Autumn/Winter trends as this season snake skin is a must have.

We still can see the designer’s influence left in others collections Left image from McQueen’s Spring/Summer 2001 collection, right image found in September 2011 Vogue advertising Prada. You can really see the similar features.

Again these images were found in Vogue September 2011 issue, showing the usage of birds of prey, for example the crow or a fierce bird of prey to create a threatening and dramatic form of art. McQueen made a whole Spring collection based on birds in memory of the late Isabella Blow- the woman who discovered him. The above are examples that show McQueen’s work is still influenced through others, to gain a similar reaction- but they will never have the same reaction as McQueen’s work had.

The spring 2011 Costume Institute exhibition at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty, was on view May 4th 2011 through to early August. The exhibition rejoices the late McQueen's extraordinary contributions to fashion. Starting with his Central Saint Martins postgraduate collection in 1992 through to his final runway presentation, which showcased after his death. Many of the British and others feel it is scandalous that this exhibition was not brought to London as McQueen is from there and his designs were inspired by it. There are many petitions around to bring this exhibition to London, I for one will be signing this, If you agree and want this to happen please click on the link below:
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/bringmcqueenexhibitionhome/
McQueen challenged and expanded our understanding of fashion beyond utility to a conceptual expression of culture, politics, and identity- he will never be forgotten.