Alexander McQueen (1969-2010)
Introduction/Biography
(women wears daily - wwd.com )
“Fashion and art are coming closer together and there is an enormous amount of intermingling of the two that’s unfavorable since both are visual stimulants”
-Alexander McQueen.
Alexander McQueen was born in London 1969 to a taxi driver and social science teacher. Growing up with five other siblings, McQueen’s family was considered as part of the working class. In his early life, Alexander McQueen found himself as homosexual and had a difficult time in school. He was usually teased by many of his classmate. Unfortunately, Alexander McQueen dropped out of school at age 16 and began working at a tailor shop Anderson and Shephard. Alexander McQueen’s life changed when he decided that clothes making is his career. Moving on from working at Anderson and Shephard, Alexander McQueen began his new job working with theatrical custom designer, Angels and Berman. The style of the clothing design he made while working with Angels and Berman has become the signature of his later work. Alexander McQueen enters Central Saint Martin’s College of Art and Design and obtained a Master Degree in Fashion Design. Leading to his success, Alexander McQueen opened his first business designing women’s clothes. His successes has continued on from there.
“Early in his career, he often relied on historical references, particularly corsets and Victorian dresses that were slashed, torn, or manipulated…” (Palomo-Lovinski 174). In many of his collection, Alexander McQueen’s designs are not made to be wearable clothing. In fact, he is a theatrical costume designer. He was greatly influences by many movies, Charles Darwin theory of natural selections, Victorian era, and historical references. Many of these inspirations are presented in Alexander McQueen’s collection.
-Alexander McQueen.
Alexander McQueen was born in London 1969 to a taxi driver and social science teacher. Growing up with five other siblings, McQueen’s family was considered as part of the working class. In his early life, Alexander McQueen found himself as homosexual and had a difficult time in school. He was usually teased by many of his classmate. Unfortunately, Alexander McQueen dropped out of school at age 16 and began working at a tailor shop Anderson and Shephard. Alexander McQueen’s life changed when he decided that clothes making is his career. Moving on from working at Anderson and Shephard, Alexander McQueen began his new job working with theatrical custom designer, Angels and Berman. The style of the clothing design he made while working with Angels and Berman has become the signature of his later work. Alexander McQueen enters Central Saint Martin’s College of Art and Design and obtained a Master Degree in Fashion Design. Leading to his success, Alexander McQueen opened his first business designing women’s clothes. His successes has continued on from there.
“Early in his career, he often relied on historical references, particularly corsets and Victorian dresses that were slashed, torn, or manipulated…” (Palomo-Lovinski 174). In many of his collection, Alexander McQueen’s designs are not made to be wearable clothing. In fact, he is a theatrical costume designer. He was greatly influences by many movies, Charles Darwin theory of natural selections, Victorian era, and historical references. Many of these inspirations are presented in Alexander McQueen’s collection.
Designs
Critical Analysis
Alexander McQueen’s work reflects the zeitgeist or spirit of the times because his collections during that time period were stunning. He was able to transfer a historic reference piece into something for the 21st century. During the time period in which Alexander McQueen has lived there were many political, social, technological, and economic changes. He stated “Fashion is so indicative of the political and social climate in which we live, what we wear will always be a symptom of our environment” (Palomo-Lovinski 176). Some of the major events that happened during the time he lived were the Vietnam War, The World Wide Web made publicity available, George W. Bush became 43rd U.S President, and the first Apple iPhone goes on sale (Werle 145).
Even before becoming a successful fashion designer, Alexander McQueen was inspired and influenced by many historical references and many great designers like Christian Dior, Vivienne Westwood, and Jean Paul Gaultier. Like Christian Dior, Alexander McQueen shared a similar talent for extreme and sharp tailoring. In Alexander McQueen’s 2009 collection, he was inspired into creating pieces that shaped the body rather than body shaping the clothing. Vivienne Westwood was known for her historical dresses and manipulated into something totally different. Alexander McQueen who was considered a young rebellious of his time was greatly influenced by Vivienne ideas of the Victorian era. Jean Paul Gaultier was known for using sexual design for the female image; Alexander McQueen explores these ideas in many of his collections.
Alexander McQueen is an icon because he is such a talented designer, who grew up in a big family and had faced many challenges when he was young. Alexander McQueen was able to follow his dream of doing something he loved, which is having a career as a clothes-maker. “Alexander McQueen’s impact is a force beyond trend or style dictate. Effortlessly melding fashion, art, and concept with amazing tailoring and technical genius, McQueen took fashion forward and propelled the dialogue of fashion beyond clothing into a much larger realm” (Palomo-Lovinski 174). His early death represents a great loss to the fashion industry because his talents are unique in both vision and taste.
Even before becoming a successful fashion designer, Alexander McQueen was inspired and influenced by many historical references and many great designers like Christian Dior, Vivienne Westwood, and Jean Paul Gaultier. Like Christian Dior, Alexander McQueen shared a similar talent for extreme and sharp tailoring. In Alexander McQueen’s 2009 collection, he was inspired into creating pieces that shaped the body rather than body shaping the clothing. Vivienne Westwood was known for her historical dresses and manipulated into something totally different. Alexander McQueen who was considered a young rebellious of his time was greatly influenced by Vivienne ideas of the Victorian era. Jean Paul Gaultier was known for using sexual design for the female image; Alexander McQueen explores these ideas in many of his collections.
Alexander McQueen is an icon because he is such a talented designer, who grew up in a big family and had faced many challenges when he was young. Alexander McQueen was able to follow his dream of doing something he loved, which is having a career as a clothes-maker. “Alexander McQueen’s impact is a force beyond trend or style dictate. Effortlessly melding fashion, art, and concept with amazing tailoring and technical genius, McQueen took fashion forward and propelled the dialogue of fashion beyond clothing into a much larger realm” (Palomo-Lovinski 174). His early death represents a great loss to the fashion industry because his talents are unique in both vision and taste.
Analysis of Future Trends
(Stylesight)
Future trend is something important in the fashion industry world. Alexander McQueen has influenced such trend that will continue into the future. He allowed his wild and unique inspiration corporate into his collection. He has changed the way anyone has seen fashion many years back. Today, Alexander McQueen was known for his unique style of clothing on the runway that is not made to be wearing every day. He has so many interpretations on things that he was inspired by. Being such a talented designer, Alexander McQueen has inspired many younger generation.
Not only did Alexander McQueen create a lasting influences but he also influenced a great amount of designers. Zac Posen was influenced by Alexander McQueen’s ideas of the 1940’s and Victorian era and created something new in his 2009 collection. Zac Posen has suggested the idea of new contemporary beauty and sexuality (Palomo-Lovinski 176). Riccardo Tisci who also worked for Givenchy has followed Alexander McQueen’s footstep into referenced warrior women ideas and many fabulous historical dresses that are mixed with contemporary underworld symbol. Designers like Gareth Pugh were also greatly inspired by Alexander McQueen’s work and also struggles many criticism during his runway collection. “Pugh uses diverse costume and historical references, such as samurai warrior, gothic romanticism, and the Elizabethan era, and creates women who look as if they are plugging headlong battle” (Palomo-Lovinski 177). These are only a few designers that were greatly influenced by Alexander McQueen and the list goes on.
Facing many struggles in his early work, Alexander McQueen did eventually creates a lasting signature. “The early death of McQueen, whose talents were unique in vision and genius, represents an astounding loss to the fashion world” (Palomo-Lovinski 177). He was recognized as a brilliant rebel who does things that were out of the control. Obviously, to Alexander McQueen there are no such rules to fashion world he lived in. His creativity and imagination has created a lasting signature and influenced many younger generation.
Not only did Alexander McQueen create a lasting influences but he also influenced a great amount of designers. Zac Posen was influenced by Alexander McQueen’s ideas of the 1940’s and Victorian era and created something new in his 2009 collection. Zac Posen has suggested the idea of new contemporary beauty and sexuality (Palomo-Lovinski 176). Riccardo Tisci who also worked for Givenchy has followed Alexander McQueen’s footstep into referenced warrior women ideas and many fabulous historical dresses that are mixed with contemporary underworld symbol. Designers like Gareth Pugh were also greatly inspired by Alexander McQueen’s work and also struggles many criticism during his runway collection. “Pugh uses diverse costume and historical references, such as samurai warrior, gothic romanticism, and the Elizabethan era, and creates women who look as if they are plugging headlong battle” (Palomo-Lovinski 177). These are only a few designers that were greatly influenced by Alexander McQueen and the list goes on.
Facing many struggles in his early work, Alexander McQueen did eventually creates a lasting signature. “The early death of McQueen, whose talents were unique in vision and genius, represents an astounding loss to the fashion world” (Palomo-Lovinski 177). He was recognized as a brilliant rebel who does things that were out of the control. Obviously, to Alexander McQueen there are no such rules to fashion world he lived in. His creativity and imagination has created a lasting signature and influenced many younger generation.
Work Cited
"Alexander McQueen Biography." Bio.com. A&E Networks Television, n.d. Web. 16 Nov. 2012. <http://www.biography.com/people/alexander-mcqueen-541384>.
"Discover Online Exclusives." Home : Berg Fashion Library. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Dec. 2012. <http://www.bergfashionlibrary.com/search?pageSize=10>.
Palomo-Lovinski, Nöel. "Alexander McQueen." The World's Most Influential Fashion Designers: Hidden Connections and Lasting Legacies of Fashion's Iconic Creators. New York, NY: Barron's, 2010. 174-77. Print.
Stylesight. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Dec. 2012. <http://www.stylesight.com/search/search.php>.
Werle, Simone. "Alexander McQueen." 50 Fashion Designers You Should Know. Munich: Prestel, 2010. 144-47. Print.
"Discover Online Exclusives." Home : Berg Fashion Library. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Dec. 2012. <http://www.bergfashionlibrary.com/search?pageSize=10>.
Palomo-Lovinski, Nöel. "Alexander McQueen." The World's Most Influential Fashion Designers: Hidden Connections and Lasting Legacies of Fashion's Iconic Creators. New York, NY: Barron's, 2010. 174-77. Print.
Stylesight. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Dec. 2012. <http://www.stylesight.com/search/search.php>.
Werle, Simone. "Alexander McQueen." 50 Fashion Designers You Should Know. Munich: Prestel, 2010. 144-47. Print.