02.05.2020

Fashion designer McQueen. The best collections of Alexander McQueen. Love bordering on death

On February 11, 2010, an endless stream of people came to the house of this famous designer to pay tribute to the memory of the impudent provocateur, whose collection shows were more like art installations than a regular fashion show. On this day, Alexander McQueen committed suicide at the peak of his career, and his suicide caused a real shock.

A talented artist who created not dresses, but genuine masterpieces that need to be carefully examined, did not at all resemble a prim and cold Englishman. He was called a black sheep, an eccentric and a "terrible child" of British fashion, and the master, not paying attention to the labels hung by the press, created clothes that left no one indifferent.

short biography

Alexander McQueen was born in 1969 in London. The boy grew up as a freedom-loving hooligan, did not go to school, but it was not this that caused disapproval of his parents, but his son's strange passion - an irresistible desire to come up with sketches of unusual outfits. At the age of 16, the teenager drops out of school and gets a job as an apprentice in an atelier, later he works as a costume designer in a theater studio and sews outfits according to old patterns.

Soon Alexander moves to Milan, where he receives a diploma from the College of Art and Design. In 1992, he released his debut collection under the frightening title "Jack the Ripper hunts down the victims." The diploma work after a brilliant show was completely bought out by the main fashionista in London - stylist and editor of Vogue magazine I. Blow, and Alexander McQueen gains fame in fashion circles.

It was Isabella who was engaged in propaganda young talent, helped the future star to register his Alexander McQueen brand, and his new collection "Girl Living in a Tree" was dedicated to his beloved friend, who three years before the designer's death committed suicide by taking a dose of pesticides. The hooligan continued to shock the audience with unusual images and outfits: models walked around the catwalk wrapped in plastic, and their faces were covered in makeup in the form of bruises.

After the death of his patroness, a new collection of the maestro, who is grieving for the loss, comes out. The main decoration of the show called "The Blue Lady" is a dress decorated with falcon wings.

Shows reminiscent of theatrical performances

The genius continued to amaze: he led fashion models in torn clothes onto a gravel-covered podium, an athlete with amputated legs, who defiled on wooden prostheses, and then completely replaced the models with mannequins rotating around their axis.

Critics wrote that McQueen clothes were "unfit for life", and the designer did not pay attention to spiteful critics and created works without the slightest hint of commerce. He worked with the stars of modern show business, and Madonna, D. Hall, W. Houston, S. J. Parker and many others flaunted in his outfits. Alexander McQueen, whose photo appeared every day in various publications, received the titles of the best designer in England.

He turned his fashion shows into a theatrical performance, where clothes became part of it. Outfits from Alexander are real art, which is demonstrated by fashion models, and the master himself stated that he did not want his masterpieces to be on everyone, otherwise the meaning of the author's message is lost. “I wanted to show people what they don’t want to see. There is poverty, hunger, blood in the world, and the interests of many are limited only to fashion. I spend money so that the audience pays attention to the other side of life,” the designer said.

Alexander McQueen Collections

His shows were colorful shows, which many dreamed of being on. So, the collection "It's just a game" delighted those present by the fact that the podium turned into a chessboard, where they defiled as pieces in long dresses models.

"Cornucopia" is another sensational collection that has caused mixed emotions. Girls with vulgarly painted faces showed outfits made of duck feathers, and on the head of each fashion model were covers from garbage cans.

During "Highland Violence," the designer showed off low-cut trousers at the hips, and girls who looked like victims of sexual violence walked around in torn plaid dresses. Critics immediately called this collection "misogynistic".

McQueen, who dreamed of involving his audience in the theatrical process, at the Voss show in 2001 built a huge mirror cube instead of a podium, in which people were reflected. After some time, the walls of the box became absolutely transparent and fashion models walked inside it.

Last show

In 2010, the last collection of the maestro, who passed away so early, comes out. "Plato's Atlantis" was dedicated to world environmental problems, and after the show, the audience gave a standing ovation to the author of the stunning outfits. The designer has created amazing beautiful dresses, decorated with snake patterns and images of fictional animals. Unusual image was complemented by unique shoes, which were called alien. Even critics who have seen a lot this time recognized the collection as a true work of art.

Suicide

The brilliant Alexander McQueen, whose biography was often the subject of gossip, made grandiose plans and dreamed that his brand for a long time was a trendsetter of style and fashion. However, the provocateur capital letter could not survive the death of his beloved mother and committed suicide three days later. According to his close friends, the designer was in a state of deepest depression. He was a very vulnerable and timid man who could not cope with grief, having lost himself. loved one.

The collection that came out after the death of the maestro

In 2010, an unfinished collection was shown behind closed doors, and only the world's leading fashion designers and editors of glossy magazines were invited to the farewell show. The main motive was the appeal to historical images.

Always dreamed of conveying the atmosphere early medieval and it is no coincidence that Alexander McQueen turned to his art. The floor-length gowns, adorned with images of demons and angels, were embellished with patterns by the popular wood carver Gibbons, which were applied to the fabric by projecting the craftsman's work. Luxurious outfits made a huge impression on all those present, and the press noted that this collection was the crowning achievement of the great master of our time.

genius nugget

Alexander McQueen, who changed the idea of fashion, created eye-catching collections, and the audience was immersed in the alluring world of wonderful fantasies. He was ardently loved, openly admired, and just as fiercely hated and misunderstood. However, each show of the brand was eagerly awaited, because the extravagant performance was radically different from all other shows. The ingenious creator was offered to lead the fashion house Yves Saint Laurent, but he refused, saying that he would never sew little black dresses.

The nugget designer did not play by the rules and evoked real emotions in people.

In contact with

Lee Alexander McQueen is an English fashion designer. Commander of the Order british empire, four times recognized as the best British fashion designer of the year.

Biography

Born in London in a family of hereditary weavers. He began his career in the fashion world at the age of 16 working in the workshops of Savile Row. Specialized in men's suits for high society. After graduating from St. Martin's College of Art, he worked for the Japanese designer Koji Tatsuno, then for the Italian fashion designer R. Gigli in Milan. In 1997, he took the place of art director at the Givenchy house instead of John Galliano. In early 2001, he left Givenchy and launched his own fashion line.

In May 2007, he attracted the attention of the public with his interviews after the suicide of his girlfriend Isabella Blow (Eng. Isabella Blow).

He was found hanged in his own apartment on February 11, 2010. According to the British news channel Sky News, the preliminary cause of death, later confirmed by a forensic medical examination, was suicide. On February 2, McQueen's mother Joyce died, causing Alexander's depression. British police have confirmed that the designer hanged himself in the dressing room of his home, leaving a suicide note.

Career

After leaving school, 16-year-old McQueen began working as an apprentice at Andersen & Shepherd's atelier ( Anderson and Shepherd), then as a tailor in the workshops of Savile Row. In the atelier, he specialized in tailor-made men's suits for high society. His clients included the Prince of Wales, Lord Rothschild and Mikhail Gorbachev. Then he worked in the costume department of the Bermans and Nathan Theater. In 1991, McQueen graduated from London's St. Martin's College of Art. His graduation work was the collection Jack the Ripper Stalks His Victims("Jack the Ripper hunts down his victims").

After graduating from college, he worked first for the Japanese designer Koji Tatsuno, then in Milan for the Italian fashion designer Romeo Gigli. In 1994, McQueen presented her own ready-to-wear collection at London Fashion Week. For the next few years, he leads the life of a freelance artist and earns a reputation as a talented bully.

Ed Kavishe, CC BY 3.0

In 1996, he was invited to the post of artistic director of the fashion house Givenchy. In 2001, he left this house and went to work for the company Gucci Group.

In October 2005, the designer created a collection of sports shoes for the company Puma. In January 2006, he launched a line of inexpensive clothing designed for young people - McQ. At the beginning of 2007 the firm Samsonite Black Label released suitcases of his design, with a pattern reminiscent of human chest. In the autumn of the same year, McQueen opened his fourth branded boutique in Moscow (the previous ones were opened in London, Milan and New York).

Dirk Ingo Franke, CC BY-SA 3.0

In 2009, he created costumes for the play "Eonagata", dedicated to the mystery of Chevalier d'Eon - joint project director Robert Lepage, choreographer Russell Malifant and ballerina Sylvie Guillem.

Anthony Citrano, CC BY 2.0

February 18, 2010 McQueen was supposed to take part in a major charity project in London, the proceeds of which will go to help victims of the earthquake on the island of Haiti.

Suicide

On February 11, 2010 at 10:20 am, Alexander McQueen was found hanged in his apartment in Green Park, London. The great fashion designer passed away a few days after the death of his mother, who died of cancer.

McQueen's suicide note read:

“Take care of my dogs, I'm sorry, I love you. Lee."

Anya, CC BY 2.0

Experts found significant levels of cocaine, tranquilizers and sleeping pills in the designer's blood. As it turned out later, in last days McQueen was depressed. Shortly before his death, he broke up with a boyfriend and was very upset by the death of his mother.

Photo gallery

Helpful information

Lee Alexander McQueen
English Lee Alexander McQueen

brief information

Awards and recognition

For his work, Alexander McQueen was named "British Designer of the Year" in 1996, 1997, 2001 and 2003; "Designer of the Year" by the Designers Council of America (CFDA) in 2003. He received the Fashion Directors Award for the 2007 McQ Collection and other awards.

In the summer of 2003, Alexander McQueen was awarded the Order of the British Empire and the corresponding title of Commander.

Family

Alexander McQueen was openly gay.

In 2000 he concluded civil marriage with British documentary filmmaker George Forsyth.

Celebrity biographies

6865

13.10.15 09:40

He adored his dogs and arranged incredible (and sometimes scandalous) shows out of fashion shows, he was too worried about the death of his mother and after it put an end to own biography. Celebrities from all over the world came to see off Alexander McQueen: from Björk and Naomi Campbell to Lady Gaga and Anna Wintour. Maybe a talented fashion designer hastened to leave?

Biography of Alexander McQueen

Sewed dresses for sisters

Mother - an English teacher and father - a Scottish taxi driver, probably did not think that they were raising the future great couturier. The Londoners McQueens had already grown five children when the sixth child appeared in the family - a boy. Born on March 17, 1969, Ronald and Joyce decided to name their son Lee Alexander.

Lee's passion for designing dresses began as a teenager. After all, he grew up in big family, every penny counts, so the boy helped out his father and mother, starting to invent styles of outfits for his older sisters and sewing a little. The biography of Alexander McQueen, yesterday's graduate of the school, continued in the Anderson & Sheppard studio: he began as an apprentice tailor. Then he began tailoring at Gieves & Hawkes and tried himself as a theater costume designer at Angels & Bermans. At first, Lee Alexander worked on men's suits, its services were used by members royal family and others famous people(for example, the Prince of Wales and Russian President Mikhail Gorbachev).

Under the wing of Isabella Blow

Soon McQueen became a student at Central Saint Martins and was very diligent in comprehending the intricacies of craftsmanship. His thesis made a lasting impression on stylist and fashion editor Isabella Blow. The name of the collection was also impressive: "Jack the Ripper Stalks His Victims", which means "Jack the Ripper hunts down his victims." Blow took the college graduate under her wing and offered to register the brand "Alexander McQueen", henceforth the Briton preferred his middle name.

Having worked for the Japanese Tatsumo and the Italian Gigli, in 1994 Alexander presented his debut collection (at London Fashion Week). Since then, each show of his models was more like a provocative performance, and the dresses themselves were striking in their eccentricity. Fashion models came out on the podium either in elegant rags (so the couturier, proud of his Scottish roots, saw the fate of his people as part of the United Kingdom), or defiled in snow-white clothes (and special projectors “applied” the pattern to the fabric). He attracted models from India to the fashion show and the Paralympic champion, American Aimee Mullins, who instead of legs below the knee has prostheses.

I need air: More creative space!

When McQueen was 27 years old, Bernard Arnault offered him profitable contract: to take the place of John Galliano as chief designer of Givenchy Fashion House. A year later, Icelandic Björk, who loves everything extravagant, asked Alexander to “dress up” her for the cover of the new Homogenic disc, he was so carried away that he directed her video. Since then, celebrities have been linked by a strong friendship.

Being a "trendsetter" of the legendary French brand is, of course, flattering, but here Alexander's fantasies in terms of shows had to be curtailed, and he himself needed more "creative space". And in 2001, he said goodbye to Givenchy. McQueen began to collaborate with the Gucci Group: he opened his own label and became the creative director of his own company. He delighted the audience coming to the shows with new ideas: on the catwalk he "had a disaster" big ship, and the next time his fashion models became chess pieces on an impromptu "board" (2005 collection "It's just a game").

Four times the best

In 2003, the young designer was awarded honorary award- He became a Commander of the Order of the British Empire. And in 2005, a new milestone appeared in the biography of Alexander McQueen: an alliance with sports shoe manufacturers Puma. A year later, the couturier released a new clothing line - for youth ("McQ").

Alexander has been named the best British designer four times. The fame of the magician McQueen went around the world: in 2007, his boutiques were scattered across countries and continents (London, Milan, Moscow, New York, Las Vegas, Los Angeles).

Glory is for the stars

Hollywood celebrities increasingly chose his dresses for "ceremonial occasions." Among his clients were Sarah Jessica Parker and Rihanna, Nicole Kidman and Penelope Cruz, and Bjork. The fashion designer himself believed that fame should belong to the stars: "It's good when people know your work, but we only provide services!"

Personal life of Alexander McQueen

Failed marriage

Alexander never hid his orientation: he realized in his youth that he was “not like that.” Already at the age of 18, he opened his family. The family was shocked at first, but quickly reconciled. In 2000, he tried to turn his life into a family channel and married documentary filmmaker George Forsythe. True, this marriage had no power: the event took place in Ibiza, and in Spain same-sex unions were not considered legal. The couple broke up a year later. Nothing more is known about Alexander McQueen's personal life.

Tragedies he didn't survive

In 2007 (after the second suicide attempt), Isabella Blow leaves. This death was like an ax blow for Alexander: he took the loss hard. Not much time will pass, and he will lose another loved one: his mother, Joyce, was killed by cancer. It happened at the beginning of February 2010.

Nine days after this tragedy, on the 11th, the son will follow his mother. No one will really understand what made a talented and very rich man at the age of 40 say goodbye to this world and hang himself in the dressing room. Maybe depression is to blame, or maybe drugs, because cocaine and tranquilizers were found in Alexander's blood. The fashion designer left £50,000 to his dogs and donated a lot of money to charity. And the farewell note said: "Take care of my dogs, I'm sorry, I love you, Lee."

Celebrity biographies

6866

13.10.15 09:40

He adored his dogs and arranged incredible (and sometimes scandalous) shows from fashion shows, he was too worried about the death of his mother and after it put an end to his own biography. Celebrities from all over the world came to see off Alexander McQueen: from Björk and Naomi Campbell to Lady Gaga and Anna Wintour. Maybe a talented fashion designer hastened to leave?