Alexander McQueen is a British fashion brand that specializes in women's and men's clothing, as well as luxury accessories.
As quoted by the renowned designer himself, "Alexander McQueen was not discovered by anyone. He discovered himself!"
Nevertheless, there was an individual in the life of the celebrated designer who played a significant role in establishing the global recognition of the Alexander McQueen brand. This occurred in 1991 when Alexander, then a student at the Saint Martin's School of Arts and Design, presented his diploma collection inspired by the infamous serial killer Jack the Ripper, who operated in London in 1888. His work caught the attention of Harper's Bazaar fashion editor, Isabella Blow, who immediately offered to purchase the entire collection. This event proved to be instrumental in establishing Alexander McQueen as a prominent high fashion designer.
In 1992, with Isabella Blow's support, the young designer founded the fashion house "Alexander McQueen," naming it after himself. From that point forward, the world of high fashion was captivated by his avant-garde shows, featuring models walking the runway adorned in cellophane bags, blood-stained bandages, and torn garments, embodying the personas of vampires, corpses, and witches. The designer was subsequently labeled as the enfant terrible of English fashion. Alexander McQueen consistently stood out for his rebellious nature. An anecdote illustrating this is his time working at the esteemed Anderson & Sheppard tailoring house. While crafting a suit for Prince Charles, Alexander inscribed a vulgar expression with a marker on the lining, which resulted in his immediate dismissal. Shortly after, Alexander McQueen began working as a costume designer at the London theater "Angels and Bermans," where he created costumes based on authentic 16th-century patterns, which later became prototypes for his collections under the Alexsander McQueen brand.
In 1998, Alexander McQueen unveiled a new collection titled "Untitled," once again astounding the audience. Models sashayed down the runway amidst artificially produced rainfall, causing the mannequins' dresses to become translucent due to their soaked state. Alexander McQueen consistently aimed to mesmerize spectators with his provocative shows, prioritizing spectacle and extravagance in his designs.
In 2010, the Alexander McQueen fashion house unveiled its latest collection, "Plato's Atlantis," which included the iconic "Armadillo Heels" shoes with 30-centimeter heels. This collection marked the final chapter in the life of the esteemed designer, as he tragically passed away in February 2011.
A new chapter for the Alexander McQueen brand commenced with the appointment of Sarah Burton as the creative director. She had been a student and assistant of McQueen himself. Sarah introduced her own artistic touches to the fashion house's style, resulting in subsequent collections that exuded femininity and lightness. Notably, the British royal family approached Sarah Burton and the Alexander McQueen fashion house to create Kate Middleton's wedding dress. This event undeniably played a pivotal role, showcasing Sarah Burton's ability to carry on the legacy of the Alexander McQueen brand even after the departure of its founder and creative leader.
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