2024 OCTOBER ISSUE
FASHION QUOTE
ALEXANDER McQUEEN
“Fashion should be a form of escapism, and not a form of imprisonment.”
Written by Andrew Sia
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From the Desk of the Publisher
We are featuring Alexander McQueen as the thirtieth fashion design for the fashion quote which has been one of our featured articles. This will be our last writeup under this title.
Alexander McQueen was famous for his creative fashion designs. He combined fashion design with art and he was known for his avant-garde, and often controversial designs. His fashion shows were mostly an unforgettable experience.
He is still considered as one of the world’s top ten fashioners. He died at the age of forty and he took his life away on February 11, 2010. He entered into depression when his mother passed away on February 2, 2010, just days before his own death. It was also reported that he was using drugs like cocaine regularly which exacerbated his mental health issues.
Fashion industry is also known for its high-pressure environment. Being ahead of this competitive and demanding field, the pressure to maintain the brand at the forefront took a toll on him.
McQueen’s death at young age was a significant loss to the fashion world.
Enjoy to view with 3D FlipBook !
Alexander McQueen was born March 17, 1969 in London, England and lived until February 11, 2010. He passed away by suicide at the age of forty at his home in Mayfair, London. McQueen was famous for tailoring and historicism, which was drawn from recreating historical styles and imitating the work of historic artists and artisans, and merged them into contrast often caused controversial.
Since we are going to feature Alexander McQueen in another writeup under the “World’s Renowned Fashion Designers,” we are going to focus on his legacy of one of his fashion shows—Savage Beauty in this special “Fashion Quote.” He is the thirty designer we are featuring in this special column, and also the last one that we would feature.
Alexander McQueen, an iconic designer known for his avant-garde, and often controversial designs, and his theatrical fashion shows. People cannot forget Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty, one of the most popular exhibitions in the United Kingdom at all time, with over half a million people who went to this paid exhibition. This influential fashion designer was responsible with some of the most iconic and fantastical creations that had ever been created. His talent in theatrical romanticism, setting of the rules of beauty, showing the fierce versions of femininity, McQueen made waves that were felt far beyond the barriers of the fashion industry.
“Salvage Beauty” was first held in Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City from May 4 to August 7, 2011, and later in Victoria and Albert Museum in London from March 14 to August 2, 2015. The curator at the time was Andrew Bolton of the Costume Institute at the Met.
Themes presented in McQueen’s work—Gothic Romanticism, nature, and the contrast between beauty and horror. Pieces from some of McQueen’s most famous collections—“Highland Rape” for Autumn/Winter 1995-96 collection, “The Windows of Culloden” for Autumn/Winter 2006-07 collection, and “Plato’s Atlantis” for Spring/Summer 2010 collection—were featured.
Iconic designs such as the “bumster trousers”, “armadillo shoes”, and “peacock dress” were featured, and the using of lighting, sound, and multimedia elements to enhance the storytelling and different themes were adopted.
The exhibitions were extremely successful and drawn large crowds that broke attendance records at both the Met and V&A. It received widespread acclaim for its curation, presentation, and the profound impact of McQueen’s work on fashion and art. It solidified McQueen’s legacy as one of the most innovative and influential fashion designers of his time which brought new recognition to the artistic value on fashion design. Today, McQueen’s “Savage Beauty” remains a landmark exhibition, and it continues to inspire and influence the fashion world.
You can watch McQueen’s Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty – Gallery Views 2011
https://youtu.be/Pg0HwLAJyV0?si=HtqAgzIiELqUFIYi
Here are some of Alexander McQueen’s memorable quotes that can sum up his views on fashion, creativity, and most important, the life:
On Fashion and Artistry:
- “Fashion should be a form of escapism, and not a form of imprisonment.”
- “I want to empower women, I want people to be afraid of the women I dress.”
On Creativity and Innovation:
- “You’ve got to know the rules to break them. That’s why I’m here for, to demolish the rules but to keep the tradition.”
- “There is no way back for me now. I am going to take you on journeys you’ve never dreamed were possible.”
On Inspiration:
- “I find beauty in the grotesque, like most artists. I have to force people to look at things.”
- “People find my things sometimes aggressive. But I don’t see it as aggressive. I see it as romantic, dealing with a dark side of personality.”
On Approach to Design:
- “I design from the side. I think in layers. You have to use clothes to make something that goes beyond fashion.”
- “My shows are about sex, drugs, and rock ‘n’ roll. They’re about what people think but don’t talk about. They’re very voyeuristic.”
On Legacy:
- “it’s a new era in fashion—there are no rules. It’s all about the individual and personal style, wearing high-end, low-end, classic labels, and up-and-coming designers, all together.”
On Personal Philosophy:
- “Life to me is a bit of a Brothers Grimm fairy tale. If you see my clothes, you might think that too.”
- “You can only go forward by making mistakes.”
These quotes can offer a glimpse into Alexander McQueen’s unique perspective and his approach to fashion as an art form. I am sure that the fashion world has missed him.
Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
May 4 – August 7, 2011
