StyleAs one of the most shocking designers to ever show on the runway, McQueen was known for breaking all the rules. When asked to describe Alexander McQueen's style many often jump to the words controversial and theatrical and indeed through his work this has been proven to be correct.
In one of his most popular runway shows, models were cast as chess pieces and commanded by a robotic voice to move to various places. The larger meaning of this was to reference the East vs. West Issue which was very pressing at the time. In another successful show, model Shalom Harlow was spray-painted by large robotic paint guns in a white dress in order to symbolise the current Arts and Crafts Movement. McQueen was known for portraying often dark or sombre themes in his work, but presenting them in a way of sartorial beauty. His 1998 Fall/Winter collection showed this exactly. The show featured live flames burning on stage, bald caps, red contacts, red snakeskin, catsuits, eccentric braiding and over all satanic symbols. Despite the obvious dark nature of this show, it is still widely considered today as something of great beauty. McQueen was notorious for his quote 'unwearable' runway designs, which stemmed from everything between dresses with attached wings and heels which worked off of similar mechanisms as stilts, however once the designs were sold they were often much more casual. Alexander believed fashion to be more than a piece of cloth or a pair of shoes, and was quoted several times explaining it as an 'everyday art form', one which was woven by the artist and worn by the model. McQueen's style was indeed theatrical and controversial, but it was also political, beautiful and influential on more levels than one. |
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LegacyThe legacy of fashion designer, Alexander McQueen is one which is very regularly acknowledged in the world of art. His controversial collections, relaxed nature, tragic death and overall life have single-handedly made him one of the most fascinating modern designers to walk the face of the Earth. As one of the few designers worldwide who can truly state that they revolutionised the fashion industry, Alexander did not regard fashion as a commercial profit as many designers at the time did, but as an art form.
However, the largest difference between his designs and those seen before his, were that his were not made to be attractive or fashionable, but to be beautiful and though-provoking. Not only were his designs not classically 'pretty', they were also incredibly controversial. Many believed his designs to be offensive and early runway shows even gained backlash under claims of misogyny. One of his first shows, under the title 'Highland Rape', featured models wearing tartan and torn lace clothing with fake bruises and injuries along their bodies. Many loved the open and political nature of this show as it addressed issues previously not talked about, but many highly criticised its glorification of rape. Regardless, Alexander Mcqueen was notorious for pushing the boundaries of fashion and certainly influenced the clean-cut, typical clothing which had come before him. |