Remembering Alexander McQueen.
Music by: Simon Sizer – Aethra.
It’s CULTED.
Today marks the 10 year anniversary of Alexander Mcqueen’s death.
McQueen was a legendary designer that created pieces like no other. He was romantic and rebellious, creating clothes no one had ever seen before. Remember when he used robots to spray-paint a dress while the model spun around on the runway?
Today we will reflect on more than 20 years of his work, highlighting some of our favourite moments.
Let’s start with our favourite show ‘Voss’ SS2001.
The audience sat around a mirrored cube, representing an asylum. The models emerged, wearing hospital headbands paired with gothic and theatrical pieces.
The show finale remains unbeatable. Once the lights went down and the runway was empty, a murky glass box began to drop its walls. It revealed a nude woman covered in live moths, wearing a mask and breathing through a tube, an unforgettable scene inspired by Joel-Peter Witkin.
Next, we have ‘Horn of Plenty’. Autumn/Winter 2009, a collection McQueen designed just before turning 40.
The clothes were a parody of haute couture. Models in bold silhouettes, high platforms and Leigh Bowery inspired makeup walked around a huge black rubbish tip. Combining high fashion with trash. Mcqueen said just before the show: “The turnover of fashion is just so quick and so throwaway… there is no longevity.” He never failed to shock his audience and push creative boundaries. In fact, that was his objective.
Finally, we have his Plato’s Atlantis show, SS 2010 branded ‘the show that changed the future of fashion’ by Dazed. Plato’s Atlantis is probably one of the most legendary shows to date.
Inspired by humanity returning to the oceans, the show explored themes of evolution. To really enforce the future-facing theme, the show was broadcast live on SHOWstudio. As masses of people rushed to see it, the site crashed. Nevertheless, it symbolised a crossing between the industry and the digital world, demonstrating fashion’s eagerness to always adapt. Through this, McQueen cemented his status as the world’s most visionary designer.
We could honestly talk about his work for days, no one will ever compare to Alexander McQueen, he was truly in a realm of his own.
Which McQueen moment was your favourite? Let us know below.
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