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Learn about the life, success and style of British fashion designer Alexander McQueen.
Transcript
Alexander McQueen Fashion Designer Profile With his provocative shows and outrageous designs Alexander McQueen has solidified his reputation as the Edgy Bad Boy of Fashion. The designer’s mix of controversy, creativity and his technical mastery presenting several British Designer of the Year Awards and the Loyal Celebrity fan based made up the most beautiful and glamorous women in the world. McQueen’s first taste of the fashion world came when he joined Anderson & Sheppard, a highly regarded tailor on London’s fashionable Savile Row. He enlisted as a student at Central St. Martins College of Art and Design and after graduation his complete student portfolio was purchased by influential fashion legend Isabella Blow. She remained his patron and great friends until her death in 2007. McQueen started his own fashion label in 1996 and became an instant star in the fashion industry. He is chosen as Britain’s Designer of the Year, thanks to his inventive designs like low-waisted pants known as bumsters and was soon snapped up by Givenchy is their head designer. The designer and the Fashion House worth well suited with McQueen insulting company founded that he with Givenchy calling him irrelevant. It became clear the Fashion House wasn’t always with his dashing designs. In late 2000, McQueen entered into a partnership with Gucci as its new Fashion Director subsequently leaving Givenchy behind in the process. Alexander McQueen’s early runway collections developed his reputation for controversy and shock tactics earning the title L’Enfant terrible and the hooligan of English fashion. McQueen is notorious for the theatrical catwalk shows he uses to display clothes designed under his own name label. The master showman wowed the audiences at London Fashion Week in 1999 presenting his collection in a winter wonderland featuring fake snow and models on skates. Black gray on various whiter shades of hail dominated McQueen’s pallet adding to the winter woodland feel. His edgy designs have been seen in some of the world’s most glamorous women, Sarah Jessica Parker, wore one of creations to the UK premier of Sex and the City while Jennifer Connelly, Mary J. Blige and Oscar Winner Cate Blanchett are also fans of the controversial designer. He opened his Melrose Avenue Boutique, home to fellow designers Marc Jacobs and Balenciaga in 2008 which was attended by long time McQueen fans Janet Jackson and Eve. The store showcased the designer’s collections including the limited edition Union Jack Clutch Bags as well as women and men’s accessories, shoes and eyewear. McQueen tanned his 2007 Paris Haute Couture Show into a tribute to his mentor, the eccentric Isabella Blow who died after a long battle with cancer. The air hung heavy with the scent of Fraca Blow’s favorite perfume and model paraded in her segment to look of radical tailoring paired with outlandish Philip Treacy hats. The show included minds blowing head gear, a cluster of red butterflies that top the skin tight gray wool dress and the glittering black lace visor with a matching body tattoo. The year 2008 saw the British designer give evolution a helping hand unveiling a radical silhouette combining hourglass hips with androgynously slim legs. Padding under laid his thigh grazing molded dresses which were happily encrusted with menial looking crystals that sparkled like a million stars. Having being obsessed with fashion for virtually his entire life, McQueen has made a fortune by making men and women look good. To put his success into perspective he’s had his own fashion labels since the age of 27 and his collections are available in almost 40 countries worldwide. Alexander McQueen is arguably today’s most relevant and successful designer.
