I am deeply saddened to report that one of fashion’s true visionaries of this time, Alexander McQueen, has died. He was found at his London home and pronounced dead at the scene, believed to be the result of suicide.
McQueen was one of the most influential fashion designers in the world, a master manipulator of material and a true tailor at heart. His shows were always over the top and outrageous but always captivating and beautifully erotic. They were famous for being outlandish, lavish, magically surreal, and literally a feast for the eyes.
His talent was immediately spotted upon his graduating from Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design and he sold his entire first collection to the quintessential fashion stylist Isabella Blow–she was later to become not only his fan but also his magical muse and what she initially responded to would soon be emulated by all fashion buyers, editors, and consumers. McQueen paid incredible attention to detail and embraced technology to push his collections into new realms. Indeed, he was the most futuristic fashion designer of our time with his last fashion show resembling a nuclear meltdown complete with alien like creatures creeping and crawling down the runway followed by huge monitors and screens running the show live online with the help of Nick Knight from Showstudio. I was at that show, not realizing that it would be his last, and I feel so grateful to have been able to take part in a historic moment in fashion, one that will never be repeated. McQueen was a true master of the ever-changing fashion system and stood firmly in front of the trends. He never shied way from pushing boundaries and always stayed true to his passion for designing for the sake of art and to satisfy his creativity sometimes making clothes that seemed more like costumes or wearable art than clothing made for functionality or practicality. And he always left you hungry for more. McQueen is truly Fashion’s Fallen Angel and his untouchable imprint in fashion’s ever changing world will never be forgotten. Long Live McQueen.
