Alexander McQueen: Inside the Creative Mind of a Legendary Fashion Designer

“He brought a uniquely British sense of daring and aesthetic fearlessness to the global stage of fashion. In such a short career, Alexander McQueen’s influence was astonishing—from street style, to music culture and the world’s museums.” —Anna Wintour, Editor, Vogue magazine This definitive publication on Alexander McQueen (1969–2010) invites you into the creative mind and world of one of Britain’s most brilliant, daring, and provocative designers, and the many themes and references that shaped his visionary fashion collections. A true comprehensive study, this catalog is the first in-depth look and at McQueen and explores key themes of the Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty exhibition—tailoring, gothic, primitivism, naturalism, and futurism. The book also features previously unseen material as well as groundbreaking essays and feature spreads by multiple authors and leading fashion commentators. This kaleidoscopic approach explores themes central to the designer’s work and his collections: The psychology of fashion Natural history The theater and spectacle of his shows His key creative collaborators And much more! Alexander McQueen also offers an encyclopedic survey of McQueen’s catwalk collections, illustrated with striking images by leading fashion photographers, and specially commissioned photographs that capture the breathtaking skill of his designs and awesome theatricality of his shows. More than a coffee table book, this is a representation of one man’s genius, a genius that left the world of fashion all too soon. For anyone who loved and admired Alexander McQueen and his work, for anyone with a passion for British style, and for those who want to better understand McQueen’s place in the history of fashion, this is a one-of-a-kind illustrated treasure. Fashion Is A Big Bubble, And Sometimes I Feel Like Popping It.' Alexander Mcqueen, 2009 This Definitive Publication On Alexander Mcqueen (1969 - 2010) Invites You Into The Creative Mind Of One Of Britain's Most Brilliant, Daring And Provocative Designers. Accompanying The V&a's Landmark Exhibition Alexander Mcqueen: Savage Beauty, This Comprehensive Catalogue Features 28 Ground-breaking Essays From Expert Fashion Commentators And Cultural Scholars Which Examine The Richness And Complexity Of Mcqueen's Visionary Fashion. The Publication Includes Over 440 Striking Images, From Intimate Backstage Portraits And Editorials By Leading Fashion Photographers To Previously Unpublished Sketches And Research Boards From The Mcqueen Archive. At The Centre Of The Book Is A Cabinet Of Curiosities Gatefold With A Specially Commissioned Photo Shoot That Showcases Mcqueen's Breath-taking Attention To Detail. The Book Closes With An Encyclopaedic Survey Of All Of Mcqueen's London Collections, From His 1992 Ma Graduate Collection To His Final Collection, Posthumously Presented In March 2010. Introduction. In Search Of The Sublime / Andrew Bolton -- Edward Scissorhands / Clair Wilcox -- No. 1: A Sense Of Place. Su(i)ture: Tailoring & The Fashion Metropolis / Christopher Breward -- Clan Macqueen / Ghislaine Wood -- Central Saint Martins / Louise Rytter -- Drawing A Line / Abraham Thomas -- The Early Years / Susannah Frankel -- No. 2: Artistry. Plato's Atlantis: Anatomy Of A Collection / Claire Wilcox -- Givenchy / Edwina Ehrman -- Walking Out / Helen Persson -- Refashioning Japan / Anna Jackson -- Nature Boy / Jonathan Faiers -- No. 3: Sensibility. A Gothic Mind / Catherine Spooner -- Memento Mori / Eleanor Townsend -- Layers Of Meaning / Kirstin Kennedy -- Wasteland/wonderland / Zoe Whitley --no. 4: Viscera. Museum Of The Mind / Lisa Skogh -- The Cabinet Of Curiosities -- Modelling Mcqueen: Hard Grace / Caroline Evans -- Armouring The Body / Clare Phillips -- Crowning Glory / Oriole Cullen -- No. 5: Spectacle. Show, And Tell / Alexander Fury -- Making-up / Janice Miller -- Ghosts / Bill Sherman -- Coup De Théatre / Keith Lodwick -- Dance / Jane Pritchard -- No. 6: Imagination. The Shining And The Chic / Alistair O'neill -- Fashion-able / Jefferson Hack -- Nightmares And Dreams / Susanna Brown -- Encyclopedia Of Collection / Kate Bethune. Edited By Claire Wilcox. First Published By V&a Publishing To Accompany The Exhibition Alexander Mcqueen: Savage Beauty In 2015 At The Victoria And Albert Museum, South Kensington, London. Includes Bibliographical References (page 335) And Index. This definitive publication on Alexander McQueen invites you into the creative mind and world of one of Britains most brilliant, daring, and provocative designers, and the many themes and references that shaped his visionary fashion collections. He brought a uniquely British sense of daring and aesthetic fearlessness to the global stage of fashion. In such a short career, Alexander McQueens influence was astonishingfrom street style, to music culture and the worlds museums. Anna Wintour, editor, Vogue magazine A true comprehensive study, this catalog is the first in-depth look at McQueen and explores key themes of the Alexander Savage Beauty exhibitiontailoring, gothic, primitivism, naturalism, and futurism. Curated by London College of Fashion lecturer Claire Wilcox, the book also features previously unseen material as well as groundbreaking essays and feature spreads by multiple authors and leading fashion commentators. This kaleidoscopic approach explores themes central to the designers work and his Alexander McQueen also offers an encyclopedic survey of McQueens catwalk collections, illustrated with striking images by leading fashion photographers and specially commissioned photographs that capture the breathtaking skill of his designs and awesome theatricality of his shows. More than a coffee table book, this is a representation of one mans genius, a genius that left the world of fashion all too soon. For anyone who loved and admired Alexander McQueen and his work, for anyone with a passion for British style, and for those who want to better understand McQueens place in the history of fashion, this is a one-of-a-kind illustrated treasure.