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Alexander McQueen
Alexander McQueen
Alexander McQueen (born Lee McQueen, 17 March 1969) is
one of the most influential British fashion designers.
He has mastered 6 methods of pattern cutting from the
flamboyant styles of the 16th Century
to the sharp, contemporay tailoring which has become his
signature.
Born in the East End of London on 17 March 1969, the
son of a taxi driver, Alexander, whose real name is Lee
McQueen, started running up dresses for his three sisters
at a young age and announced his intention of becoming
a top designer. McQueen went on to leave school at 16,
landing himself an apprenticeship with top Savile Row
tailors Anderson and Shepherd, then working for Gieves
and Hawkes and the famous theatrical costumiers Angels
and Bermans. While on Savile Row, McQueen's clients included
Mikhail Gorbachev and Charles, Prince of Wales. The rumor
is that McQueen graffitied four-letter words into the
lining of the Prince's Savile Row jackets. When he was
20, McQueen went on to work for Koji Tatsuno and Romeo
Gigli. McQueen applied to London's most prestigious fashion
school, Central St Martins College of Art & Design
for a Masters Degree. Though he had no formal education,
he was immediately admitted on the strength of his portfolio.
He graduated from Central Saint Martins College of Art
and Designin 1991.
Before opening his own studio in East London in 1992,
McQueen developed a reputation for controversy and shock
tactics (earning the title "enfant terrible"
and "the hooligan of English fashion"), with
trousers aptly named "bumsters", and a collection
entitled "Highland Rape". His provocative designs
attracted a small but loyal clientele, including such
influential fashion figures as stylist Isabella Blow,
who purchased everything from his first collection, and
was said to have persuaded McQueen to change his name
from Lee to Alexander when he launched his fashion career.
(It has also been claimed that he was on income support
and that he needed to change his name for his first show
so that he could continue to receive cheques.) The president
of LVMH, Bernard Arnault caused a stir when he instated
McQueen as head designer at Givenchy in 1996, succeeding
John Galliano. McQueen toned down his act at Givenchy,
but continued to indulge his rebellious streak, causing
controversy in Autumn '98 with a show which included car-robots
spraying paint over white cotton dresses, and a disabled
model striding down the catwalk on intricately carved
wooden legs. McQueen stayed with Givenchy until March
2001.
Some of Alexander McQueen's accomplishments include:
being one of the youngest designers to achieve the title
"British Designer of the Year" in 1996, 1997
and again in 2001; earning a Commander of the Most Excellent
Order of the British Empire award; and being named International
Designer of the Year at the Council of Fashion Designer
Awards. December 2000 saw a new partnership for McQueen
with Gucci Group acquiring 51% of the company, and McQueen
serving as Creative Director. Plans for expansion include
the opening of stores worldwide and the launch of his
perfume, Kingdom.
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