List of Alexander McQueen collections

Frock coat from graduation collection, Jack the Ripper Stalks His Victims (1992)
Dress that appears to be made of golden feathers, with high collar and long sleeves
Dress from unfinished final collection Angels and Demons (Autumn/Winter 2010)

British designer Alexander McQueen designed 36 womenswear collections under his eponymous fashion label during a career that lasted from 1992 until his death in 2010.[a][3] As a designer, McQueen was known for sharp tailoring, historicism, and imaginative designs that often verged into the controversial.[4] His runway shows were known for being dramatic and theatrical, with some including elements of performance art.[5][6] McQueen drew inspiration for his clothing and shows from a broad range of sources, including film, history, nature, world religions, art, and his own life.[12] Through his work, he explored themes such as romanticism, sexuality, and death.[13][14]

He used unusual cuts and silhouettes to play with the human form, making wearers appear inhuman.[15] Early in his career, he originated an extreme low-rise trouser cut called the "bumster", which became a brand signature.[16] Other significant designs include the skull scarf, another brand signature, and the armadillo shoe, often worn by singer Lady Gaga.[17][18]

Womenswear was the focus of McQueen's career. In his early collections, he sometimes presented menswear or had male models walk in the shows, but his label did not have a regular menswear line until 2004.[19][20] From 1996 to October 2001, McQueen was – in addition to his responsibilities for his own label – head designer at French fashion house Givenchy, for which he produced both haute couture and ready-to-wear collections each season.[8][21][22] This article concerns itself with McQueen's own-label womenswear collections.

  1. ^ Watt 2012, p. 69.
  2. ^ Thomas 2015, p. 122.
  3. ^ Wilson 2015, pp. 5, 350–351.
  4. ^ Vaidyanathan, Rajini (12 February 2010). "Six ways Alexander McQueen changed fashion". BBC News. Archived from the original on 22 February 2010. Retrieved 12 February 2010.
  5. ^ Gleason 2012, p. 10.
  6. ^ Fairer & Wilcox 2016, p. 13.
  7. ^ Manning, Emily (21 January 2016). "An Alexander McQueen Biopic is in the Works". i-D. Archived from the original on 2 April 2023. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
  8. ^ a b "Alexander McQueen – an introduction". Victoria and Albert Museum. Archived from the original on 17 March 2021. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
  9. ^ "Nature and Organic Materials". The Museum of Savage Beauty. Victoria and Albert Museum. Archived from the original on 2 April 2023. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
  10. ^ Bolton 2018, p. 274.
  11. ^ Gerakiti, Errika (16 November 2022). "The Majestic Art of Alexander McQueen". DailyArt Magazine. Archived from the original on 7 February 2023. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
  12. ^ [7][8][9][10][11]
  13. ^ Frankel 2011, pp. 13–14.
  14. ^ Hernandez Briseño, Alma (17 May 2020). "La Poupee and Voss: Alexander McQueen's Heterotopias". The Fashion Studies Journal. Archived from the original on 23 April 2023. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
  15. ^ Barajas, Joshua (4 September 2015). "How Alexander McQueen's grotesque creations wrecked the runway". PBS NewsHour. Archived from the original on 2 February 2023. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
  16. ^ Thomas 2015, pp. 106, 115.
  17. ^ Bethune 2015, p. 321.
  18. ^ Rasmussen, Tom (12 June 2018). "Alexander McQueen: an illustrated history of the iconic British fashion designer". Financial Review. Archived from the original on 6 May 2021. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  19. ^ Bethune 2015, p. 308.
  20. ^ Watt 2012, pp. 87, 213.
  21. ^ D'Souza, Christa (4 March 2001). "McQueen and country". The Observer. Archived from the original on 11 May 2024. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
  22. ^ Wilson 2015, pp. 173–174, 255.


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