Alexander McQueen: Historical Influences

This famous fashion designer blended historical trends of the past and gave them a unique modern edge. Lee Alexander McQueen was born on March 17, 1969, into a working-class family living in public housing in London’s Lewisham district. His father, Ronald, was a cab driver, and his mother, Joyce, taught social science. On their small incomes, they supported McQueen and his five siblings. At age 16, McQueen dropped out of school. He found work on Savile Row, a street in London’s Mayfair district famous for offering made-to-order men’s suits. He worked first with the tailor shop Anderson and Shephard, and then moved to nearby Gieves and Hawkes. This was the official start of McQueen’s early work in the fashion industry.

Soon after obtaining his degree, McQueen started his own business designing clothes for women. Only four years out of design school, McQueen was named Chief Designer of Louis Vuitton-owned Givenchy, a French haute couture fashion house. Deciding to further his clothes-making career, McQueen moved on from Savile Row and began working with theatrical costume designers Angels and Bermans. The dramatic style of the clothing he made there would become a signature of his later independent design work. In 2003, McQueen was declared International Designer of the Year by the Council of Fashion Designers of America and a Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire by the Queen of England, and won yet another British Designer of the Year honor. Meanwhile, McQueen opened stores in New York, Milan, London, Las Vegas and Los Angeles. In 2007, the specter of death would come to haunt McQueen, first with the suicide of Isabella Blow. The designer dedicated his 2008 Spring/Summer line to Blow, and said that her death “was the most valuable thing I learnt in fashion.” Just two years later, on February 2, 2010, McQueen’s mother died. One day before her funeral, on February 11, 2010, McQueen was found dead in his Mayfair, London apartment. The cause of death was determined to be suicide.

Alexander McQueen played an important role in revolutionizing the vintage fashion industry. He blended avant-grade designs with historical influences, creating pieces that resonate with both contemporary and nostalgic aesthetics. He loved Victorian-era clothing and often created pieces with drama and elegance to celebrate the era. McQueen was also into creating some of the most shockingly breathtaking corsets the world has ever seen. Aside from Victorian-era garments, McQueen was fond of the 70s. Numerous suits, jackets and dresses he designed to have a 70s vibe and inspiration. This includes wide-legged pants, androgynous designer wear, especially platform shoes, leotards, fringe and short skirts. Alexander McQueen’s designs are highly sought after due to their unique blend of creativity, craftsmanship, and storytelling.