ALEXANDER MCQUEEN. 1969 - 2010

AS THE WORLD comes to terms with the tragic death of Alexander McQueen; iconic visionary, artist and designer, it's important to remember the contribution he made to the industry and how he will be remembered.

Born in London, McQueen grew up and went to school in Stratford, East London. He left school at 16, and straight away went on to complete two apprenticeships in some of the most prestigious tailors on Savile Row where he learned the tailoring he is renowned for today. Since then, he's become a household name, and his designs have long been respected, if not coveted by those who see them.

People might see the fashion industry as one of excess. Alexander McQueen, however, saw the need to recognise a more ethical approach.

“The turnover of fashion is just so quick and so throwaway, and I think that is a big part of the problem. There is no longevity.”, he told the NY times at his show in March 09. He also explained that the collection was a display of irony; the fact that designers say fashion is "constantly being reinvented", and yet they continue to display the same trends of decades past..

His Fall/Winter collection 09 (pictured here) was focused around sustainability, drawing influences from recycling items. People also suggested that his collections were a satirical mocking of the couture shows in Paris, which are often lavish and exuberant in nature.

It marked a turning point and, at the height of the economic crisis, Alexander McQueen's collection wasn't just about putting on a show, it was about making a statement and turning heads. Not many other designers can be said to have pioneered this idea, giving publicity to a rarely mentioned cause.

Not only did he shed light on the issue of excess and waste in his own collection, but he also encouraged up and coming designers to do the same, lending his experience to Ada Zanditon, sustainable designer. The new generation of ethical designers are coming through, and it's important that they're given a bigger platform in the mainstream, such as estETHICa, which is an exhibition as part of London Fashion Week.

The fashion industry is one that is misunderstood. It's an art, and not just for the 'high-society' folk who might be buying the above pieces like some people think. It's about being inspired, cultured, and being engaged and immersed in the designs. That is what Alexander McQueen aimed to evoke in his collections.

In an interview with his mother, Joyce....

JM: What makes your heart miss a beat?
AM: Love.
JM: Love for children? Love for adults? Love for animals?
AM: Falling in love.

One of Britain's most respected designers has passed, but his legacy will certainly live on, like any true artist. Fall in love with the art......!

Attia
x