The Life of Alexander McQueen

Alexander McQueen was a British fashion designer and couturier renowned for his rebellious, unorthodox approach to fashion. Even though it’s been over a decade since he passed, McQueen's namesake brand continues to rock the fashion world. So, to celebrate his life, we’ve compiled a list of interesting facts about the great Alexander McQueen.

Who Was Alexander McQueen?

To the world he was known as the great Alexander McQueen, however, his birth name is Lee Alexander McQueen. Only his closest friends called him by his given name. 

Being the youngest of 6 children, McQueen referred to himself as the ‘pink sheep’ of the family. His designer career started by creating dresses for his sisters at a young age. However, his earliest fashion memory reaches back to three years old, he recalls designing dresses on the walls of his East London family home.

Fashion Education

In 1985, McQueen dropped out of school at 16 years old due to taunting peers who bullied him about his sexual orientation. Thereafter, he took a course in tailoring at Newham College and went on to serve an apprenticeship with Savile Row tailors Anderson & Sheppard, before joining Gieves & Hawkes as a pattern cutter. Later, he received his master's degree in fashion design at Central Saint Martins.

His Rise To Fame

McQueen’s final graduation collection was titled Jack the Ripper Stalks His Victims. The entire collection was bought by influential fashion stylist Isabella Blow.

What’s more, she used her contacts to publicise McQueen’s work. Isabella Blow suggested that he drop his first name and simply go by ‘Alexander McQueen. In many ways, she was a mentor to McQueen. After her sudden passing, McQueen dedicated his Spring 2008 collection to pay homage to the talented artist. 

Fashion & Fame

Part of the allure of McQueen’s style is his theatricality, impeccable tailoring and even his controversial designs. Thus, earning the nicknames “L'Enfant terrible”, meaning the terrible child in French, and "the hooligan of English fashion". 

One of his defining pieces is the cleavage-revealing pants, that he called ‘bumsters’. Of course, this incited a lot of negative media attention, however, even his harshest critics could not deny his talent. In 1996 he was named British Designer of the Year (which he won four times between 1996 and 2003), and soon after he took over as the head designer of Givenchy following Hubert de Givenchy’s retirement. 

ALSO SEE: 8 FUN FACTS ABOUT GIVENCHY

Some A-List Celebrities He Designed For

Alexander McQueen designed stage costumes for David Bowie’s tours between 1996 and 1997. Most notably, the iconic Union Jack coat Bowie wore on the cover of his 1997 album called ‘Earthling’. Another eccentric artist McQueen designed for is Björk. He designed a geisha-style outfit worn by the artist on the cover of her 1997 album ‘Homogenic’ and even directed her 'Alarm Call' music video.

The Start of An Empire

Before his contract ended with Givenchy, McQueen signed a deal with Givenchy's rival, Gucci, in 2000 daring Givenchy to fire him. Gucci bought 51% of the Alexander McQueen's company with McQueen remaining the company's creative director. Soon after, he left Givenchy to focus on his own brand.

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' honour.

The Iconic Armadillo Shoes

McQueen was the first to create the armadillo boot, a high heel that resembles an armadillo's shell. These luxury shoes were launched at his last show - the Alexander McQueen Spring/Summer 2010 fashion show. Soon after, Lady Gaga famously wore a pair in her 'Bad Romance' music video.

A Tragic Ending

On 11 February 2010, Lee Alexander McQueen took his life, just 9 days after his mother’s passing. The note he left behind read "Look after my dogs, sorry, I love you, Lee."

He left £50,000 to his pet dogs so that they can be pampered for the rest of their lives. The rest of his estate was left to his siblings, nieces, nephews, godson, loyal housekeepers and 4 charities. 

Alexander McQueen Now

Despite his passing, Alexander McQueen, the luxury company still lives on. His assistant and longtime co-designer, Sarah Burton continues to head the company today.

McQueen, The Movie

In 2018, directors Ian Bonhôte and Peter Ettedgui released the documentary ‘McQueen’ about Lee Alexander McQueen's life. According to Harper's Bazaar, it is "among the most accurate, sensitive, and moving. Using his collections as cornerstones, the documentary features candid interviews with colleagues, friends and even family of McQueen, who was known as Lee to the people he loved." 

Where To Buy Alexander McQueen in South Africa

The great Alexander McQueen is responsible for some of the best designer accessories in the industry. Browse our online store for Alexander McQueen, Givenchy, Gucci and so much more.