Decoding Alexander McQueen’s Favorite Patterns (2024)

FAQs

What technique does Alexander McQueen use? ›

As one can see in Savage Beauty, McQueen often used traditional craft techniques such as embroidery, lace making, and metalworking to create his radically modern designs. Opting most commonly for embellished, ornamented surfaces, he used printed or woven textiles only very rarely.

McQueen's work was admired for its highly original blend of subversion and tradition, evident from the outset in his 'Bumster' trousers, sharp frock coats, corroded fabrics, slashed leather and shredded, flesh-revealing lace. You've got to know the rules to break them.

However, the largest difference between his designs and those seen before his, were that his were not made to be attractive or fashionable, but to be beautiful and though-provoking. Not only were his designs not classically 'pretty', they were also incredibly controversial.

Romantic Primitivism

Throughout his career, Alexander McQueen frequently returned to the theme of primitivism, which drew upon the fantasy of the noble savage living in harmony with the natural world.

One of McQueen's most famous motifs was the skull, which can be seen on this "knucklebag." The skull appears often throughout his work, serving as a morbid reminder of mortality amongst the glitz and glamour of the catwalk. His iconic skull scarf became a celebrity must-have and was copied around the world.

Overall, Alexander McQueen's marketing strategies focus on creativity, exclusivity, and storytelling to differentiate itself in the competitive luxury fashion market.

Alexander McQueen preferred using the extreme color contrasts of red and black.

On 17 February 2010, Westminster Coroner's Court was told that a post-mortem examination found that McQueen's death was due to asphyxiation and hanging. The inquest was adjourned until 28 April 2010, when his death was officially recorded as suicide.

Although Alexander McQueen offers products to all genders, their campaigns mainly targets women through using female models and extensive advertising for women collections.

Throughout his life, McQueen was known by many nicknames, including "l'enfant terrible," like his contemporary Jean-Paul Gaultier, or "the hooligan of English Fashion" because of his rebellious nature.

What are some interesting facts about Alexander McQueen? ›

McQueen grew up in London's East End; he was the youngest of six children of a father who was a taxicab driver and a mother who was a social studies teacher and genealogist. At age 16 McQueen left school and was employed at London's Anderson & Sheppard, where he tailored suits for Mikhail Gorbachev and Prince Charles.

His manner was often gruff and rude, even to those he liked: Isabella Blow, (pictured right with McQueen) who was broke when she bought his entire first collection and had to pay for it in installments, told me once how he used to march her to the cashpoint every week to get £50 out. Yet he genuinely adored Blow.

McQueen's notorious "Highland Rape" show featured models in torn, disheveled outfits festooned with what appeared to be feminine hygiene paraphenalia. Under critical attack, McQueen revealed that the clothes symbolized the "rape" of Scotland by the British.

Seán McGirr is Creative Director of Alexander McQueen. An Irish national, born in Dublin in 1988, he is a graduate of Central Saint Martins in London, where he obtained a Master of Arts in Fashion in 2014 under the late professor Louise Wilson.

While McQueen is certainly partly inspired by the C6. R Corvette, his bodywork is an original design inspired by many different race cars, but mainly based on the Generation 4 NASCARs that made up the top level Stock Car field when the movie was released in 2006.

It comes down to a few simple reasons: Alexander McQueen sneakers are crafted using the most exquisite, luxurious materials: smooth, supple calfskin and rubber. They are 100% made in Italy, where factory workers make a fair, livable wage.

Nature and its materials were a constant in McQueen's work. He incorporated hair, wood, shells, coral, feathers, horns, and even taxidermy into his designs. In addition, through sculptural means and printed textiles, thorns, reptile skins and blood were also referenced.

It's set a science based target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in both its direct operations and supply chain, and it claims it's on track. It has a policy to reduce the chemical-heavy chromium processes in its leather tanning. It has a policy to protect biodiversity throughout its supply chain.