EDITOR'S NOTE: Recently I asked a friend of mine if they'd like to contribute some guest articles here and there. They agreed and here is their first contribution. And no, that is not their real name, just their pen name. You can e-mail the author of this post here.
In February of this year, the fashion world and everybody around it was brought to a standstill and then left broken-hearted by the loss of an artist, a genius and a well-loved designer who had influenced the fashion world in innumerable ways.
I remember logging onto the website I had perused so many times before, praying that the Tweet I had received wouldn't prove to be true, and sat with a lump in my throat as I read the short message on the screen:
"Lee Alexander McQueen had passed away"
Now, unless you either live in a cave by the beach you’ve probably heard of that guy. You'll have heard his name, read about his shows, or seen the girl who frequents your local Starbucks wearing one of his signature scarves. Since the London Fashion Week’s tribute to the designer - who won British Designer of the Year four times, and was recognized by Queen Elizabeth II in 2003 when she made him a Commander of the British Empire for leadership in fashion - was announced earlier this week, it is possibly considered a prudent time to examine some of the finer points of his career.
In February of this year, the fashion world and everybody around it was brought to a standstill and then left broken-hearted by the loss of an artist, a genius and a well-loved designer who had influenced the fashion world in innumerable ways.
I remember logging onto the website I had perused so many times before, praying that the Tweet I had received wouldn't prove to be true, and sat with a lump in my throat as I read the short message on the screen:
"Lee Alexander McQueen had passed away"
Now, unless you either live in a cave by the beach you’ve probably heard of that guy. You'll have heard his name, read about his shows, or seen the girl who frequents your local Starbucks wearing one of his signature scarves. Since the London Fashion Week’s tribute to the designer - who won British Designer of the Year four times, and was recognized by Queen Elizabeth II in 2003 when she made him a Commander of the British Empire for leadership in fashion - was announced earlier this week, it is possibly considered a prudent time to examine some of the finer points of his career.
Alongside designers such as Vivienne Westwood
, Paul Smith
and John Galliano
, Alexander McQueen cemented himself as one of the most well-known and well-loved British designers of all time, with a mix controversial, visually stunning and artistic show pieces, and toned-down but still impressively unique ready-to-wear items. The headstrong designer was at the head of Givenchy, before the contract which he said “constrained his creativity” ended, and he founded his own labels: Alexander McQueen and McQ.
, Paul Smith and John Galliano, Alexander McQueen cemented himself as one of the most well-known and well-loved British designers of all time, with a mix controversial, visually stunning and artistic show pieces, and toned-down but still impressively unique ready-to-wear items. The headstrong designer was at the head of Givenchy, before the contract which he said “constrained his creativity” ended, and he founded his own labels: Alexander McQueen and McQ.
Aside from a huge celebrity fanbase, McQueen’s creations have found their way onto the silver screen. In November 2009, Lady Gaga
released the music video for "Bad Romance
", in which she wore a number of McQueen’s key seasonal pieces, including the Armadillo heels and a long-sleeved metallic dress. Back in autumn, models walked up the runway to the world premiere of the track.
released the music video for "Bad Romance", in which she wore a number of McQueen’s key seasonal pieces, including the Armadillo heels and a long-sleeved metallic dress. Back in autumn, models walked up the runway to the world premiere of the track.But Lady Gaga isn’t the only celebrity known to be an avid fan. The singer Monica
recently wore a red floor-length gown in her music video "Everything to Me" in February of this year, which was shot days before his suicide. In 1997, David Bowie wore an iconic Union Jack jacket on the cover of his "Earthling"
album, and Madonna has been seen gracing the red carpet in McQueen couture. Rihanna, Sandra Bullock, Victoria Beckham and Audrina Patridge have worn dresses and accessorise outfits with the statement and signature pieces. Most recently, Russell Brand had a black and blue silk scarf wrapped around his neck in a few scenes of his latest film, "Get Him to the Greek
."
recently wore a red floor-length gown in her music video "Everything to Me" in February of this year, which was shot days before his suicide. In 1997, David Bowie wore an iconic Union Jack jacket on the cover of his "Earthling" album, and Madonna has been seen gracing the red carpet in McQueen couture. Rihanna, Sandra Bullock, Victoria Beckham and Audrina Patridge have worn dresses and accessorise outfits with the statement and signature pieces. Most recently, Russell Brand had a black and blue silk scarf wrapped around his neck in a few scenes of his latest film, "Get Him to the Greek." 
And at the London premiere of "Sex and the City 2
," Sarah Jessica Parker wore a black gown designed my McQueen, accessorised with a black armband, in his memory. Alexander McQueen’s parting gift to the fashion world was a prophetically eerie collection, which touched on spirituality and self-referencing his past collections. In early February, the designer was found dead at his home, just days before the funeral of his beloved mother. Tributes flowed in from friends, colleagues, famous faces, and millions of fans. His scarves, bags and accessories were sold out within hours, and flowers were laid outside his closed stores.
The world was mourning the death of someone who was more than just a fashion designer – he was an artist who challenged the boundaries of fashion with the obscure, the controversial, the crazy, and the creative. And with McQueen’s first collection without Lee McQueen premiering in June this year, it seems certain that his spirit will live on in his brand, and will be remembered by the blazing trail he cut through turn-of-the-century fashion.
RIP Lee Alexander McQueen (17 March 1969 – 11 February 2010)
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