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Life, Death & Fashion: 10 Surprising Facts About Alexander McQueen

Alexander McQueen was an iconic British fashion designer who revolutionized the industry with his bold, avant-garde designs and meticulous attention to detail. His creations transcended conventional norms, leaving an indelible mark on the world of fashion. Born Lee Alexander McQueen in 1969, he exhibited an early passion for fashion, dropping out of school at the age of 16 to pursue his dream.

McQueen’s journey began with an apprenticeship on London’s renowned Savile Row, where he honed his tailoring skills and developed a deep understanding of craftsmanship. McQueen’s designs were characterized by their daring and innovative approach, often incorporating unconventional materials like feathers, latex, and animal skins. He embraced technology, becoming a pioneer in the use of digital fashion, utilizing computers to create his designs. McQueen died by suicide in 2010 at the age of 40, at his home in Mayfair, London, shortly after the death of his mother. Read more as we delve into Life, Death & Fashion: 10 Surprising Facts About Alexander McQueen.

1. McQueen founded his own Alexander McQueen label in 1992

The Alexander McQueen brand was founded by designer Alexander McQueen in 1992. The house’s early collections developed its reputation for controversy and shock tactics. Alexander McQueen staged lavish and unconventional runway shows, such as a recreation of a shipwreck for his Spring 2003 collection, Spring 2005’s human chess game, and the Fall 2006 show, Widows of Culloden, which featured a life-sized hologram of supermodel Kate Moss dressed in yards of rippling fabric. In total, McQueen designed 36 collections for his London label, including his MA graduate collection.

2. McQueen was awarded the title of British Designer of the Year

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The Fashion Awards, known as the British Fashion Awards until 2016, is an annual ceremony established in the United Kingdom in 1989 to showcase both British and international individuals and businesses who have made the most outstanding contributions to the fashion industry during the year. 

During his time as head designer, McQueen was awarded the title “British Designer of the Year” four times between 1996 and 2003.

3. McQueen was chief designer at Givenchy

McQueen was appointed head designer of Givenchy in 1996 to succeed John Galliano who had moved to Dior.McQueen’s debut show for Givenchy, Spring Summer 1997, featured Greek mythology-inspired gold and white designs.

McQueen’s relationship with Givenchy was fraught, and he left in March 2001 after his contract ended, with McQueen arguing that Givenchy had started to constrain his creativity.

4.  As a designer, McQueen was known for sharp tailoring, historicism, and imaginative designs

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McQueen explored themes such as romanticism, sexuality, and death, and many collections had autobiographical elements. Among his best-known individual designs are the bumsters, the skull scarf, and the armadillo shoes. 

McQueen’s catwalk shows were noted for their drama and theatricality, and they often ended with elements of performance art, such as a model being spray painted by Robots No. 13, Spring/Summer 1999, or a life-size illusion of Kate Moss- The Widows of Culloden, Autumn/Winter 2006.

5. McQueen had a background in tailoring 

This was before he studied fashion and embarked on a career as a designer. His MA graduation collection caught the attention of fashion editor Isabella Blow, who became his patron. 

McQueen’s early designs, particularly the radically low-cut bumster trousers, gained him recognition as an enfant terrible in British fashion.

6. McQueen sold 51% of his company to the Gucci Group

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In 2000, McQueen sold 51% of his company to the Gucci Group, which established boutiques for his label worldwide and expanded its product range. During his career, he designed a total of 36 collections for his brand, including his graduation collection and unfinished final collection. 

Gucci Group is an Italian luxury fashion house based in Florence, Italy. Its product lines include handbags, ready-to-wear, footwear, accessories, and home decoration; and it licenses its name and branding to Coty for fragrance and cosmetics under the name Gucci Beauty.

7. McQueen’s legacy in fashion and culture is extensive

His designs were showcased in two retrospective exhibitions: Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty (2011 and 2015) and Lee Alexander McQueen: Mind, Mythos, Muse (2022). 

He remains the subject of journalistic and academic analysis, including the book Gods and Kings (2015) by fashion journalist Dana Thomas and the documentary film McQueen (2018).

8. McQueen was openly gay

McQueen said he realized his sexual orientation when he was six years old. He told his family when he was 18 and, after a rocky period, they accepted it.  In 2000, McQueen had a marriage ceremony with his partner George Forsyth, a documentary filmmaker, on a yacht in Ibiza. Kate Moss and Annabelle Neilson were bridesmaids. The marriage was not official, as same-sex marriage in Spain was not legal at that time. The relationship ended a year later, with the two maintaining a close friendship.

9. McQueen died by suicide in 2010

On 3 February 2010, McQueen wrote on his Twitter page that his mother had died the day before, adding: “RIP mumxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.” Four days later, he wrote that he had an awful week but said friends have been great”, adding “Now I have to somehow pull myself together”.

On the morning of 11 February 2010, his housekeeper found McQueen had hanged himself at his home in Green Street, London W1. Paramedics were called and they pronounced him dead at the scene. He was 40 years old.

10. Sarah Burton took over as creative director of McQueen’s label

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At the time of Alexander McQueen’s death, he had 16 pieces that were eighty per cent finished for his Autumn/Winter collection. These outfits were completed by his design team and shown in seven presentations to small groups of specially invited audiences. 

After company owner Gucci confirmed that the brand would continue, McQueen’s long-term assistant Sarah Burton was named as the new creative director of Alexander McQueen in May 2010. In September 2010, Burton presented her first womenswear collection in Â鶹APP.

Alexander McQueen was a true visionary who left a lasting legacy in the world of fashion. His designs were groundbreaking and innovative, and he never shied away from pushing boundaries. He was a complex and troubled individual, but he was also a gifted artist who will never be forgotten.