ALEXANDER MCQUEEN stores in Atlanta | SHOPenauer
History & Philosophy
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Alexander McQueen, between performance and Gothic beauty
Alexander McQueen is a British luxury brand, founded by Lee Alexander McQueen in 1992 and which has become one of the iconic and provocative brands in the history of fashion. Alexander McQueen‘s collections are often characterized by studs, sharp lines or the skull symbol, elements present in the Alexander McQueen women’s clothing line, with leather corsets often used over asymmetrical cut dresses, semi-transparent or cut-out suits and skirts , quilted jackets and coats also with clean lines with maxi balloon sleeves inspired by the Renaissance style, as well as for the shirts. Followed by tops, leather trousers and knitwear with nature-inspired motifs. For the women’s accessories line we find leather belts and bags such as “The Skull” with a crocodile motif, or “The Slash” with a skull detail, also present in the jewels. Among the creations that have remained in history are the Armadillo Boots, part of the Alexander McQueen women’s shoes collection, in which we also find decorated sneakers, boots and sandals, with or without platforms. Also for the Alexander McQueen men’s clothing collection we find studs and leather for jackets and shirts, followed by quilted jackets, suits, trousers, t-shirts and sweatshirts, up to swimwear. We also find studs for the men’s shoes collection and in men’s accessories made up of belts, ties, scarves, wallets with metal Grip handles and jewellery.
A revolutionary personality who has marked the history of the fashion system, for Alexander McQueen fashion was a communication tool aimed at “disturbing” the public, through a vision inspired by the Gothic and intent on celebrating a fairy-tale female figure, as ethereal and elegant as she is strong and combative, associated with skeleton-like robot or soldier. McQueen’s was in fact a brilliant, fragile and revolutionary personality, characterized by a bold creativity that never ceased to amaze, drawing elements from the past and making them contemporary, transmitting a rare elegance and thus writing an important chapter in the history of fashion. Perfect storyteller and artist, McQueen‘s fashion shows were characterized by the theatricality used, with real artistic performances. The theme of death is also strongly present in the creations of the English designer, the result of his great sensitivity.
Alexander McQueen‘s training began in Romeo Gigli‘s style office in Milan. In 1992 he returned to London for a master’s degree, completing his journey with the collection that would lead him to the acquitance, which later became a great friendship, of Isabella Blow, who would definitively launch him into the world of fashion. It was in 1996 that McQueen joined the Givenchy fashion house, a period not loved by the designer despite giving vent to his creative and rebellious nature several times with iconic shows, such as the one in 1999 with the model targeted by robots that painted her suit. Since 2000, the Kering group has acquired 51% of the brand, leaving McQueen with full creative control. In these years there was the peak of McQueen‘s popularity, thanks also to music icons such as David Bowie, Bjork or Lady Gaga. The dark and fragile side that the designer pours into his fashion shows is accentuated by painful losses and despite the awards received, including an honor as “Commander of the Order of the British Empire” by Elizabeth II, the great pain will lead to his disappearance premature, taking his own life in 2010 and leaving the brand in the hands of Sarah Burton.
