Alexander McQueen: Inside the Creative Mind of a Legendary Fashion Designer

by Claire Wilcox (editor)

This definitive publication on Alexander McQueen invites you into the creative mind and world of one of Britain’s most brilliant, daring, and provocative designers, and the many themes and references that shaped his visionary fashion collections.

“He brought a uniquely British sense of daring and aesthetic fearlessness to the global stage of fashion. In such a short career, Alexander McQueen’s influence was astonishing—from street style, to music culture and the world’s museums.” —Anna Wintour, editor, Vogue magazine

A true comprehensive study, this catalog is the first in-depth look at McQueen and explores key themes of the Alexander Savage Beauty exhibition—tailoring, gothic, primitivism, naturalism, and futurism. Curated by London College of Fashion lecturer Claire Wilcox, the book also features previously unseen material as well as groundbreaking essays and feature spreads by multiple authors and leading fashion commentators.

This kaleidoscopic approach explores themes central to the designer’s work and his Alexander McQueen also offers an encyclopedic survey of McQueen’s catwalk collections, illustrated with striking images by leading fashion photographers and specially commissioned photographs that capture the breathtaking skill of his designs and awesome theatricality of his shows. More than a coffee table book, this is a representation of one man’s genius, a genius that left the world of fashion all too soon.

For anyone who loved and admired Alexander McQueen and his work, for anyone with a passion for British style, and for those who want to better understand McQueen’s place in the history of fashion, this is a one-of-a-kind illustrated treasure.

Genres: Fashion, Art, Nonfiction, Fashion Design, Photography

352 pages, Hardcover

First published April 7, 2015

About the author

From Wikipedia: Claire Wilcox (born 1954)[1] is senior curator of fashion at the Victoria and Albert Museum.[2] She received an honorary doctorate in art and design from Middlesex University in July 2017.[3] She sits on the editorial board of the journal Fashion Theory.[4] She is professor of fashion curation at the London College of Fashion. She won the 2021 PEN/Ackerley Prize for Patch Work.[5]

(Not to be confused with American economist https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

Reviews

[manque · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this might be one of the better books on Alexander McQueen. Compared to 'Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty' there are many many photos of runway shows and behind the scenes, whereas the former mostly has photos of the clothing on inanimate mannequins (which misses the point in my opinion, I prefer to see the costumes in human animation). I find it very invigorating to flip through the photos of his macabre and sublime creations. I also enjoyed how chapters were thematically arranged, dedicated to his various streams of inspiration, allowing me to follow up on the things and people that influenced his work.

[Cat Woods · Rating 5 out of 5]

Had he lived, Alexander McQueen would have celebrated his 46th year last week. But the Brit fashion “wildchild” and master of both tailoring and fierce, warrior women garb suicided in February 2010. His fashion legacy has been continued authentically through the designs and vision of his assistant Sarah Burton, who took the reins soon after his death and has been embraced by his fans and new league of followers.
Alexander “Lee” McQueen was not a provocateur of the “Now see THIS!” variety as witnessed with Jeremy Scott, bare-breasted models, safety pin dresses and rats on the runway. Rather, his clothes, his catwalks and his editorials were works of art. Referencing history – and imagined worlds and characters – he ruffled the feathers of editors and feminists especially with his Highland Rape (2004) and pants cut so deep in the hip they made “bumsters” a phenomenon.
A patron and great lover of the music, culture and arts world, McQueen designed David Bowie’s 1996 and 1997 tours, also dressing him for the album cover of 97s Earthling. His highly tailored and chic designs spoke of fierce strength and attitude – exemplified in wearers Bjork, Cate Blanchett, Penelope Kidman, Nicole Kidman, Lady Gaga and Rihanna.
Amongst his most memorable catwalk events was the holographic Kate Moss – McQueen a great fan of technology and science; the glass box of moths that for an hour behaved as a mirror, reflecting the fashion crowd back to themselves (VOSS, 2001); the Spring 1999 Collection where robots sprayed the pure white dress of Shalom Harlow live on stage as she spun like a doll in a box; the gothic geishas with painted black mouths in 2009.
“There’s something . . . kind of Edgar Allan Poe, kind of deep and kind of melancholic about my collections,” McQueen once mused.
Indeed, from inscribing filthy words into the Savile Row coat of Prince Charles to the finest feathered details on his dresses, McQueen was a poet with a pen, fabric and a vast fashion house to create savage beauty.
Without a first class ticket to the Victoria & Albert Museum in Britain, I have settled in with the impeccably presented tome Alexander McQueen, edited by Claire Wilcox. The accompaniment to Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty at the V&A, it includes over 400 images of both photographs and sketches previously unseen, along with 28 essays from expert fashion commentators, scholars and McQueen collaborators.

[Frances Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This beautiful book was an excellent addition to the alexander mcqueen exhibition at the v&a - the most breathtaking exhibit i have ever been to. I have not finished this book as i like to have it out and just read at leisure, and for now have been taking in the wonderful imagery and quotes. He was such an inspirational man, and I will look up to him always. The price of this book is excellent value for money also and if you did not get a chance to visit the savage beauty exhibition then i would highly recommend this to you.

[Bel ★ tortured poet. · Rating 4 out of 5]

★★★★☆
4 stars

[Izzy Bentley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting summary of McQueen’s shows from his debut masters collection to his 2010 final collection. The book gives a good in-depth insight into what inspired many of these collections and how McQueen worked tirelessly to collaborate with many other talented artists and designers from all areas of design to create the incredible visual experiences his shows became known for. Definitely inspirational in its description for his thirst for knowledge and research of his areas of passion though slightly hard to stick with the book at times and fully absorb all the information. Wouldn’t recommend as light bedtime reading, but worth spending some time to read up more on McQueen if you’re a designer.

[Cristina]

It's an amazing insight into McQueen's world and genius! Enjoyed every page of it! So many unknown facts and details on his life and work, that it literally helps you feel as if you lived and witnessed personally those moments of his life described in the book. It was written with so much love and admiration for his creation which makes understand him even better, and love even more! Love for McQueen forever!

[Jaimie · Rating 5 out of 5]

We’ve already explored Savage Beauty, the accompanying catalogue from the Alexander McQueen exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (2011), so it was a no brainer that we also had to pick up this catalogue, which accompanies the redux exhibition presented by the Victoria and Albert Museum in 2015. Savage Beauty may have been the original presentation, and I loved the catalogue (of course), but this weighty tome was equally as good. Presented not so much as an exhibition catalogue (installation shots from the show are scarce and clearly not the focus) as a complete retrospective, the book collects essays that span a myriad of topics related to Alexander McQueen and his pioneering fashion career. Covering the biographical basics, McQueen’s technical expertise, presentation stylings, and the many recurring themes and motifs throughout his work, each essay is like a small jewelled window into his personality and work. These brief glimpses give us just enough information to pique interest, without becoming too intensive (as could easily be the case with an exploration of McQueen, who was as far from a shallow character as one could get), and make the book very readable and easy to access. Presented alongside a careful layout of photographs - which include historical inspirations and imagery, catwalk stills, close-ups of individual pieces, sketches, and behind the scenes photographs - which match up with the text well, we’re left with one of the best fashion tomes I’ve seen yet. I can always go for more McQueen, so do I dare I say that I was actually satisfied with this book? In this case, I’ll allow it!

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked up a copy of this beautiful book following a trip to the V&A to see the Alexander McQueen exhibition. As a coffee table style book, I expected more images and less text, however this is a very essay heavy book - which is why I have given a lower score than I had intended.

For anyone who is a true fan or lover of fashion, I would heavily recommend this book for the depth and breadth it covers. The images are beautiful, but in some places sparing. An exquisitely crafted ode to the life and career of Alexander McQueen, but for me personally it did take me 2 years to read in full as I didn't always feel compelled to finish another essay.

[Rebecca Duke · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a massive Lee McQueen fan, I had high expectations of this book and I was not let down. It was wonderful!!! Really encapsulated his genius as a rare, and wondrous witness to the world. Written by the people who knew the man best. I recommend this book to not only fashion fans, but all of humanity.

[Mark Bieraugel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book covering Alexander Mcqueen's fashion designs, influences, and his background. Examines various themes in his work via individual chapters. Extraordinary images, including the designer's original drawings. Note: covers only McQueen's fashion house, not much on his time as Givenchy's women's designer.

[Luca Muresan · Rating 5 out of 5]

a beautiful, comprehensive Alexander McQueen encyclopedia. my favourite designer and one I hold a great deal of admiration for. i will leave a quote i really liked:
“I want to depict the times I live in. And, photography for me, is painting of the mind. Sometimes it’s just the one image that creates the whole illusion for that particular period in time” — Alexander McQueen

[Ellen Van Den Broecke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenomenal texts written on an intriguing figure.

[Serena · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice collection of essays detailing McQueen's creative inspirations and working method. I would've liked to see more pictures, however.

[Glosodom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good hardcover

[Mia Caven · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book - it was a nice perspective that was personal on Alexander McQueen and a great foundation for all of his work

[Céline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un bel ouvrage sur l'exposition "Savage Beauty : Alexander McQueen" organisée au Victoria & Albert Museum.

Bonsoir.

[Manny Villa]

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[O.R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow.

[Laura Vianello · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply spectacular, just as the exhibition itself.

[Emmapeel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lo ricordo bene, io che di solito non rammento mai niente, era il 12 febbraio 2010. Ero appena arrivata in un coloratissimo alberghino di Siem Reap, stavo facendo il check in quando un televisore gracchiò il suicidio di McQueen e mi sembrò tutto talmente incongruo da non poter essere vero, oh, non è vero, dissi al concierge in italiano, non ottenendone ovviamente alcun conforto. Alexander McQueen fu uno stilista talmente al di fuori e al di sopra della media che riesce difficile ancora oggi pensare che abbia davvero potuto immaginarli, quei vestiti. Alla fine non erano nemmeno più tali, erano astrazione pura, contenitori zeppi di riferimenti iconografici coltissimi e suggestioni culturali, gothic punk vittoriano e Antonello da Messina, japan manga e National History Museum, las meninas, Hieronymus Bosch e le wunderkammer settecentesche, Macbeth e l'estetica sadomaso. Tutto rutilante e rigorosissimo insieme. Riusciva a rendere elegante qualunque cosa, un cappello con un paio di corna di cervo, un abito-ventaglio fatto di stecche di legno, delle scarpe a forma di armadillo. C'era sempre qualcosa di sospeso, dark, estremo e lievemente triste nei suoi abiti, non erano di questo mondo per così dire, spesso tassidermie con piume, pelli, ossa, farfalle, petali, conchiglie, magari era questo; o forse l'eleganza rarefatta à la Balenciaga, altro stilista poco carnale, diciamo: chi bacerebbe mai una dea, un fantasma preraffaellita, una sposa cadavere di Poe? Il catalogo di questa meravigliosa retrospettiva 'Savage beauty', in mostra questi mesi al Victoria & Albert Museum di Londra, ripercorre tutta la vicenda artistica e poetica di McQueen con dovizia di testimonianze, analisi e documentazione iconografica. Un libro bellissimo, naturalmente sconsigliato a qualunque maschio eterosessuale dovesse mai capitare di qua.