The Fashion Cult » alexander mcqueen

McQueen Was Pushing for Grunge 2.0

The Fashion Cult — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 07:36:22 +0000

The late Alexander McQueen was a virtual couturier among ready-to-wear designers, and his final eponymous collection for Fall 2010 was a shining example of that fact. Like previous collections, each piece is of such a spectacular (read: expensive) order that they were rarely seen outside of the red carpet and pages of magazines – and in this season’s case, even that will likely be limited. Accordingly, the average jane must look to the diffusion line McQ, for realistic options for her wardrobe.

Unfortunately, the lower-priced line doesn’t come anywhere near the otherworldy extravagance of the main line – neither in make or style. However, the label does turn out some decent trendy bits that are timely, if not stylistically exceptional. The lookbook for this season shows a blatant push toward the return of grunge fashion. Note, however, that the grunge mood is predominately in the styling. The pieces can be made preppy, punk, or professional in the right combinations. See a few of the looks below, click the smaller pics on the right to shop.

Right: An embellished gown and cape from Alexander McQueen Fall/Winter 2010-2011

	Mcq Alexander Mcqueen Tiger Stripe Sweater
	McQ – Alexander McQueen Fair Isle Sweater
	McQ – Alexander McQueen Short Tweed Coat
	Alexander McQueen – McQ Tromp L’Oiel T-Shirt
	Alexander McQueen – McQ Grey Flannel Jacket
	Mcq Alexander Mcqueen Bat Sheer Dress

Alexander McQueen RTW Fall 2010

The Fashion Cult — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 21:38:17 +0000

The final Alexander McQueen collection designed by the label’s founder was seen in Paris today. Just sixteen pieces were shown to an intimate guest list in a gilded room at Francois Pinault headquarters. Though the collection was short, the impact was enormous – both because McQueen delivered a stunning couture-like pieces with immaculate embroidery and prints, and because the entire room (the entire world, in fact) knew it was the end of an era. Although his namesake brand will live on, these are the last works of the late Lee Alexander McQueen. According to WWD, the moment and the music (opera) produce tears in the eyes of many of those in attendance.

“It was a very moving experience to take a deep and serious look at his last collection. It showed Lee’s unique talent to create pieces of beauty that touch many of your senses, leaving one enriched,” said Robert Polet, CEO of the Gucci Group. “Although the sense of loss afterwards, I found overwhelming.”
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Unlike the short Fall proper collection (one wonders if that’s was really planned), McQueen’s pre-fall collection was a hulking 55+ pieces. Though still packed with McQueen drama, the collection seems more accessible to the average consumer than the one above. Almost as if this were RTW, while the main presentation were Fall 2010 couture. Hmm…

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Photos: wwd.com & alexandermcqueen.com via ana @tFS

McQueen Will Go On + Designer Left a Note

The Fashion Cult — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 14:32:10 +0000

The latest news in the suicide death of Lee Alexander McQueen is that the designer’s namesake label will continue despite his death. Additionally, the McQueen Fall/Winter 2010-11 collection will be shown in Paris next month.

From The Baltimore Sun:

Alexander McQueen’s namesake label will continue despite the death of the designer, the parent company PPR SA said Thursday.

Robert Polet, chief of the Gucci Group subsidiary, said the collection McQueen was working on before his death will be shown at Paris fashion week next month…

[Polet] said he spoke with McQueen a few weeks ago when the two men decided that “we have transitioned from being the name of a designer to putting in place the building blocks of a brand.”

“That means that will be my legacy,” McQueen had said, according to Polet. “That’s something I will always leave behind.”

Other sources also confirm that a note was found at the scene of McQueen’s death. The contents of that note have not been released.

Remembering McQueen VIDEO

The Fashion Cult — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 18:02:41 +0000

See the playlist below for 18 shows from Alexander McQueen, dating back to 2005.

Get your own piece of fashion history: Shop clothing and accessories for men and women by Alexander McQueen.

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Alexander McQueen – 236720BCU0Y (Navy / Red) – Bags and Luggage

Zappos.com is proud to offer the Alexander McQueen – 236720BCU0Y (Navy / Red) – Bags and Luggage: Get your kicks on the wrong side of the tracks! You’ve tried being a good girl, but the playing with fire was more fun! Incinerate your image with the blazing bonfire of beauty that is this Alexander McQueen™ handbag! ; Stunning shoulder bag made of leather. ; Holds your wallet, keys, lipstick, mints, and a slim cell phone. ; Single shoulder strap. Shoulder drop: 23 length. ; Snap flap exterior pockets. ; Zipper-toothed edging. ; Hypnotically repeated circular pattern stylishly stitched at the bottom edge. ; Platform bottom. ; Top zip closure. ; Interior lining with a back wall slip pocket. ; Dimensions: 9 wide x 2 1/2 deep x 8 high. ; Made in Italy. ; 11.00 oz.

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Alexander McQueen – McQ Blue Plaid Motorcycle Jacket (Blue) – Apparel

Zappos.com is proud to offer the Alexander McQueen – McQ Blue Plaid Motorcycle Jacket (Blue) – Apparel: Do you have a checkered past? Do your arithmetic and dress to the nines blazing into the fierce future wrapped in this magnificent McQ™ Blue Plaid Motorcycle Jacket! ; Banded collar with double snap button closure. ; Double zipper front closure. ; Long sleeves with zippered ends. ; Zippered front pockets. ; Lower front welt pockets. ; Straight cut bottom hem. ; Inner chest pocket. ; 51% cotton and 49% wool. ; Body lining: 100% cotton. ; Sleeve lining: 100% viscose. ; Body padding: 100% polyester. ; Sleeve padding: 40% viscose, 40% polyester, and 20% wool. ; Dry clean only. ; Made in Italy. ; Product measurements were taken using size 50 (US 40). Please note that measurements may vary by size.

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Shocking News: Alexander McQueen Found Dead from Apparent Suicide

The Fashion Cult — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 16:24:55 +0000

He was just 40 years old. McQueen’s death comes just days after the death of his mother, Joyce. UK’s Daily Mail online reports that he hanged himself.

McQueen’s diffusion line McQ was set to show today – the first day of New York Fashion Week – at Milk Studios. The designer’s presentations were always ones to watch, as he was a leader in the artistry of fashion. If the blizzard if NYC hadn’t already cast a pall on the week, this certainly will do the job.

Count your blessings, followers. This just goes to show that the person you might be looking up to appears to have everything in the world, and yet they feel they have nothing to live for. Find your peace. Click here to watch McQueen videos.

Read & See Alexander McQueen on The Fashion Cult

photos: dailymail.co.uk, kinho.com

Alexander McQueen Men’s A/W 2010-11 VIDEO

The Fashion Cult — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 02:33:29 +0000

Another amazing show from fashion genius Alexander McQueen. His collections are the epitome of apparel meets art and shows like this support that fact. From a distance, the print that covers every inch of the walls and runway looks as frilly as a paisley print. But look closer and you’ll see that the pretty is composed of skeleton parts. Very McQueen.

McQueen is always in a class on his own, but even he showed a few of the season’s biggest trends. NOTE: fur, all over print, vinyl, and head-to-toe gray.

My favorite pieces in the collection show off McQueen’s exquisite use of print. I’m especially fascinated with the long coat, whose print looks like a photo of water splashing. It makes you feel like you are right in the middle of the splash. Surreal!

photos: WWD.com

Lady Gaga’s ‘Bad Romance’ is a Visual Feast…

The Fashion Cult — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 05:02:26 +0000

… but an aural let down. I like Lady Gaga’s voice and her commitment to pushing the boundaries, but I’m as yet unmoved by her music. Perhaps I should leave the music analysis to the Cult Beat Stylist (coming 2010!).

Belle Brings McQueen’s Spring Down to Earth

The Fashion Cult — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 19:36:53 +0000

Catastrophy flick “2012” premiere last evening in Los Angeles. Oddly the year for which the movie is named can hardly be called futuristic anymore, as it’s just around the corner (my, I’m getting old). Still, even next years number – 2010 – has a ring of science fiction for those of us that came of age in the dark ages that was the 20th century.

So it was more than appropriate to see actress Camilla Belle wearing a gorgeous dress from Alexander McQueen’s Spring 2010 collection. Belle took a piece from a show that seemed utterly other-worldly and brought it right down to consumer-friendly earth. Well… if you’re an exceedingly well-heeled consumer, that is.

McQueen’s Spring 2010 show was a visual sensation. It was one of my favorites of the seasons, although I couldn’t imagine myself in a single piece that went down the runway. Might have been the alien-like styling, or it might of been the painfully thin powder white models. Either way it was more art than dress for me. But Belle, with soft makeup and smart accessories made the frock much more relatable.

It was especially difficult to chose highlights from this show, as each piece was exquisite and essential to the overall collection. And the video is a must see (below). Click photos for larger views.

The Shoes

The Handbags

The Dresses

The Video

Runway photos: nymag.com

Win Little Boots’ GQ Clutch!

The Fashion Cult — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 19:38:30 +0000

I was already getting set to list Little Boots (aka Victoria Hesketh) as one of the Best Dressed at GQ’s Men of the Year Awards when into by inbox pops a note from the always awesome farfetch.com. The online retailer has teamed up with Elle UK in a giveaway contest for the clutch by Alexander McQueen, as seen on L.B.’s purple-polished hands. What a pleasant coincidence! Click here to enter to win. There’s only one winner, but if you are well heeled you can shop Alexander McQueen at farfetch.com

See more best dressed from the GQ event below. Despite the occasion, there were few male standouts.

Kelly Brook

Freida Pinto, wearing Christopher Kane

Gemma Arterton, wearing Louis Vuitton

Giles Deacon & Ross Kemp

Cult Picks: Bravo’s The Fashion Show

The Fashion Cult — Fri, 29 May 2009 05:53:15 +0000

In episode 4 of Bravo’s “The Fashion Show” the judges were 2 for 3 in choosing the best three looks from episode 4. Cult Picks: Johnny, Jean Paul Gaultier wedges; Daniella, Alexander McQueen pumps; Rico, Yves Saint Laurent

The show’s designer contestants have, in most cases, well-defined style. Some favorites:

But the Cult pick for best dressed overall goes to Anna:

Host Kelly Rowland is well-styled, too:

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