alexander mcqueen 2011

lindsey wixson for alexander mcqueen 2011.

Masters of black

another incredible exhibit i experienced in antwerp was the "black, masters of black in fashion and costume" exhibit at the mode musuem.

its concept was to illustrate different historical phases of the color black, combining historical clothing, fashion and paintings - all of which were included in the curation of the exhibit. featuring garments by: givenchy, adriaen hannerman, viktor and rolf, bernhard willhelm, anthony can dyck, gareth pugh, olivier theyskens, alexander mcqueen, ann demeulemeester, yves saint laurent, raf simons, yohji yamamoto, and chanel, it was an incredible collection of some of the most masterfully created and displayed garments i've ever seen.

these pictures don't even kind of do the exhibit justice. it was enormous, and broken down into 22 different categories: black, a colour?, black dye, noble black, black and white, fashionable black, men in black, black in the children's wardrobe, comme des garcons, junya watanabe, mourning or fashion (pt. 1), gareth pugh, film noir, raf simons, mourning or fashion (pt. 2), christophe coppens, romance & rebellion, ann demeulemeester, modernity: the little black dress, masters of light, masters of light: embroidery, masters of light: feathers & plumes, masters of light: texture, masters of light: lace, and masters of light: 3-d.

SUCH a wonderful treat. i purchased the exhibition book and will treasure it forever and ever.

enjoy the photos!

black exhibit:

tell what/where it was, and the way they broke down the categories into the different historical phases of the color black.

mcqueen via proenza

i stumbled upon these gorgeous kicks on jak and jil, and was instantly stuck by how much their silhouette resembles mcqueen's reptile booties. although a much more wearable version, i'm attracted to the curviness of the shoe and its powerful structure, and i appreciate the tastefulness of the animal skin, as well. i find that many of my animal print heels have created dusty homes in the back of my closet, but i really like how proenza schouler embraced the look here.

philip treacy

this is certainly a brief survey of the vast array of hats that comprise philip treacy's unbelievable oeuvre. head milliner for chanel, alexander mcqueen, and now valentino, treacy's fantastical, avant-garde creations have produced some of fashion's most provocative and controversial looks.

i had the distinct pleasure of interviewing mr. treacy at an avent held at neimans yesterday, and was thrilled with the opportunity to pick the brain of one of the most innovative designers of our time. the interview will be posted on secondcitystyle.com next week, and i'll be sure to let you all know when it's posted.

until then, enjoy some hats!

images: beautifuldecay.com

mcqueen's final collection

a mystifying, gorgeous, expertly detailed and crafted final collection from alexander mcqueen. an even greater testament to the artist we've lost. his couture embellishments are exquisite, and i adore his continuation of the other worldly/reptilian inspiration.

rip alexander mcqueen.

images: style.com

connie lim for alexander mcqueen

fashion illustrator connie lim's illustrations of alexander mcqueen's f/w 09 collection. her drawing of the shoes in the bottom of the photography is sensational...they actually look three-dimensional, and appear to have weight to them. the bouffant in the first image is like my hair dream come true. gorgeous gorgeous.

images: dazed digital

the final mcq

these images are from alexander mcqueen's final collection: "McQ," featuring the delightfully expressive model, yuri plesku. infused with the punk aesthetic so well-known by mcqueen, combined with dashing men's separates that speak poignantly of british elegance, it's sad to know that these are the last looks we'll ever receive from the brilliant, iconic designer.

images: refinery29

rip lee alexander mcqueen

although i'm a day late on here, i followed the horrific news all day on twitter yesterday and could not get alexander mcqueen out of my head. by now you all know that he committed suicide yesterday morning, that his 3pm McQ presentation was canceled, and that the fashion industry is reeling from the shock of losing such a prolific, masterful, imaginative designer. it's easy to forget that icons are indeed human beings first. the fact that mcqueen was unable to reconcile his personal demons amidst a world and industry who so highly revered him, alongside a career so marked by success, is a devastating reminder that no one has it all.  you never know what's going on behind the closed doors of an individual's personal life. 

he will be deeply and sorrowfully missed. that we will never again see one of his spectacular collections or groundbreaking shows is a travesty. his life and career ended far too soon, and the void his absence leaves in the fashion world is profound.

rip alexander mcqueen - march 17, 1969 - february 11, 2010

image source: style.com, grazia daily, getty