The V&A is delighted to announce (alongside Swarovski) that it will present Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty in London next spring – 14th March to 19th July 2015.
It comes as no surprise that Alexander is praised by London’s culture vultures this year as best friend Isabella Blow received recognition at Somerset House’s exhibition in March 2014. McQueen’s love for London lives on, “London’s where I was brought up. It’s where my heart is and where I get my inspiration.” – Alexander McQueen, January 2000
The first and largest retrospective of the late designer’s work to be presented in Europe, the exhibition will showcase McQueen’s visionary body of work. Spanning his 1992 MA graduate collection to his unfinished A/W 2010 collection, McQueen’s designs will be presented with the dramatic staging and sense of spectacle synonymous with his runway shows.
The original version of Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York in 2011 was organised by the Costume Institute and became one of the Museum’s top 10 most visited exhibitions.
London born and educated, dubbed ‘enfant terrible’ by the fashion press, Lee Alexander McQueen (1969-2010) became one of the youngest designers to achieve the title ‘British Designer of the Year’, which he won four times between 1996 and 2003. In 2003 he was awarded a CBE and named ‘International Designer of the Year’ by the Council of Fashion Designers.
After leaving school aged 16 he began work at Saville Row tailors Anderson & Sheppard, before moving on to Gieves and Hawks Saville Row, and the famous theatrical costumiers Angels and Bermans.
At 20 years of age McQueen began working for the Japanese designer Koji Tatsuno, who was constructing clothes from antique cloth, followed by the designer Romeo Gigli. Gigli was enthralled by the young McQueen’s unique esoteric tailoring and employed him immediately.
He returned to London to complete an M.A. at St. Martins College of Art and Design, where his final collection gained him extensive press coverage, before launching his own label in 1992. Influential fashion stylist and magazine editor Isabella Blow purchased his entire graduation collection.
He was appointed head designer at Givenchy in 1996, succeeding John Galliano. In December 2000 the Gucci Group acquired a majority share of McQueen’s own company, and he continued to serve as Creative Director. McQueen’s sometimes stormy relationship with Givenchy ended in March 2001.
Over the next ten years McQueen opened stores in London, New York, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Milan. Collaborative works included working with Puma on a special line of trainers; launching McQ, a younger, lower priced collection; the launch of Kingdom and My Queen fragrances; and a collection of cosmetics designed for MAC inspired by Elizabeth Taylor in her role of Cleopatra. His designs were worn extensively by celebrities including Nicole Kidman, Sarah Jessica Parker, Bjork and Lady Gaga.
In February 2010, shortly after his mother’s death, McQueen was found dead in his London flat. His memorial service was attended by 2,500 guests, including the celebrities who wore his designs and friends and colleagues from the fashion industry.
Swarovski’s input and partnership with the V&A brings together Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty to London.
The crystal house and Alexander McQueen share a rich history, beginning in the 1990s when Isabella Blow introduced the young maverick designer to Nadja Swarovski. Swarovski went on to support McQueen’s Spring/Summer 1999 collection, the first of numerous collaborations including the creation, alongside Tord Boontje, of the V&A’s Grand Entrance crystal Christmas tree in 2003; and the dramatic Swarovski Gemstone-encrusted Bird’s Nest Headdress for his Autumn/Winter 2006 collection.
Swarovski has worked with designers since Daniel Swarovski’s precision-cut stones became prized ingredients in the dressmaking ateliers of Paris, beginning the tradition of close collaboration between Swarovski and haute couture that remains to this day. Roll on springtime, crystals are forever!
