As many of you may know, The Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art has put together a tribute exhibit to the extraordinary designer Alexander McQueen. This weekend marks the end of the truly amazing show. I want to encourage anyone able to do so to brave the lines and crowds at the MET and visit the exhibition. You will not be disappointed.
Alexander McQueen, the fashion mogul who tragically took his life last year, was an incredible talent and asset to the entire world of design. Although his outlook on life was often dark, his dedication to fashion allowed him to produce cutting-edge, brilliant apparel for women.
Below is a gallery of images taken from the “Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty” book available at the MET. For those of you unable to view McQueen's creations in person, this book provides a proper window into the artist's life and career. Page after page beautifully illustrates the striking fashions on view at the MET, and the preface (by Chief Curator of the exhibit Andrew Bolton) is insightful and revealing. I hope you are able to grasp the sensationalism of McQueen’s designs from this selection of photos from "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty."
1 McQueen took much inspiration for his clothing from nature. This photograph, which looks like the bark of a tree, is appropriate as the opener of the book."Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty," The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
2 McQueen in his design studio in London."Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty," The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
3 The black outfit, when paired with a hat, resembles the traditional toro outfit. The red patterned dress has a similar Spanish flare. "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty," The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
4 A piece that reveals McQueen's innovations with fabric cutting and construction. The jacket demonstrates his impeccable tailoring, a skill that continued to develop during McQueen's tenure as creative director for Givenchy. "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty," The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
5 The exotic world, and specifically Japan, had a real impact on McQueen's designs. "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty," The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
6 I love comparing the front and back of this kimono-esque dress. Its shape very fashion-forward. "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty," The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
7 This design is from McQueen's Romantic Gothic collection was inspired by Tim Burton. "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty," The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
8 An other-wordly gown–both dark and angelic at the same time. "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty," The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
9 I stared at this dress and jacket for a long time at the exhibit. Made from gilded duck feathers and layers of tulle, it is truly stunning. "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty," The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
10 Here is a close-up of the duck feather jacket. "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty," The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
11 McQueen's Scottish heritage inspired an entire collection of work. When asked about the traditional garments, he said, "Every piece is unique and has emotional content. I want to create pieces that can be handed down, like an heirloom." "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty," The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
12 This dress reminds me of an old Hollywood glamour. "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty," The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
13 While working, McQueen liked to recall the styles and personas of great women of the past–Catherine the Great and Marie Antoinette, for example. This dress embodies the power and elegance of those iconic figures. "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty," The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
14 McQueen's combination of materials and attention to textures is so unique. "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty," The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
15 The collection is called "Romantic Nationalism," and is full of rich reds and Victorian fashions. "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty," The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
16 This satin cape is phenomenal, so luxurious and powerful. "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty," The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
17 A close-up of the cape, so that you can see the material and detailing. "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty," The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
18 Another extraordinary cape, this one is from the "Romantic Gothic" collection. "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty," The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
19 McQueen's collection "Romantic Exoticism" incorporates a wide range of sense stimuli: colors and textures taken from the natural world and global cultures. "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty," The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
20 The body of the dress is made from seashells. "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty," The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
21 A gown made entirely of pheasant feathers for the "Romantic Naturalism" collection. "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty," The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
22 This bright-daisy print has pop-art implications. "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty," The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
23 McQueen pairs the daisy print with a feathered train, lending the gown a more serious and elegant style. "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty," The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
24 This dress is known to many as the "shipwreck" dress. "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty," The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
25 Real antlers were used to poke through the lace embroidery of the piece. "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty," The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
26 This skirt design is made from wood. It reminds me of a birds tail. "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty," The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
27 McQueen was able to conjure up the most beautiful designs out of the most organic, unconventional materials. "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty," The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
28 Over the course of his career, McQueen designed all kinds of curiosities. His inspiration from the natural world is visible in these pieces. "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty," The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
29 A final shot of the artist himself. "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty," The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Regarding McQueen, Charles Isherwood for The New York Times said, “his daring, sometimes outlandish creations gave women a chance to play with new personas, escape into more daring, more debauched, more exotic roles.”
What many revere most about Alexander McQueen is his precise tailoring. A strong foundation in the traditions of sewing and textiles enabled the designer to later push the style envelope, to create the stunning clothes he is best remembered by.
Others marvel at McQueen's runway-shows, performances which often included installation art and references to pop culture and history. One of his shows, called It's Only a Game, enacted a game of chess inspired by the Harry Potter series.
Personally, I am in awe of McQueen’s visions. For me, his fashion demonstrates a passion and fervor for all things inspirational—whether the beautiful, the ugly, the historical, and even the supernatural. He embodies a creativity and drive that we in the design field strive for everyday.
Here is a wonderful quote, in the words of McQueen himself, that I find uplifting: “What you see in the work is the person itself. And my heart is in my work.”
Hopefully you find McQueen's legacy and fashions as remarkable as I do.
Kevin Sharkey 
From: Judy | 8/5/11 at 8:43 am
Thank you so much, Kevin. Alexander McQueen has always been one of my very favorites. I loved this blog.
From: David K. | 8/5/11 at 7:44 pm
Amazing! Each piece is mind-bogglingly beautiful! The gilded duck jacket is my favorite.
From: Aliana | 8/6/11 at 1:12 pm
Extraordinary designs. How sad that such a gifted man was in such pain that there was no other outlet besides taking his own life. Thank you for this lovely post.
From: Rowaida Flayhan | 8/7/11 at 2:06 am
He was an amazing British fashion designer. I was very sad about his death.
From: songfang | 8/10/11 at 12:13 am
Alexander McQueen is really a genius !like his desion! thanks for the nice post!
From: peter jones | 9/28/11 at 3:01 am
i loved that house.