By Gabriel Gima
Fashion has gained a noble legend. With the passing of Alexander McQueen on
Thursday, February 12, one can only be smitten by the art and history he
created in his 40 years, which remain for us to observe, wear, touch, and
experience.
The youngest of six, McQueen knew his destiny at an early
age, yet knowledge of his extraordinary talents did not move him to forego
thorough training and study. At the age
of 16, McQueen learned tailoring in the traditional form we fondly remember
through his time at the 1906‑established Anderson and Sheppard, the 200 plus
year old establishment of Gieves & Hawkes, as well as the famous costumier
shop of Angels and Bermans. Everything
calculated, everything placed in its order, just like the collections he
masterfully brought to life. When he
left the house of Romeo Gigli in Milan in 1994, McQueen returned to his native
London for academic training at Central Saint Martins, where he graduated with
a masters in fashion design.
McQueen’s career accelerated when in his mid–twenties., just
out of school, he was given the post of designer at the couture house of
Givenchy, earned British Designer of the Year Award four times, birthed his own
collection bearing his name, and collaborated with fashion powerhouse Gucci
Group which invested in the growth of the Alexander McQueen label.
In 2003, Mr. McQueen was also awarded the prestigious
International Award by the Council of Fashion Designers of America.
And then the magic just continued. The dramatic fashion show presentations kept
everyone in wonder: “What is this man going to do next, we’ve seen it all. How does this man move me to love, cry,
scream, and live, all within the span of a 15 minute show?” It was his soul he was opening to us. From precision to craft, from entertainment
to showmanship, from art to legend, each garment that McQueen created and
showed raised the highest level of design for the entire fashion world. The man will be missed, but oh what fun it
was to have him here with us!
“L’enfant Terrible,” as he was commonly referred to, has
ended one journey to begin his next. We
can be sure that those left behind will continue to bow down in awe of the
magnificence and bravado of Sir Lee Alexander McQueen.
[Houston Chronicle]
[fall winter 2009 rtw]
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