Alexander McQueen dies at 40
Modern icon Alexander McQueen, in fashion and business, is found dead at his London apartment. The British fashion designer, with his 40 years, developed a career so complex and inspired - that he undoubtedly paved a new aesthetic in fashion while continuing to bring wearable innovation to his designs.
Although the nature of his passing is not known, police officials are ruling out any suspicious activity. The pressure of another collection only one month away from its unveiling at Paris fashion week, and all the buzz with London fashion week on the verge kept McQueen very present and busy. However, the recent death of his mother was hard for him to cope with according to recent posts on his twitter account.
Lee McQueen, the designer’s given name, began his work in fashion at the age of 16 - learning the classic British construction methods at Saville Row tailors Anderson and Shephard. At 20, he took an apprentice position at Koji Tatsuno - then later moved to Milan to act as Design Assistant to Romeo Gigli. Returning to college in 1994, McQueens master degree at Central St. Martins College culminated with his graduating collection purchased in full by Isabella Blow, another fashion icon and once-editor of Tatler.
Building the Alexander McQueen brand over the last 10 years, while working as the chief designer at Givenchy until 2001 - 51% of his label was purchased by the Gucci Group, who aggressively formulated the master brand to what it is today.
An ultimate face in fashion, the man’s tragic passing now puts his career into retrospective. It is a source of inspiration, and the proof that hard work, talent, and the extreme presence of passion is vital to success in this industry.
The British Vogue editor, Alexandra Shulman commented on her loss. "His brilliant imagination knew no bounds as he conjured up collection after collection of extraordinary designs. At one level he was a master of the fantastic, creating astounding fashion shows that mixed design, technology and performance and on another he was a modern-day genius whose gothic aesthetic was adopted by women the world over. His death is the hugest loss to anyone who knew him and for very many who didn't."
Although the nature of his passing is not known, police officials are ruling out any suspicious activity. The pressure of another collection only one month away from its unveiling at Paris fashion week, and all the buzz with London fashion week on the verge kept McQueen very present and busy. However, the recent death of his mother was hard for him to cope with according to recent posts on his twitter account.
Lee McQueen, the designer’s given name, began his work in fashion at the age of 16 - learning the classic British construction methods at Saville Row tailors Anderson and Shephard. At 20, he took an apprentice position at Koji Tatsuno - then later moved to Milan to act as Design Assistant to Romeo Gigli. Returning to college in 1994, McQueens master degree at Central St. Martins College culminated with his graduating collection purchased in full by Isabella Blow, another fashion icon and once-editor of Tatler.
Building the Alexander McQueen brand over the last 10 years, while working as the chief designer at Givenchy until 2001 - 51% of his label was purchased by the Gucci Group, who aggressively formulated the master brand to what it is today.
An ultimate face in fashion, the man’s tragic passing now puts his career into retrospective. It is a source of inspiration, and the proof that hard work, talent, and the extreme presence of passion is vital to success in this industry.
The British Vogue editor, Alexandra Shulman commented on her loss. "His brilliant imagination knew no bounds as he conjured up collection after collection of extraordinary designs. At one level he was a master of the fantastic, creating astounding fashion shows that mixed design, technology and performance and on another he was a modern-day genius whose gothic aesthetic was adopted by women the world over. His death is the hugest loss to anyone who knew him and for very many who didn't."