Well I was going to talk about the latest raw edges trend this week, but the news I have just recieved about the sudden death of fashion ledgend Alexander McQueen has changed my tune slightly.
Instead as a small tribute to some of his greater fashion moments and their impact on the clothes we wear today.
His very first graduation collection from Central St Martins called Highland Rape marked the birth of the eccentric fashion designer. A media frenzy ensued and the entire collection was brought by infamous fashion editor Isabella Blow.
Ever wondered how hipsters became fashionable in the early noughties? It was all down to McQueen’s ‘bumster’ trousers that were so low they unveiled the top of the bottom. Needless to say this style was a bit too risky for ordinary folk to wear, so the highstreet highered the waistband and re-named them ‘hipsters’.
McQueen was one of the first of Kate Moss’ famous friends to speak out after ‘those pictures’ seen with Kate snorting coccaine were splashed across the newspapers in 2006. After all her big advertising clients dropped her, he was one of the first to show his support and help her climb back up the ladder to the throne she once again reigns.
There have been many a designer create the ultimate handbag but not since Hermes Birkin bag had a waiting list been so long to own such an expensive bag. The Novak is without doubt the most coveted bag of the last decade.
The Skull Scarf was the first iconic item from his McQ line in 2007 for the girl who could not afford the usual McQueen price tag. It was seen on every young It girl and hot celebrity of the time and quickly became the most desirable fashion item. It also sparked off the trend for all things skull related in fashion, hence why skull prints and jewellery are still so popular today.
And finally his last critical acclaim of recent months is the Armadillo shoe. As worn by Lady Gaga in her video Bad Romance, the ancient Chinese influenced shoe was an instant sellout before it was even availible to buy.
His collection for Autumn/Winter was due to be shown in Paris during Fashion Week. Undoubtly when it is revealed this collection will become his most iconic and legendary and mark the end of an era in the world of fashion design for breaking down the boundaries of art and fashion.