The fashion world in mourning
February 11th 2010 23:47
I awoke today to the shocking news that British fashion designer Alexander McQueen had been found dead in his London home. He was 40 years old, and his death appears to have been a suicide. Tributes have already begun flowing in from around the world, with fashion's elite describing the passing of the avant-garde designer as "devastating".
"He was a genius. What a terrible, tragic waste," said fellow British designer Katherine Hamnett.
The news comes just a week after McQueen's mother passed away, and nearly three years after the suicide of McQueen's close friend and the woman who 'discovered' him, Isabella Blow.
McQueen's designs were renowned for being unique, imaginative and on the cutting edge of design. He was a four-time winner of the British designer of the year award, and had a strong following from celebrities, models and other high profile figures. Supermodel Kate Moss said she was "shocked and devastated" on hearing the sad news, while Alexandra Shulman, editor of British Vogue, said that his death "is the hugest loss to anyone who knew him and for very many who didn't."
While many considered McQueen's designs to be outlandish, there's no doubt that he was a creative genius who broadened the parameters of fashion. "He influenced a whole generation of designers," said Shulman. "His brilliant imagination knew no bounds as he conjured up collection after collection of extraordinary designs." Indeed, McQueen's latest collection, Spring/Summer 2010, was critically acclaimed by fashion's elite and described by British Vogue as his best ever.
McQueen named French designer Yves Saint Laurent as his greatest influence: "a man that I always revered and tried to emulate," he was quoted as saying. Saint Laurent's former partner, Pierre Berge, took the time to express his sorrow about McQueen's passing. "This death upsets me greatly," Berge said on France Info radio. "He had talent and was an artist. Not many people contribute in life. In any case, he was talented, he showed it, he was passionate about fashion".
The British designer will be sorely missed in a world where, so often, the imaginary takes precedence over reality... and we wouldn't have it any other way. Rest in peace, Alexander McQueen.
Alexander McQueen: dead at 40.
"He was a genius. What a terrible, tragic waste," said fellow British designer Katherine Hamnett.
The news comes just a week after McQueen's mother passed away, and nearly three years after the suicide of McQueen's close friend and the woman who 'discovered' him, Isabella Blow.
The revered designer with supermodels Naomi Campbell, Kate Moss and Anabel Nielsen in 2004
With actress and fashion icon Sarah Jessica Parker in 2006
McQueen's designs were renowned for being unique, imaginative and on the cutting edge of design. He was a four-time winner of the British designer of the year award, and had a strong following from celebrities, models and other high profile figures. Supermodel Kate Moss said she was "shocked and devastated" on hearing the sad news, while Alexandra Shulman, editor of British Vogue, said that his death "is the hugest loss to anyone who knew him and for very many who didn't."
From his Fall 2009 collection
An artiste... 'never banal'
One of my personal favourites
While many considered McQueen's designs to be outlandish, there's no doubt that he was a creative genius who broadened the parameters of fashion. "He influenced a whole generation of designers," said Shulman. "His brilliant imagination knew no bounds as he conjured up collection after collection of extraordinary designs." Indeed, McQueen's latest collection, Spring/Summer 2010, was critically acclaimed by fashion's elite and described by British Vogue as his best ever.
From the Alexander McQueen Spring/Summer 2010 collection, shown at Paris Fashion Week in October 2009
McQueen was 'an avant-garde visionary'
... just beautiful.
McQueen named French designer Yves Saint Laurent as his greatest influence: "a man that I always revered and tried to emulate," he was quoted as saying. Saint Laurent's former partner, Pierre Berge, took the time to express his sorrow about McQueen's passing. "This death upsets me greatly," Berge said on France Info radio. "He had talent and was an artist. Not many people contribute in life. In any case, he was talented, he showed it, he was passionate about fashion".
The British designer will be sorely missed in a world where, so often, the imaginary takes precedence over reality... and we wouldn't have it any other way. Rest in peace, Alexander McQueen.
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