Artist research - Major project

To get inspiration for my project I did research in fashion designer Alexander McQueen.

Lee alexander McQueen (1969) born in England was an English fashion designer. At age 16, McQueen dropped out of school and started to work in several tailor shops. After this he started working with theatrical costume designers. His dramatic style of clothing he made became a signature of his later design work. In 1992 he went back to school. He made a collection of his project that was inspired by jack the ripper, and this collection was entirety bought by Isabella Blow. Only four years later after his degree, he became head designer of the Louis Vuitton-owned Givency fashion line. In 2004 he launched his own menswear line. One of his famous designs was his "bumster" pants as shown below. For Alexander McQueen was the base of the spinal column the most interesting part of the body whereas people found it offensive.

Bumster style, 1996 by Alexander McQueen

He earned the British fashion Council's British Designer of the year award four times. With the help of Gucci's investment in his company, he became more successful than ever. He committed suicide in 2010, shortly after the death of his mother. 

His collection displayed a type of dark, twisted romance and took showmanship to a new level. He was an inspiration for many designers to explore their imaginations and taught to be daring. He is known for his bold and fascinating shows and changed the fashion industry.

The most dramatic and climactic runway presentation McQueen presented was titled "VOSS". This spring / summer 2001 collection took place inside one vast glass box with mirrored walls, so the audience peered back into their own eyes. The show was based on the Joel Peter Witkin image Sanitorium.

Spring / summer collection 2001 by Alexander McQueen

The designs that appealed to me for my project are shown below:

Spring collection 2005 by Alexander McQueen

Spring collection 2011 by Alexander McQueen

What I found so fascinating about these designs was because they are different. I also want to include this in my designs. Separate shapes and what you don't see easily.

On the first picture I really like the shape of the skirt and the color. It is similar to shape of the skirt from Anna Molinari, but I like this shape more. The color also appeals to me because it suits my theme. Although I have to think carefully if I can use this. I have a similar skirt but in black. and if I am going to do a photo shoot, this skirt is suitable but then I have to do it in black.

What I like about this design on the last picture, is that it is not all together. that it is not one whole but the most important parts of the body are covered. I think this is an appropriate dress for a red carpet.because it is longer on one side, I don't think the dress is too sexy. I think I like it for my design to use this on both sides so that the whole back is long but the front is short.

I am also thinking about which colors I want to use. I find the light pastel colors appropriate with my theme, but I also like the color black. In the last image it gives more of a dramatic look, it reminds me of the fairy tale maleficent. I now have to think about whether I want to go the happy or dark side.

Reference:

Marie Claire (No date) Alexander McQueen fashion catwalk archive moments [Online] Available from: https://www.marieclaire.co.uk/fashion/alexander-mcqueen-fashion-catwalk-archive-moments-115722 (Accessed 1st February 2021)

Britannica (No date) Alexander McQueen [Online] Available from:

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Alexander-McQueen (Accessed 1st February 2021) 

Cr fashionbook (2020) Alexander McQueen disrupted fashion legacy birthday [Online] Available from: https://www.crfashionbook.com/fashion/a26836785/alexander-mcqueen-disrupted-fashion-legacy-birthday/ (Accessed 1st February 2021) 

Glamour Magazine (2015) Alexander McQueen exhibition preview how he changed fashion [Online] Available from:  

https://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/gallery/alexander-mcqueen-exhibition-preview-how-he-changed-fashion (Accessed 1st February 2021)