A Fallen Fashion Icon

On Thursday, Feb. 11, world renowned fashion designer Alexander McQueen was found dead.  In the wake of his mother’s death only 10 days earlier, the 40-year-old British icon hanged himself in his London home. 

McQueen “adored his mother,” reported the Sydney Morning Herald, and they shared a special bond. She was a major influence in his life and when she passed away, he was terribly distraught. He took his life a day before he and his family were to attend her funeral.

His mother, Joyce, was not the only important woman in his life whom he had lost. He was also devastated when stylist Isabella Blow committed suicide in 2007. She was the one who discovered McQueen, mentored him and helped him launch his career. The designer was so affected by his friend’s death that he dedicated his 2008 spring/summer show at Paris Fashion Week to her. 

McQueen was known for his dramatic statement pieces and impeccable tailoring. In 1994 he enrolled in London’s Central Saint Martins’ school of fashion. After graduation, he began his own business in the city’s East End and in 1996 he was named head designer at Givenchy. Soon after, he became creative director at Gucci, who had bought 51% of his company and helped encourage his own designs.

Alexandra Shulman, editor of British Vogue, said, “McQueen influenced a whole generation of designers. His brilliant imagination knew no bounds as he conjured up collection after collection of extraordinary designs.”

His collections were fierce and out-of-the-box extraordinary. Bright colours, bold patterns and extravagant material — McQueen’s exquisite, couture-quality gowns never disappointed the fashion world, and his runway shows were more like theatrical performance pieces because they were so dramatic and sometimes bizarre. 

During his career, his work was highly praised. He was named International Designer of the Year at the Council of Fashion Designer Awards, as well as British Designer of the Year four times between 1996 and 2003. 

McQueen received recognition from Queen Elizabeth II in 2003, when she made him a Commander of the British Empire for his fashion leadership. He was a beloved, avant-garde designer to many celebrity friends like Janet Jackson, Sarah Jessica Parker and Gwen Stefani, to name only a few. 

McQueen was honoured with a minute’s silence at the launch of London Fashion Week on Feb. 19. It was just one of many tributes for the creative genius and his impeccable designs. His brilliance will live on in the fashion realm and we hope he has found peace wherever he is.

— Sarah DiVito