Alexander McQueen

Alexander McQueen, born as Lee Alexander McQueen, was a renowned fashion designer known for his innovative designs and technical skills. He was born and educated in London.

At the age of 16, Alexander McQueen started his apprenticeship on Mayfair's Savile Row, a renowned hub for British menswear tailoring. He honed his skills at Anderson & Sheppard and Gieves & Hawkes.

In 1989, McQueen collaborates with Romeo Gigli in Milan, learning valuable lessons about self-promotion in the fashion industry.

Alexander McQueen's legacy is defined by his distinctive collections and his lasting impact on the fashion industry.

In July 1990, Alexander McQueen resigned from his position at Romeo Gigli's studio in Milan, Italy. Despite having no standing job offer, he had secured a position with Gigli based on his portfolio and tailoring experience.

In March 1992, Alexander McQueen showcased his graduation collection titled 'Jack the Ripper Stalks His Victims' at London Fashion Week. The collection was a success, being bought in its entirety by magazine editor Isabella Blow.

In March 1993, Alexander McQueen debuted his post-graduation collection titled Taxi Driver during London Fashion Week, featuring the iconic 'bumster' trousers and hair locks sewn into the clothes.

After Madonna wore a pair of low-rise jeans in an MTV advert in 1994, inspired by McQueen's 'bumsters', it sparked a trend in fashion.

In March 1995, Alexander McQueen presented the Highland Rape collection, which stirred controversy and established his 'enfant terrible' reputation. The collection paid tribute to his Scottish heritage with tartan patterns and provocative designs.

In 1996, Alexander McQueen won the British Designer of the Year award and started collaborating with Givenchy under LVMH. This marked a significant milestone in his career.

In October 1997, Alexander McQueen's debut show for Givenchy, featuring Greek mythology-inspired designs, was considered a failure by some critics. McQueen himself expressed dissatisfaction with the collection, referring to it as 'crap'.

In 1998, Alexander McQueen invited Aimee Mullins to open his Spring/Summer show, where she made history by wearing a pair of artfully carved wooden prosthetic legs. This marked the first appearance of an amputee on an international fashion runway.

In June 1999, Alexander McQueen's Spring/Summer 1999 collection was showcased at the V&A Fashion in Motion event. The live catwalk presentation took place at the Museum.

In December 2000, the Gucci Group (now Kering) acquired a majority stake in Alexander McQueen's company, allowing him to continue as the creative director.

In March 2001, Alexander McQueen left Givenchy after his contract ended, citing that the label had started to 'constrain' his creativity. His relationship with Givenchy was tumultuous throughout his tenure.

In October 2001, a V&A Fashion in Motion event celebrated the collaboration between Alexander McQueen and jewellery designer Shaun Leane. The event attracted over 3,000 people to the Museum's grand entrance.

In January 2003, Alexander McQueen partnered with perfumer Jacques Cavallier to introduce his first fragrance Kingdom, which debuted on the designer's birthday on 17 March.

In 2004, Alexander McQueen introduced a separate menswear collection with his first menswear runway show in Milan, earning him the title of GQ magazine's Designer of the Year.

In 2005, Alexander McQueen partnered with Puma to create a line of men's and women's footwear, blending tradition and technology in the designs.

In Autumn/Winter 2006, a Pepper's Ghost illusion of Kate Moss wearing a silk organza dress was featured in Alexander McQueen's The Widows of Culloden collection. The art direction was done by Baillie Walsh.

Isabella Blow, Alexander McQueen's biggest supporter, tragically committed suicide, leaving McQueen devastated.

On October 11, 2007, Alexander McQueen participated in MAC's promotion of cosmetic releases, drawing inspiration from the looks of his Autumn/Winter catwalk show and the movie Cleopatra.

In the 2008 BBC television series British Style Genius, Alexander McQueen expressed his penchant for challenging history through his fashion choices. He highlighted the semi-autobiographical nature of his historical subject selections.

In 2009, Alexander McQueen collaborated with mass market retailer Target to launch the McQ Alexander McQueen for Target collection, marking the first collaboration between Target and an international designer. The collection was inspired by Leila Moss of The Duke Spirit.

Alexander McQueen presented his Spring/Summer 2010 collection inspired by nature and the post-human manifesto at Paris Fashion Week. The collection featured sea creature and reptile prints, and was live streamed for the first time in fashion history.

On the morning of February 11, 2010, Alexander McQueen was found hanged at his home in London. He was pronounced dead at the scene at the age of 40. The death was later officially recorded as suicide.

At the 2010 Brit Awards on February 16, Lady Gaga paid tribute to Alexander McQueen by performing a special rendition of her song 'Telephone' and dedicating it to the late designer. Gaga's heartfelt homage was a poignant moment in honoring McQueen's memory.

On February 18, 2010, Robert Polet announced that the Alexander McQueen business would continue without its founder and creative director. This marked a significant moment in the fashion industry following McQueen's passing.

Alexander McQueen's funeral took place on February 25, 2010, at St Paul's Church in Knightsbridge, West London. It was a solemn occasion where friends, family, and admirers gathered to pay their respects to the renowned designer.

After Alexander McQueen's death, his Autumn/Winter collection, unofficially titled Angels and Demons, was completed by his design team and shown during Paris Fashion Week. The collection had a medieval and religious look with red, gold, and silver colors.

A memorial for Alexander McQueen was held at St. Paul's Cathedral on September 20, 2010. The event was attended by numerous celebrities and friends of McQueen, who came together to honor his legacy and contributions to the fashion world.

Sarah Burton showcased the brand's womenswear collection in Paris, receiving praise for its lightness and optimistic sensibility.

On October 11, 2010, the brand announced the takeover of the McQ diffusion line by creating a new internal team under the creative direction of Pina Ferlisi and the leadership of Sarah Burton.

Sarah Burton designed the dress worn by Catherine Middleton during her wedding to Prince William, Duke of Cambridge on April 29, 2011.

On May 4, 2011, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City opened the 'Savage Beauty' exhibition, showcasing a retrospective of Alexander McQueen's innovative work. The exhibition drew massive crowds and became one of the museum's most popular and profitable shows.

On 31 October 2011, Alexander McQueen opened its first store in Beijing with a runway show, marking a significant expansion of the brand's presence in the Asian market.

In 2012, artist Sir Peter Blake selected Alexander McQueen as one of the British cultural icons to appear on a new version of the Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band album cover.

In 2013, the book 'Alexander McQueen: Working Process' by Frankel, Susannah and Waplington, Nick was published, providing insights into the creative process of the renowned fashion designer.

Between 14 March and 2 August 2015, Alexander McQueen's Savage Beauty exhibition was held at London's Victoria & Albert Museum, selling over 480,000 tickets and becoming the most popular exhibition at the museum.

In July 2015, Catherine Middleton wore an all-cream Alexander McQueen outfit for Princess Charlotte's christening.

In May 2016, Alexander McQueen brand received the Prix Versailles award for its rue Saint-Honoré boutique in Paris, at the UNESCO Headquarters.