Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty

Even if you’re not a Fashionista you will certainly have heard the name Alexander McQueen frequently over the last month thanks to the recent royal nuptials of Kate Middleton and Prince William. Kate’s bridal gown was designed by Sarah Burton of Alexander McQueen fame. Now Sarah will forever be remembered as Kate Middleton’s wedding gown designer and of course THAT dress for Pippa Middleton. Today’s Fashion review is by New York Fashion commentator, Jeffrey Felner who provides a brief summary on the wonders of Andrew Bolton‘s beautiful volume on fashion designer Alexander McQueen and his amazing talent.

At the onset of this exquisitely rendered volume, one might start to think that this is one of those over the top, overly thought out and over intellectualized paeans to a designer.  The facts are very simple, this is as good as it gets when it comes to any book of this genre.

Mr. Bolton gives us his take on the wildly talented Alexander McQueen which is, as I have said, a bit too scholarly and pretentious for my liking, but all is forgiven as the book becomes a visual monument to the talents of a designer who left us while still in his prime.  The biggest assets of this magnificently photographed volume are the actual words of Mr. McQueen and an enlightening interview with Sarah Burton who succeeded him after his untimely demise.

“I think that couture has complete relevance today.  Designer fashion shouldn’t be throwaway.”

“I think of myself as a plastic surgeon with a knife.”

“You’ve got to know the rules before you can break them.  That’s why I am here for, to demolish the rules but to keep the tradition.”

There are countless quotes that define this master of 21^st century design as well as little known facts about his past which are revealed in an almost fairy tale magic method of the telling of Mr. McQueen’s past of beginnings, if you will.  This is a story that will inform, enlighten, entertain and leave you slack jawed from the visual contents and genius that this man left behind as his legacy to the world of fashion.

The volume which was produced to coincide with the exhibition at the metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City deserves a place in the library of anyone who proclaims their love of fashion, inventiveness and art.  Rarely does any written/visual work leave you saddened by knowing that the artist reduced his own genius to just a scant 2 decades.  What a loss for all of us who remain.