PRESENTED BY:

Juan Camilo Corrales Ospina

SUBJECT:
CULTURE AND CIVILIZATION

PRESENTED TO:
Troy Najeeb Salem

Master in languages and foreign languages 10 Semester

 Essay on Alexander McQueen

Born in London in 1969, leaving school at 16, Alexander McQueen stepped into the
world of fashion. Creating and manipulating his unique designs with his talented
skills, McQueen mastered 6 methods of pattern cutting from the 16th century and
tailoring skills which today have given his McQueen signature. Also dubbed "enfant
terrible" by the fashion press.
Receiving British Designer of the Year in 2001, 1996 and 1997 and also the recipient
of many more awards, Alexander McQueen is recognized as one of the most
successful talents in the fashion industry and is known world-wide.
McQueen's death was announced on the afternoon of 11 February 2010. In the
morning, his housekeeper found him hanged at his home in Green Street, London
W1 Paramedics were called and they pronounced him dead at the scene.

McQueen and His Collection

Unique designs, stunning effects, powerful collections and a revolutionary designer.
Put it together and you have Alexander McQueen! Varied views are shared among
us from newspapers, fashion press to the internet fashion sites. Not always are the
views good but a view is always present when it comes to Alexander McQueen.
Some might say he was like Marmite, "You either love it, or hate it."
Styles the "Enfant terrible" have brought to us are varied every season but just as
exhilarating as his last flair. As we see here is an outfit from the Spring/Summer 2003
collection which is a mixture of flimsy frills and tough leather or P.V.C. To me I would
regard this as a typical McQueen signature because of the powerful colors like
chocolate browns and calm creams which I think produces a nature on the model.
This glitzy vest and skirt is also another Spring/Summer 2003 style, unlike the first
outfit, this one would be more likely to be seen on the streets because of its summer
explosion and brighter colors and lighter fabrics. The sexy outfit lights up a dark
street and leaves its statement of energy.
Alongside is an A/W 1997-1998, titled "It's A Jungle Out There" focused on animal
instincts and powered danger against a derelict urban environment as McQueen's
influences. Made from traditional fabrics - Suede/leather looking animal skin jacket
produced in a light brown possible reflecting an animal color. Along with tight tie died
trousers to show that jungle that is out there.

McQueen and Givenchy

Alexander McQueen silenced and dazzled Paris with his first show for Givenchy
combining his mastered tailoring skills and his hard-edged street style. McQueen
prepared ten collections a year for Givenchy, while continuing his own label. On the
left, you can see a typical piece of McQueen's work, this outfit is a really admiring
piece, and an intelligent form of contrast between hard and soft textures in produced
here. Alongside is this intellectual suit McQueen produced for Givenchy, it is very
sharp and parallel unlike his own style.
Verdict
In my opinion Alexander McQueen is a unique, stubborn and a satisfying designer.
His work is somewhat in "trend", altered and duplicated to evoke this sensual birth.
For this, I like and admire McQueen and his style.
My findings have entertained and intrigued me- McQueen's first collection for
Givenchy slated even by himself, "I know it was crap," he told US Vogue in October
1997. But at the same timed has inspired many people over the world.
Defiantly regarded as a, "one of a kind," McQueen reflects many of his designs on
conflicting appearances which brings me to show what I think might be one of his
most unusual yet elegant designs I have seen.
"Tragic shipwrecked banshee - frail tulle combined with gilt piping that decorates
heavy melton jackets and trousers. A pregnant skinhead and vogue fashion editor
model together."
I have also noticed how every single style is so dramatic, McQueen seeps at your
eyes as they sink into the design provoking thoughts and ideas again and again.
Are McQueen's designs showing his true personality? Does this bring out the REAL
Alexander McQueen? I would answer "yes" to both because without showing
personality and a sense of mortality then designs like these could not be created.