February 2010 NEWSLETTER

Alexander Mcqueen

Alexander Mcqueen’s death is a great loss.

Mcqueen may be famous now as a fashion designer, but like most true artists he will become even more famous as time passes.

His unique gift will endure. And our appreciation of his art will increase.

Alexander Mcqueen was born in 1969 in London. Left school at 16 and served an apprenticeship in Savile Row. This earned him a reputation in the fashion world as an expert in creating an impeccably tailored look.

After working in Japan and Italy, he applied to work as a pattern cutter tutor at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design but, because of the strength of his portfolio he was persuaded to enrol as a student.

He received his Masters degree in fashion design and his graduation collection was bought in its entirety for £5000 by influential fashion stylist Isabella Blow who became his mentor. She had to pay it off with a weekly payment of £100 which she could hardly afford.

Mcqueen succeeded John Galliano as head designer at Givenchy. And later he had his own fashion label.

Mcqueen was famous for unconventional and dramatic designs.

Shortly after Mcqueen’s death, Liberty reported a 1,400% increase in sales, with signature pieces, such as tailored jackets, particularly popular.

Matches, meanwhile, saw a surge in demand for more accessibly priced items, such as the skull-print scarf and scribbled eagle men’s T-shirt.

With his mentor Isabella Blow’s suicide and his aunt’s death and his mother’s death those who had a big influence on his life are not there any more either.

And now he is gone, but his name will live on.