Alexander McQueen

McQueen’s designs have been associated with the gothic look for a long time and it's well known that he used goth as inspiration as well as themes for his collections such as ‘Jack the Ripper Stalks His Victims’ and ‘Highland Rape’. However, the collection that I find most intriguing is the ‘Ready to Wear’ collection from fall 2019 (Fig .11). Inspired by the mill towns in northern England. This collection can be described as an exploration of British identity as creative director, Sarah Burton draws from her roots. This garment succeeds in elongating the silhouette which is achieved through the structured lace corset which highlights the waistline and enhances the Victorian aesthetic and femininity that the look exudes. lace overlays and hugs the bodice which gives the garment texture but also intricate detail from the beading and embroidery. This paired with the movement created by the tiered leather-looking silk and sequin ruffles provides a pleasing look to the eye. The black colour palette enhances the edgy tone and accentuates the gothic romanticism that the McQueen brand is known for. The silk manipulation in this piece is inspiring as it is tailored so precisely which displays power and dominance as it taps into a more masculine energy, contrasted by the feminine style lace. The garment also has some small metal detail work of hook and eyes which scale around the body and up the corset, an innovative reimagining of hook and eyes. The overall effect of this look is a powerful blend of historical references and modern design, showcasing McQueen's signature blend of dark romanticism and avant-garde aesthetics.