Alexander McQueen is one of the most recognized names in the luxury fashion industry. Known for pushing boundaries and displaying outlandish designs on the walkway, the man himself has played a massive role in shaping what we know today as luxury fashion.
The Early Beginnings of Alexander McQueen’s Career
Born as Lee Alexander McQueen, the designer had humble beginnings in the early years of his career. Coming from a taxi driver and a school teacher, McQueen explored his creative mind by taking a course in art and tailoring. This sparked his natural affinity for fashion and he soon jumped into an apprenticeship working with several companies like Savile Row and Anderson & Sheppard.
As his curiosity for the fashion world grew, McQueen received his MA in Fashion at Central Saints Martins College of Art and Design, eventually graduating in 1992. Four years later, McQueen landed a job as a designer at Givenchy, where he worked until 2001.
Alexander McQueen’s Fame and Success
Alexander McQueen’s first taste of fame came with his famous ‘Bumster’ trousers. Released in the early ’90s, the scantily clad aesthetic of these trousers turned a lot of heads as they showed a lot more than what people were used to. These pants were so low that they revealed the back cleavage, almost showing the butt crack for some. While outrageously outlandish, there is no doubt that these pants caught the attention of the media, and in that swift move, McQueen’s notoriety grew. In fact, as crazy as the designs were, the Bumster trousers paved the way for the low waist cut jeans.
Throughout the course of his career, Alexander McQueen won a large number of prestigious awards for his work. At theBritish Fashion Awards’, he won British Designer of the Year’ four times, and also won the Men’s Wear Designer of the Year award in 2004. A year before that, he won the CFDA Award for Best International Designer, and was also honored with a CBE from Queen Elizabeth II for his work in fashion. Moreover, Alexander McQueen became Givenchy’s immediate successor in the company, employed as the Head Designer at the age of 28. This was a huge achievement for the young fashion mogul.
Alexander McQueen’s Death and the Future of the Brand
McQueen eventually passed at a relatively young age of 40. Troubled by his creative mind, he was found to be doing alot of drugs. From missed psychiatric sessions to multiple drug overdoses, the designer was believed to be suffering from crippling depression.
After his death, Alexander McQueen’s right-hand, Sarah Burton, was appointed as the creative director of the brand. It was through her direction that the brand continued to thrive to what it is today. Sarah Burton worked closely with Alexander McQueen, understanding his vision and thought process. As stated by Burton,
“The creation of modern beautifully crafted clothes was at the heart of Lee’s vision. I intend to stay true to his legacy.”
At the time of his death, McQueen had completed 80% of his new collection. However, with the help of Burton, they managed to complete it and follow the original vision of his work. Upon its release, the works pushed the boundaries of what fashion was supposed to mean, breaking conventional norms and looks.
Alexander McQueen Luxury Sneakers
Since then, the Alexander McQueen brand has come a long way, thinning the lines between the two. Luxury streetwear is an entirely new and increasingly popular genre in apparel and footwear. They’ve taken the innovative, unique designs from McQueen’s mind and brought them into the foray of sneakers — once again changing what footwear is supposed to look like. Some of the sneakers include:
Alexander McQueen Oversized Sneaker ‘White Black’ 2019 WMNS
Shop Alexander McQueen Oversized Sneaker ‘White Black’ 2019 WMNS on Novelship
The oversized sneaker comes with a rounded toe and trimmed black suede heel. Available in a completely black and white colourway, the upper, midsole and outsole is constructed in white calf leather. When it comes to branding, the Alexander McQueen logo is present on both the black heel counter as well as the white tongue
Alexander McQueen Oversized Sneaker ‘White Patchouli’ 2019 WMNS
Shop Alexander McQueen Oversized Court Trainer ‘White Patchouli’ WMNS on Novelship
This oversized sneaker comes with a chunky midsole, a majorly white colourway, with splashes of beige along the heel counter. The back is made of pink suede, adding that luxurious touch to the silhouette. The Alexander McQueen branding can be seen on both the heel and tongue. Constructed from calf leather, the sneaker is definitely a fan favourite for women alike, appearing both elegant and sporty.
Alexander McQueen Oversized Sneaker ‘Lush Red’ WMNS
Shop Alexander McQueen Oversized Sneaker ‘Lush Red’ WMNS on Novelship
The Alexander McQueen sneaker comes with a red suede detailing on the heel counter. The upper of the shoe is constructed of smooth calf leather, giving that added durability and premium feel. The shoe has large flat laces that come in white, with the large rubber sole giving the sneaker an added oversized aesthetic. The midfoot of the shoe is perforated for breathability.
Final thoughts
Sneakers like the ones above are just a few of the hot releases from Alexander McQueen, as their display of luxury fuses with the modern streetwear and sneaker craze. As part of the Kering Group — which also owns Gucci and Balenciaga — Alexander McQueen has grown into one of the most sought-after brands in all of fashion.
From the unusual outlandish designs to the more simplistic aesthetic of their modern-day sneakers, the brand stands as a pioneer in bringing about their expressive nature into the luxury streetwear space, as evident from the oversized look of their sneakers. Beyond the sales, the popularity of this look is a testament to how innovative Alexander McQueen truly is as a brand, as is the reason why the brand has cemented its place in the generations to come.
