Alexander McQueen Dies At 40
“The news of Alexander McQueen’s suicide is as sad as it is tragic; the fashion world is poorer without him.” – T – The New York Times Fashion Magazine.
Alexander McQueen Spring 2010
Alexander Mc Queen, one of the most influencial fashion designers of our time, was found dead today in his apartment in London at age 40. This happened exactly a week and two days after his mother passed away. According to the UK Daily Mail Alexander Mc Queen, whose real name is Lee McQueen, hung himself and his body was found on the morning of February 11th. T, the fashion magazine by the New York Times writes: “The news of Alexander McQueen’s suicide is as sad as it is tragic; the fashion world is poorer without him.”
Alexander McQueen was known for his extravagant designs. The news of his death coincided with the start of the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in New York where Anna Wintour, Editor-In-Chief of American Vogue, was attending the BCBG Max Azria show when she heard the news. Although McQueen usually doesn’t show at New York Fashion Week and wasn’t scheduled to show at London Fashion week, he was due to show his ready-to-wear collection at the Paris fashion shows in March.
McQueen obtained a Masters Degree in Fashion Design at the very prestigious Saint Martins College of Art and Design in London. His graduation collection was purchased entirely by British fashion stylist Isabella Row. It has been said that Row was the one who convinced McQueen to change his first name, Lee, to Alexander which was his second name at the time.
Alexander McQueen Fall 2006
In 1996 the president of LVMH Moët Hennessy • Louis Vuitton, Bernard Arnault, appointed McQueen the head designer position at Givenchy. McQueen held this position until March 2001. But McQueen parting ways with Givenchy didn’t come as a surprise because in December of 2000 the Gucci Group bought 51 percent of McQueen’s own company while he remained serving as the Creative Director. This led to stores opening in almost all the fashion capitals of the world, London, Milan and New York.
Queen Elizabeth II made McQueen a Commander of the British Empire for his fashion leadership in 2003. McQueen also won the “British Designer of the Year” award four times between 1996 and 2003. He was also one of the youngest designers ever to receive this honor.
McQueen married his boyfriend, George Forsyth, in 2000. Forsyth is a profession documentary filmmaker. The ceremony took place in Ibiza on supermodel Kate Moss’ yacht and was immensely covered by the media. Kate Moss was also one of the bridesmaids.
McQueen was known as someone who always sent shockwaves through the world of fashion. With his controversial designs and fashion shows. Nobody would know that he had one of the most fashionable creative minds in world by looking at him and yet he did. He will be missed. May he rest in peace.
Photos taken from Flickr Creative Commons Users 10corsocomo and cristee12
