Fall 2010 New York, News
Alexander McQueen’s Suicide Casts A Dark Shadow Over Fashion Week
By Lauren Sherman
On the first official day of New York Fashion Week, the industry mourns one of its greatest talents. Alexander McQueen–Central St. Martins graduate, Isabella Blow prodigy and a true fashion icon–hanged himself. The Gucci Group, which owns the McQueen label, has confirmed this. The design star was found dead this morning in his London flat. He was 40.
The news has clearly shaken the fashion world as it gears up for one of its biggest annual moments. At the BCBG show, Vogue editor Anna Wintour was seen bolting out before the finale, likely having received the news via text.
It’s certain that the tragedy will cast a dark shadow over the rest of the week. Naturally, a presentation for McQ, McQueen’s lower-priced line, that was scheduled for today at 3, has been canceled. We previously reported that there was a chance the designer would be here in New York to present this collection.
McQueen sent hundreds of memorable looks down the runway. His Fall/Winter 2008 collection–a magical mix of crinoline, leather and lace–actually brought several editors to tears. My own experience at a McQueen show–the Spring 2010 collection, shown last fall in Paris–was a revelation. Before watching the hooved models stomp down the runway, I had never fully understood the importance of presenting a collection. For McQueen, the set, the images and the makeup were just as important as clothes. He created a new world that evening and elevated my understanding of what fashion really means.
The designer was said to be distraught over the loss of his mother, who passed away just days ago. He was also stirred by the forthcoming anniversary of the death of British fashion editor Isabella Blow, who discovered McQueen at his Central St. Martins graduate show in 1994.
McQueen’s life was a sort of rags-to-riches story. He was the son of a London taxi driver who left school at age 16 for apprenticeships with a pair of preeminent British tailors. From there, his ascent took him to the Givenchy, where he caused controversy by shaking up the couture label. In 2001, he sold his own label to Gucci Group.
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I am absolutely heartbroken.
omg…my friend told me this tragic news…it's so so so so sad OMG I hope this will be the last sad news I hear this year, it's only Feb. RIP McQueen, and wish the McQueen family all the best
omg…my friend told me this tragic news…it's so so so so sad OMG I hope this will be the last sad news I hear this year, it's only Feb. RIP McQueen, and wish the McQueen family all the best
omg…my friend told me this tragic news…it's so so so so sad OMG I hope this will be the last sad news I hear this year, it's only Feb. RIP McQueen, and wish the McQueen family all the best
omg…my friend told me this tragic news…it's so so so so sad OMG I hope this will be the last sad news I hear this year, it's only Feb. RIP McQueen, and wish the McQueen family all the best
omg…my friend told me this tragic news…it's so so so so sad OMG I hope this will be the last sad news I hear this year, it's only Feb. RIP McQueen, and wish the McQueen family all the best
omg…my friend told me this tragic news…it's so so so so sad OMG I hope this will be the last sad news I hear this year, it's only Feb. RIP McQueen, and wish the McQueen family all the best
omg…my friend told me this tragic news…it's so so so so sad OMG I hope this will be the last sad news I hear this year, it's only Feb. RIP McQueen, and wish the McQueen family all the best
we have lost another genius, this makes me truly sad
we have lost another genius, this makes me truly sad
Love him; such a bright light in the world.
So sad.
I cannot begin to accept the fact that he is no longer on this Earth. I am still in shock. What's more, I changed my avatar a couple of days ago to the S/S 2010 ad. He will be truly missed. The world has lost another great.
I cannot begin to accept the fact that he is no longer on this Earth. I am still in shock. What's more, I changed my avatar a couple of days ago to the S/S 2010 ad. He will be truly missed. The world has lost another great.
I cannot begin to accept the fact that he is no longer on this Earth. I am still in shock. What's more, I changed my avatar a couple of days ago to the S/S 2010 ad. He will be truly missed. The world has lost another great.
so so so shocked…I've been thinking about this since this morning. How and why would something like this happen?
so so so shocked…I've been thinking about this since this morning. How and why would something like this happen?
so so so shocked…I've been thinking about this since this morning. How and why would something like this happen?
A massive loss. Everyone I've spoken to today has been completely shocked by this. So much talent and still so much youth. Its a sad day for art.
http://fierceobjection.wordpress.com
A massive loss. Everyone I've spoken to today has been completely shocked by this. So much talent and still so much youth. Its a sad day for art.
http://fierceobjection.wordpress.com
A massive loss. Everyone I've spoken to today has been completely shocked by this. So much talent and still so much youth. Its a sad day for art.
http://fierceobjection.wordpress.com
Alexander McQueen was the sole reason I became interested in fashion. His work is more than just clothes and commercialism – it is art. I can't even begin to think about this.
yea i got the news this morning and just couldnt believe my ears. he was an amazing designer and one who's work will truly be missed, today is a sad day in fashion
yea i got the news this morning and just couldnt believe my ears. he was an amazing designer and one who's work will truly be missed, today is a sad day in fashion
yea i got the news this morning and just couldnt believe my ears. he was an amazing designer and one who's work will truly be missed, today is a sad day in fashion
Hate to be the one who says this, as I am as devastated as everyone else about this… but anyways:
It comes off as journalistically insensitive when the first instance you write of his death is that he: “hanged himself”. You should simply write that he died before you go into the details of his death. Starting with the fact of his suicide comes off like gossip. Again, I hate to have to be nit-picky on such an occasion, but it really vexed me to see his death written like this.
Alexander McQueen was and is an incredible designer who pushed the boundaries of what fashion could and should be. His spirit will live on in his incredible designs. As sad as I am about this incredible loss, I wonder what will happen to his line now? What will become of McQ and Alexander McQueen…?
I am completely heartbroken on so many levels. Heartbroken over his feeling of such deep sadness that he couldn't reach out to those who loved him (and so many did). Heartbroken at the loss of such a unique and utterly indescribable genius. Heartbroken for his family having to suffer two tragedies back to back, something that they will likely never fully recover from given the nature of McQueen's death. And heartbroken that I will never get to see any of his work in person like I planned to at next year's Fashion Week in New York for my birthday. He was one of my favorite designers. What a tragedy.
I am completely heartbroken on so many levels. Heartbroken over his feeling of such deep sadness that he couldn't reach out to those who loved him (and so many did). Heartbroken at the loss of such a unique and utterly indescribable genius. Heartbroken for his family having to suffer two tragedies back to back, something that they will likely never fully recover from given the nature of McQueen's death. And heartbroken that I will never get to see any of his work in person like I planned to at next year's Fashion Week in New York for my birthday. He was one of my favorite designers. What a tragedy.
That is so incredibly sad. May he RIP.
Lauren, you wrote that piece very well.
It's really very upsetting i have dedicated so much lecturers to his work. He was a true Inspiration for some of my brilliant students. I am totally heartbroken.
wow im heartbroken.. when i heard this news i couldnt believe it…his work is amazing and i give my condolences to his family
Quelle tragédie.