Alexander McQueen – RIP

Lee Alexander McQueen, one of the true renegades of high-fashion (he refused to be photographed at the end of his first few collections for fear that his loan-sharks would find him), was found dead, today, at his home in London, of an apparent suicide.  Early reports speculate that  designer hanged himself.  This, just days after the death of his mother, Joyce, and three years following the suicide of his dear friend and mentor, fashion icon and editor, Isabella Blow.

Always one to push boundaries, his shows veered toward performance art, and my favorites included the one with the models/dancers suspended on wires, seemingly performing an aerial ballet, leaping over a catwalk of water; as well as one with a hologram of Kate Moss, floating in midair.  But, no matter how post-apocalyptic or avant-garde his shows were, what allowed McQueen to put his money where his mouth was, were those unimpeachable tailoring skills he acquired while an apprentice on storied London’s Savile Row. 

A favorite of editors, models, customers and the public at large (for he is a perfect example of the “everyman” who makes it to the top), his designs were bold yet ethereal, hyper-constructed yet seemingly weightless.  That was his gift to us.  Well, that and the brass-knuckle clutch.

The timing of McQueen’s death falls at the start of NY Fashion Week (where his McQ line was to be shown, this afternoon); while his signature collection was slated to be presented in Europe, next month.