Alexander McQueen – hooligan of British fashion

Alexander McQueen was a British fashion designer, Commander of the Order of the British Empire. He was named the best British designer of the year four times.
Lee Alexander McQueen was born on March 17, 1969 in London, UK. He was born into the family of a taxi driver and a teacher. Alexander was the youngest of the six children.
At the age of 16 he began his career in the fashion world. He worked in Andersen and Shepherd studio and then in Savile Row’s workshop. In the studio he specialized in men’s suits. His clients included the Prince of Wales, Lord Rothschild and Mikhail Gorbachev.
After graduation from the Saint Martin’s School of Art, Alexander worked with Japanese designer Koji Tatsuno, then with the Italian designer R. Gigli in Milan.

In 1997, he became an art director in Givenchy instead of John Galliano. In early 2001, he launched his own fashion line.
In May 2007, he attracted attention with his interviews after the suicide of his friend Isabella Blow.
In 2003 the first feminine fragrance Alexander McQueen Kingdom was produced and a year later the brand introduced its men’s version. Three years later, the designer showed his first McQ collection.

Alexander McQueen in his childhood

In October 2005, the designer created a collection of sports shoes for Puma. In early 2007, Samsonite Black Label released bags with his design. In the autumn of the same year, McQueen opened his fourth boutique in Moscow (previous shops were opened in London, Milan and New York).
McQueen was named Best British Designer of the Year in 1996, 1997, 2001 and 2003. He received Fashion Director of the Year award for McQ collection in 2007. In the summer of 2003, Alexander McQueen was awarded the Order of the British Empire.
Alexander McQueen died on February 11, 2010. He was found hanged in his apartment. On February 2, his mother died and it was the cause of his depression. The designer left 50 thousand pounds for his dogs and a lot of money for charity. In a farewell note he said: “Take care of my dogs, sorry, I love you, Lee.”
His funeral was attended by almost all the stars of the fashion world, among them were Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell, Stella McCartney, Sam Taylor-Wood, and others.

Alexander McQueen and his mother

Personal life
Since 2000 he lived with British documentary film maker George Forsyth. The couple broke up a year later.

Interesting facts
– In addition to fashion, Alexander was fond of ornithology.
– As McQueen said, he did not like to work with celebrities, but when he saw the Hollywood stars in his clothes, he was happy. He was friends with Sarah Jessica Parker, Liv Tyler and other fashion connoisseurs.
– In the fashion world he was nicknamed Enfant Terrible.
– He directed a music video for the Bjork’s song Alarm Call.