Savage Beauty

Photo: John Aquino

This week the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art debuts the exhibit, 'Savage Beauty' a retrospective of Alexander McQueen.  Already well respected and known within the fashion circles, last week's Royal wedding has catapulted the house of Alexander McQueen into a worldwide household name.  Catherine Middleton, now the Duchess of Cambridge, emerged from her Rolls Royce in a dress designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen.  It was a perfect balance of simplicity, retro-style and elegance.  It was modest for a McQueen but still exuded the designer's spirit of beauty and love for classic design.

McQueen, who took his life in February 2010, left a legacy of clothing known for a high level of craftsmanship and his ability to challenge the ideas of beauty in fashion.  Known for dramatic runway shows and going against the norm, the exhibit pays homage to some of his most famous moments.  You'll find his work influenced by 19th-century romanticism to his iconic use of fetish materials and silhouettes.  It's been said that Alexander McQueen saw life as a cinematic experience.  He had an obsession and appreciation for the power of extreme weather and often used elements of nature in his shows.  This would explain the elaborate runway shows and how he art directed videos and photo shoots for his collections.

The exhibit runs from May 4 2011-July 31, 2011 at the MET and will feature 100 pieces from his London archives along with some of his work for Givenchy from the Paris archives.

http://www.metmuseum.org
http://blog.metmuseum.org/alexandermcqueen/

Photo: John Aquino

Photo John Aquino

Photo: John Aquino

A look back at McQueen Fall 2009 Ready-to-wear