RIP McQueen

Weird Science of Alexander McQueen, 1999

Lee Alexander McQueen. Thank you.

Late 1999, I scored myself a job in the marketing department of Givenchy. Words cannot describe that moment. Any attempt to describe my exact sentiment would be futile suffice to say with McQueen at the helm, anything was possible. For those unsure of the whole Givenchy vs. McQueen story, please glide over to Wikipedia, the historical facts are secondary here.  As a young, eager, delusional designer it felt so right; he was an anarchist, genius, unpredictable and I was smitten with this “enfant terrible”.

Only 3 months after joining the famed House of Givenchy, in early 2000, bursting with dreams and delusions I was to learn that Julien MacDonald had been appointed as successor to Alexander McQueen. I was distraught. Paradoxically, I curated my first “official” job, writing and designing the internal press release to announce the “news”. I should have been brimming with pride but the reality was, I just didn’t care, the moment was way too bittersweet for my liking.

Throughout the years I have changed job, changed direction, changed country yet have always followed one of the most inspiring designers of our times – with affection, pride and pure wonder. Thank you for being a true inspiration.

RIP Lee Alexander McQueen.