Tag Archives: Alexander McQueen

alexander mcqueen

The Greatest Alexander McQueen Runway Moments

It’s been ten years since Alexander McQueen, one of the most acclaimed designers in history, passed away. His taste for the macabre combined with his masterful technical skill set him apart from his peers and established him as a tour de force whose influence continues to infiltrate the very fashion industry he sought to disrupt. From his polarizing bumster trousers to the silk skull scarves favored by celebrities in the ’00s to the dangerously high armadillo heels, his skill for plucking elements from the depths of his mind and translating them into breathtaking wearables was utterly revolutionary. Out of all the stars that emerged at the turn of the century, none burnt as brightly as McQueen.

 

To honor his legacy, we revisit some of his most significant runway moments.

 

 

Fall/Winter 1995 – Highland Rape

The Fall/Winter 1995 collection remains one of McQueen’s most controversial collections but it inarguably elevated his profile to an international audience. With a purposefully misleading title meant as a shock tactic (the collection was a metaphor for England’s invasion of Scotland), it was one of the earliest demonstrations of his undeniable ability to translate something dark and violent into something beautiful and desirable.

 

Spring/Summer 1999 – No. 13

Despite his aversion to the theatre, McQueen knew how to put on a show. Beyond the beauty of his designs, he always sought ways to elevate his clothing beyond the confines of a traditional catwalk and really bring them to life. The final look of his Spring/Summer 1999 collection, a white tulle dress that was splattered by two robots, remains one of his most referenced moments.

 

Spring/Summer 2001 – Voss

Guests of the Spring/Summer 2001 show were seated around a glass box and forced to stare at their reflections for an hour before the show started. Once it did, models marched around a sterile mental asylum-like stage dressed in delicate Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds-inspired garments. The grand finale was a recreation of Joel-Peter Witkin’s Sanitarium (1983) with a masked Michelle Olley reclined on a chaise lounge while breathing through a tube and surrounded by butterflies, delivering one of McQueen’s most powerful transgressive beauty moments.

 

Spring/Summer 2005

McQueen had included men’s looks in his collections for a number of seasons, but Spring 2005 was when he decided to officially launch his own men’s line. His adroit tailoring skills took center stage here, while his subversive tendencies shown in the form of painted faces and tattoo-printed muscle tees keep his menswear from being anything too traditional.

 

Spring/Summer 2010 – Plato’s Atlantis

 

Tragically, McQueen’s final collection was him at his best. Ten years after the robotic dress painting display, he once again utilized state-of-the-art technology to create enhanced animal prints and set the tone for the next decade in fashion. Some of the most memorable looks in this collection, including the armadillo heels, would be immortalized in Lady Gaga’s video for her then-unreleased single “Bad Romance,” which made its debut at the show.

motorola razr

The Motorola Razr Revival Might Bring Back the Flip Phone

Before Apple began its global takeover with the release of the first iPhone in 2007, cell phones were as much an accessory as anything else. The T-Mobile Sidekick, in all its chunky glory, was beloved by celebrities as much as a Kaballah bracelet or an Alexander McQueen skull scarf. Nokia seemed to be the mobile du jour in Europe during the turn of the Millenium — I’m pretty sure they might have been among the earliest to introduce FaceTime. And then, of course, there was the Motorola Razr. The sleek and thin flip phone that was then the pinnacle of flip phones, back when the gesture of flipping a phone shut was as flippant as slamming a door or throwing a drink in someone’s face. And its imminent comeback, as announced last week, is just the latest throwback to fuel the nostalgia economy.

 

How does one resurrect the flip phone in 2019? For starters, the new Motorola features a 16-megapixel camera and the entire 6.2-inch touch screen is foldable. There’s also a mini-screen on the exterior of the phone that displays notifications and time. And its price tag, at $1,500, is something that’s very 2019. Pre-orders for the new Motorola Razr will be available on December 26. Happy holidays!

 

 

feature

Alexander McQueen’s F/W19 Collection Subverts British History

 

 

Opting out of a runway presentation earlier this year, Alexander McQueen has released a lookbook for its Fall/Winter ’19 collection. An ode to several British eras of the 20th century — from ’50s Post-War to ’80s New Wave — the collection is a marriage of influences that celebrates heritage and craft.

 

Workwear is a core influence on the collection — a rich, pink boiler suit subverts the traditional piece with New Wave edge, while suits adorned with oversized floral prints offer a romantic take on the ordinary. Trench coats are updated in alternative formats, including bold color-blocked styles and in glossy leather fabrics that expand upon convention. Eveningwear is elevated to new heights with intricate chandelier crystal embellishments on tuxedo jackets that are as majestic in their showmanship as in their craft. This attention to detail extends to the jewelry, mainly earrings and cuffs, which provides both an elegant garnish to the more orthodox pieces and a rebellious accent to the formalwear.

 

Check out some of the pieces below.

 

19-AW-M-06-1

 

19-AW-M-07

 

19-AW-M-08-1

 

19-AW-M-16

 

19-AW-M-17

 

19-AW-M-18-1

 

19-AW-M-19

 

19-AW-M-25

 

19-AW-M-28

feature

1017 ALYX 9SM Takes Over Toronto

Streetwear label Alyx — founded by designer Matthew Williams, whose resume boasts work with Alexander McQueen and Kanye West — has constructed a pop-up shop in Toronto. The new temporary space spans 1,695 square feet and carries the brand’s latest line, as well as exclusive products and will stock items from collaborations with Nike and Dior (Williams worked with Kim Jones on a line of saddlebags). The intimate space echos the brand’s signature industrial style, with bare walls and metallic accents decorating the interior.

1017 ALYX 9SM will be open at 26 Bellair Street until June. Check out some pictures of the shop below.

Images: 1017 ALYX 9SM.

 

001 ALYX TORONTO POP UP © 2019 Hesselbrand

 

003 ALYX TORONTO POP UP © 2019 Hesselbrand

 

005 ALYX TORONTO POP UP © 2019 Hesselbrand

 

010 ALYX TORONTO POP UP © 2019 Hesselbrand

 

015 ALYX TORONTO POP UP © 2019 Hesselbrand

 

 

featured2.3

EH Gift Guide #3: The Pseudo-Connoisseur

We all have that someone we know who seemingly knows everything about wine and spirits, which makes it that much harder to chose a gift. In the following compilation composed of the finest luxury bottles, as well as a few necessary accessories, you’ll find all the products a true alcohol connoisseur will appreciate this season. Hopefully, you can enjoy them just as much. Cheers!

 

1. AMQ Collection

Alexander McQueen Eau De Parfum

Best at just about everything, Alexander McQueen undoubtedly offers an array of subtly elegant fragrances. It took a build-up of two years to release this compilation and they will satisfy even the pickiest person.

Eau de Parfum, $245 each, ALEXANDER MCQUEEN. Available online on AlexanderMcQueen.com.

 

2. Gran patron Smoky

Gran Patrón Smoky Tequila

At an intriguing 101 proof, you won’t even feel it because Patrón successfully made a super smooth and gentle high-alcohol content liquid. This one’s for those who really know their tequila.

Gran Patrón Smoky, $199, PATRÓN. Available at certain retailers.

 

3. Poglia corkscrew

Cooper & Thief x Max Poglia Signature Wood & Bone Corkscrew

Every connoisseur deserves a picture-worthy bar and an artisan corkscrew.

Wood & bone corkscrew, $135, COOPER & THIEF x MAX POGLIA. Available online on Poglia.co.

 

4. The Dalmore

The Dalmore Port Wood Reserve

You can’t really go wrong with a Scottish single-malt.

Port Wood Reserve, $99, THE DALMORE. Available at certain retailers.

 

5. Grey Goose Tin

Grey Goose Holiday Tin

From France with love — don’t forget to leave a magnet love note on the metal tin the bottle comes in.

Holiday Tin, $45, GREY GOOSE. Available at Duty-Free Airport Shopping Destinations and Grey Goose Winter Marché Pop-Up at JFK’s Terminal 4.

 

6. 1950s Milo Bar Cart

Milo Baughman 1950’s Bar Cart

Simple, chic, and moveable, this bar cart is a Mad Men-approved essential.

1950’s Bar Cart, $671, MILO BAUGHMAN. Available at RH, Restoration Hardware, and RestorationHardware.com. 

 

7. Bacarrat

Baccarat Harmonie on the Rocks

A solid glassware set is always a solid gift for the one who likes to enjoy their booze like a gentleman.

Harmonie on the Rocks, $990, BACCARAT. Available at Baccarat.com.

 

8. dooney and burke

Dooney & Bourke Alto Wine Bottle Picnic Tote

For when one needs to transport their cherry-picked wine, here’s a chic, leather tote/backpack to carry it with ease.

Alto Wine Bottle Picnic Tote, $295, DOONEY & BOURKE. Available online on Dooney.com. 

 

9. Bedell

Bedell Musée 2013

If it’s good enough for Obama, it’s good enough for us especially with Bedell’s special edition Musee bottles that only pop-up once in a while when the harvest calls for it.

MUSÉE 2013, $125, BEDELL CELLARS. Avaibale at certain retail locations and BedellCellars.com.

 

10. Coravin

Coravin Model Two Wine System

Fulfill your true wine mom inhibitions with this practical wine dispenser.

Two wine system, $299.95, CORAVIN. Available at Coravin.com.

Screen Shot 2018-07-19 at 3.47.47 PM

Alexander McQueen Introduce Oversized Runner Sneaker

The latest drop from Alexander McQueen is the inescapable oversized sneaker with the designer’s signature flair, as seen on the Fall/Winter 2018 runway. The shoe is a chunky with elegant proportions and available in bold colors. The soles are cover in leopard print design and the designer’s logo. As oversized sneakers continue making their way through the fashion cycle, McQueen’s is simply the latest take on the staple du jour.

The oversized Runner available online at AlexanderMcQueen.com.

[slider_pro id=”241″]

Hubert

Hubert de Givenchy, Founder of Givenchy, Dies at 91

hepburn-givenchy-bolle-1
Images: ©Diltz (Right) and David Seymour (Left)

Hubert de Givenchy, fashion revolutionary and founder of the House of Givenchy in 1952, died on Saturday at the age of 91. The industry mourns the death of the man who single-handedly recreated the fashion facade of the world after World War 2 with his creations for Audrey Hepburn in classic movies including Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Funny Face, and How to Steal a Million.

Longtime friend of Hepburn, Givenchy also worked alongside then unknowns Pierre Balmain and Christian Dior. He further worked for Elsa Schiaparelli and admired Cristobal Balenciaga. Even his successors at his eponymous house included John Galliano, Alexander McQueen, Julien McDonald and the more recent, Riccardo Tisci, have gone on to carve their own legacies. His influence on 20th century fashion and beyond is immeasurable — Givenchy invented the ‘little black dress,’ after all.

Hubert de Givenchy’s work and own style was innovative for the time, yet timeless in the long run. He was the face of Parisian chic, and that’s precisely how the world will remember him.

 

mcqueen---feature

Alexander McQueen Releases Short Fashion Film for SS18 Collection

mcqueen---1

Now available for pre-order and in stores, Alexander McQueen released a candid video for its SS18 menswear collection. The presentation, which is inspired by classic European prints and textiles mixed with a punk edge — think red shearling and leather vests, mixed-pattern grey suits, and sleeveless lace tops and trench coats — was first shown back in June  as part of Paris Men’s Fashion Week. Directed by Masha Vasyukova, the short film features the actors — Willow Barrett, Benjamin Lessore and Chris Diena — strolling through the cloudy streets of London as a makeshift runway, with a classic model-esque aloofness that draws all the more attention to the sharp tailored cuts of the line. Take a look at the video here and consider one of the collection’s many coat options — a standout being the dramatic shearling and leather long biker jacket — before what’s sure to be a harsh winter.

GlobeTN

Alexander McQueen Puts Its Spin on Two Globe-Trotter Cases

576081008daba1465942272Image: Alexander McQueen.

Globe-Trotter teams up with Alexander McQueen to give the luggage brand’s classic shapes a rock ‘n’ roll flair in two exclusive cases. The 13” mini utility case and the 21” trolley case feature multiple hallmarks of the British fashion house: black leather covered in silver studding and riveting, accented by a skull padlock, and lined inside with the McQueen signature skull print in ivory and black. The utility case features a cross-body strap for ease and comfort, while the trolley offers up extra security with a leather strap around the middle of the suitcase. Combined with Globe-Trotter’s century-long commitment to creating durable and functional luggage, the bags not only look hardcore, but are built to live it.

The bags retail for $1,415 and $3,295 respectively, and are available now online.

LanvinTN

Transitional Outerwear for Spring

This season’s designer favorites challenge trends to overcome the expected tools of your wardrobe. As the yearly time of long layers continues to thin out, we welcome the best bombers, denim jackets, and lightweight outerwear to keep you a step ahead this spring.

1. Embroidered leather jacket, GUCCI


Image: Gucci.

Symbolic of youth’s infectious peculiarities, this creation of pale blues, heavy studs, and tatted flowers sends a message of freedom. Entering spring, Gucci gathers a new culture of punk.

$7,980, available at select Gucci stores nationwide and Gucci.com.

NEXT PAGE >