“I don’t think like the average person on the street. I think quite perversely sometimes.”

           -Alexander McQueen

This past weekend I had the extreme pleasure of visiting the Metropolitan Museum of Art to see the works of Alexander McQueen in the exhibit Savage Beauty. McQueen was a true artist, who expressed himself through fashion. McQueen took inspiration from the most unique places. Every collection shows romanticism paired with something unorthodox, such as Scottish history. He had a unique gift of imagining a garment or runway show in his mind, then making the seemingly impossible happen. His work is described as drastic, sensuous, dark, and dramatic.

Walking through the Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Exhibition Hall those words cycled through my head. The garments grab your attention on their own, but the presentation of the collections was captivating. Statement pieces were accompanied by a clip of the runway show. A hologram presentation was paired with the theme song from Schindler’s List.

McQueen used materials from nature in his pieces that definitely add drama. Reading that a garment is made of wool or silk seems dull after viewing garments like these.  The first is from the collection It’s a Jungle Out There, incorporating impala horns. The coat from Jack the Ripper Stalks His Victims is lined in white silk with encapsulated human hair. And the dress from the Windows of Culloden collection is made of pheasant feathers.

Alexander McQueen is best described by his own quotes displayed throughout the exhibit. He describes his own designs as:

“When you see a woman wearing McQueen there is a certain hardness to the clothes that make her look powerful. It kind of fends people off.”

Powerful is right. The pieces are works of art, from which we make into a fashion statement on a smaller level for everyday wear. The inspiration we take from this show could be seen in the movement of fabric, patterns that speak, and fine tailoring. These are each styles that are realistic for the everyday stylish woman.

Due to popularity, the McQueen exhibit has been extended through August 7. Those of you in New York between now and then must go see it! If that is out of the question there are select pieces on the Met Blog as well as the clips from runway shows.