Artist research Alexander McQueen

I researched and influenced my work based upon the clothing and fashion designs produced by Alexander McQueen.  His iconic dresses and fashion pieces inspire my design, how he uses such intricate detailing and heavily themed costumes which are unique and not found on the high street but more appeal to the fashion and catwalk industry.  As most of his garments are featured in highly recognized fashion shows. (The american express black show in London Earls Court venue 2004) Ref Alexander McQueen Genius of a generation) by Kristin  Knox page 50.

Alexander McQueen also was know for using skulls in his designs, which I used as a big influence for my fashion piece. Having to incorporate life drawing into my work the skeleton theme appealed and inspires me with the use of Alexander McQueen image reference.
I also wanted to use his knowledge and experience of designing cat walk dresses and how he adapts his design for the cat walk and other costumes which are showcased.

I feel his iconic dresses of movement of fabrics used really inspire me, how he captures the human movement through the use of moving fabric. I collected images off of  the internet to help me research further into the movement concept and I want to incorporate this idea in my final piece.
I collected images of these garments from internet to put in my sketch book for first hand source material.




Book research

Alexander McQueen genius of a generation by Kristin Knox.


This book research was the most useful source to creating my design, as it gave me information and images of the garments he designed. One image that stud out on page 64 was a garment design incorporating a wig element of hair in both the skirt and long pony tail. He also assembled a full body cast showing the human figure and shape.  He then extended and exaggerate the hips and shoulders of the body cast. I found this dress influenced me as it incorporated the theme of the human body shape.  It has also widened my thoughts and concept of the human body and how I can incorporate other elements like hair instead of looking at just the shape and structure.


Another image which inspired me on page 34 was a picture of a model displaying a gold painted fox skeleton wrapped around her arm and neck.  He wanted to display a thing of true exquisite beauty just from one element of clothing for the show case of the design. This also links in with the theme of the skeleton body, How he uses an idea to create an intricate piece of skeleton sculpture combining black clothing in order for the focal point to be on the gold painted fox.




Finally my most inspired image from the Alexander McQueen book reference by Kristin Knox, was an image of Page 50, of a skull print dress modeled by Kate Moss.  This design has since gone on to be one of Alexander McQueen's signature pieces.  And I can see why. I like how it reflects back to the theme of the use of skeletons and love how the skull print is repeated to become a part of the fabric itself.  The colour sceem and tones used in the fabric piece inspire me as it reflects the theme of the skeleton form. It is a beautiful garment which I will refer back to when I am designing my final garment.