14 DAY TRIAL // Designer Alexander McQueen tragically passed away in February 2010, but his legacy will stand the test of time – and his latest and last collection is proof of that. The Fall 2010 line was just presented at Paris Fashion Week, a luxurious display of rich materials and intricate, architectural designs that reminded the members in the audience just why McQueen was dubbed “l’enfant terrible” of the fashion industry, as Hello magazine says in a review.
The collection was only 80 percent completed when McQueen passed away, but, with the help of Sarah Burton, who worked with him for almost a decade, it was brought to a spectacular end just in time for Fashion Week. The entire affair, though, was more of a requiem than a fashion show, with many eyes welling up with tears as the models walked in superbly exquisite creations that reminded of the golden ages of the monarchs.
“There was a poignant reminder of the world of fashion’s great loss this week as Alexander McQueen's final collection was shown at a private presentation in Paris. Critics hailed the unfinished 16-piece line as ‘heartbreakingly beautiful’ and ‘a requiem for a great designer.’ Gothic influences were evident in the opulent designs, which were said to be inspired by paintings of the Old Masters. Highlights included a floor-length cardinal-like cape with a besequined crimson column dress underneath, and a one-shouldered short dress bearing hand-painted gold feathers,” Hello magazine writes of the collection.
“Seven models presented the designs, which featured heavy embroidery, lots of gold details and woven patterns of angels and angel’s wings. And the musical accompaniment included the same operatic works the late designer listened to as he worked on the designs at his London studio. The ensembles were only 80 per cent finished when McQueen died last month. They were completed by Sarah Burton, who worked alongside the couturier for over a decade,” the publication goes on to say.
With this unfinished line, McQueen brought poetry back on the catwalk and in high fashion. Aside from the eeriness of the models, who had their faces painted pale white and their heads covered with golden scarves or Mohawk-shaped headwear, the line was the perfect blend of modern technology and the arts of the past. McQueen may be replaced by another designer with the fashion brand, as reports have it, but there will be only one Alexander McQueen, only one enfant terrible.
