It's a luxury fashion brand known for its intricacies, and now Alexander McQueen are giving the public a glance at the method behind the magic.
A new exhibition, Roses, opens at the brand's Old Bond Street store tomorrow and is structured around two key pieces in the iconic brand's history: the finale gown Lee McQueen made using real flowers for his Sarabande Spring/ Summer 2007 collection, and the "Rose dress" from its more recent Autumn/ Winter 2019 collection.
The exhibition has been co-curated by the brand's Creative Director, Sarah Burton, who intended to open the space to inspire young and creative talent.
Speaking to Vogue, Burton expressed: "“I want to show how community is at the heart of everything we do at Alexander McQueen. Right from the beginning, when I started with Lee, from Central Saint Martins in 1996, and there were only a few of us, he gave everyone – the interns as well – hands-on experience in making things.”
In fact, such is Burton's commitment to burgeoning talent that the dress worn by Stella Tennant in the spring/summer 2020 show, was actually decorated with embroideries of sketches made by Central Saint Martins students during a fashion illustration session held in the exhibition space earlier this year.
The exhibit, which is showcased on the top floor of McQueen's new Mayfair flagship store, shows the thorough background research which the brand's design team undertake prior to each collection.
The opening of the exhibition comes after it was announced that 45-year-old Burton, who is one of the Duchess of Cambridge's go-to designers, will receive the Trailblazer Award at this year's British Fashion Awards, which will be held on Monday evening.
Alexander McQueen was founded by Lee Alexander McQueen in 1992 and after Lee's death in 2010, Burton was promoted from Head of Design for womenswear to Creative Director, a role which she has occupied ever since.
“Roses” is open from tomorrow during Alexander McQueen store hours at 27 Old Bond Street, Mayfair.
