Lee Alexander McQueen was born in London on March 17, 1969. He left school at the age of 16 to take up an apprenticeship at Savile Row where he learned tailoring techniques. McQueen launched his own label in 1992, the fashion house quickly rose to fame for its groundbreaking designs and unique approach to luxury fashion. McQueen's debut runway show in 1992, titled "Jack the Ripper Stalks His Victims," shocked the fashion world. Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, the brand continued to push boundaries and grow in popularity. In the 1999 Spring/Summer show, McQueen featured a model in a white dress being sprayed with red paint guns.
The luxury conglomerate Gucci Group acquired a controlling stake in the Alexander McQueen brand in 2001, providing resources for its expansion. McQueen's innovative designs and theatrical runway presentations earned him many awards, including the title of British Designer of the Year four times.
The iconic skull motif is one of McQueen’s signature themes - the silk Skull Scarf debuted in 2003 and the Skull Knuckle Clutch (“knucklebag”) was launched in 2009.
Lee Alexander McQueen passed away in 2010, leaving behind a legacy of creativity and innovation that continues to influence the fashion world. Sarah Burton, who had worked closely with McQueen for years, took over as Creative Director and has since upheld the brand's reputation for daring design.
