The King of Cool
I’m NOT trying to dis Steve McQueen. Really. I’m just pointing out that the other [in]famous McQueen—the late, great Alexander—also deserves to wear the “Cool” crown. His was an edgy, haunting, provocative cool. If you haven’t yet seen the Savage Beauty exhibition at the Met, you’re missing the chance to experience his singular, sublime genius. I admire his enthralling showmanship, intense creativity and stunning technical skills (witness the impeccable cut of this cashmere jacket.) While some folks are preoccupied by the dark themes of fetishism and sadomasochism that snake through some of McQueen’s collections, I found many of his pieces to be ethereal, vulnerable and drop-dead gorgeous. Two of my favorites:
Left: Dress, Sarabande, Spring/Summer 2007, nude silk embroidered with silk flowers and fresh flowers. Right: Dress, Voss, Spring/Summer 2001, red and black ostrich feathers and glass medical slides painted red.
Random thought: the dress from his Sarabande collection reminds me of Jeff Koons’s Puppy:
Jeff Koons, Puppy, multiple installations 1992-2000, stainless steel, soil, geotextile fabric, internal irrigation system, live flowering plants.
The Met recently extended Savage Beauty to August 7, 2011. Go and be transported.
Wow! That dog is awesome
xoxo
SC
I LOVE Alexander McQueen and I also love his predecessor, Sarah Burton. She takes McQueen’s edgy style that he is so known for and is now constructing pieces that can be worn off the runway. Hurray for the everyday gal! Love the Blog, nicely done!
[…] had none of the seriousness, heaviness or reverence that imbued the Alexander McQueen “Savage Beauty” show at the Met. Most people think of Gaultier as fashion’s former enfant terrible […]
[…] second is this dress by Alexander McQueen. He created his own wool tartan for his Widows of Culloden autumn/winter 2006-07 […]