Duchess of Cambridge's favourite label Alexander McQueen to be star of spectacular exhibition in London

  • V&A will present Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty in London in 2015
  • First and largest retrospective of late designer's work in Europe
  • Designer took own life in 2010
  • Duchess of Cambridge wore his design at Royal wedding

By Bianca London

Published: 02:46 EST, 28 April 2014 | Updated: 05:42 EST, 28 April 2014

It was the label that she chose for the biggest day of her life in April 2011 and has returned to on many occasions, particularly in recent weeks during the royal tour.

And now, the work of the Duchess of Cambridge's favourite designer, Alexander McQueen, will be exhibited in all its glory.

The V&A will present Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty in London in spring 2015 - the first and largest retrospective of the late designer's work to be presented in Europe.

Firm fan: The Duchess of Cambridge, pictured meeting fans in Adelaide, is a huge fan of Alexander McQueen and has chosen the label countless times for some of her most important events

Firm fan: The Duchess of Cambridge, pictured meeting fans in Adelaide, is a huge fan of Alexander McQueen and has chosen the label countless times for some of her most important events

Spanning from his 1992 MA graduate collection to his unfinished A/W 2010 collection, the V&A promise that McQueen's designs will be presented with the dramatic staging and sense of spectacle synonymous with his runway shows.

 

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The original version of Savage Beauty at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York in 2011 was organised by the Costume Institute and became one of the Museum's top 10 most visited exhibitions - so London is hoping for the same.

Showcase: The V&A will present Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty in London in spring 2015 - the first and largest retrospective of the late designer's work to be presented in Europe. Pieces such as this cat suit from his 1998 show will be displayed

Showcase: The V&A; will present Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty in London in spring 2015 - the first and largest retrospective of the late designer's work to be presented in Europe. Pieces such as this cat suit from his 1998 show will be displayed

Spectacular: Spanning his 1992 MA graduate collection to his unfinished A/W 2010 collection, the V&A promise that McQueen's designs will be presented with sense of spectacle synonymous with his runway shows, like this AW 09 show
A model walks the catwalk at the Alexander McQueen fashion show at Paris Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 2006/7 wearing a creation that will go on show

Spectacular: Spanning from his 1992 MA graduate collection to his unfinished A/W 2010 collection, the V&A promise that McQueen's designs will be presented with sense of spectacle synonymous with his runway shows, like this AW 09 show (left) and AW 07 show (right)

Tragic: Alexander McQueen, left, pictured with milliner Philip Treacy, hanged himself in February 2010 - a huge loss to the fashion world

Tragic: Alexander McQueen, left, pictured with milliner Philip Treacy, hanged himself in February 2010 - a huge loss to the fashion world

'London’s where I was brought up. It’s where my heart is and where I get my inspiration' said Alexander McQueen in 2000, ten years before he tragically took his own life.

Speaking about the enfant terrible of the fashion world whose talent for design has been lauded across the globe, Martin Roth, V&A Director, said: 'Lee Alexander McQueen was brought up in London, studied here and based his globally successful McQueen fashion brand here - by staging the exhibition at the V&A it feels like we are bringing his work home.'

Sarah Burton, Creative Director Alexander McQueen, the late designers business partner and mastermind behind Kate Middleton's wedding dress, said: 'Savage Beauty is a celebration of the most imaginative and talented designer of our time.

Most famous design: Sarah Burton, Creative Director Alexander McQueen, who designed Kate's wedding dress, said that the upcoming exhibition is a celebration of the most 'imaginative and talented' designer of our time

Most famous design: Sarah Burton, Creative Director of Alexander McQueen, who designed Kate's wedding dress, said that the upcoming exhibition is a celebration of the most 'imaginative and talented' designer of our time

She just loves his designs! Kate wore more McQueen than any other label over the last few weeks on her Royal Tour of New Zealand and Australia
The Duchess of Cambridge leaves Clarence House to travel to Buckingham Palace for the evening celebrations following her wedding to Prince William in another gown by McQueen

She just loves his designs! Kate wore more McQueen than any other label over the last few weeks on her Royal Tour of New Zealand and Australia, left, and famously at the evening reception following her wedding, right

'Lee was a genius and a true visionary who pushed boundaries, challenged and inspired. He believed in creativity and innovation and his talent was limitless.'

From humble East-end beginnings, McQueen catapulted through life from the 21st floor of a council flat as an obstinate 16-year-old embroider (one who stitched the phrase ‘I am a c***’ on a jacket designed for Prince Charles) to an inexorable household name.

Describing his childhood as ‘troubled’, McQueen came out as gay at the age of 18 armed with an often foul mouth and offensive humour, often incorporating themes such as death, masochism and violence into his fantastically original collections.

He is also known for having worked as chief designer at Givenchy from 1996 to 2001. The designer hanged himself in February 2010.

Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty runs from March 14 - Jily 19 2015 at the V&A. In parternship with Swarovski. Supported by American Express



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Burton and middleton are ruining the label. Kate should save money by buying clothes from m&s; and hiring a tailor. Or actually recycle clothes and take Elizabeth's hand me downs and have them tailored...since kate obviously has not one creative bone in her body. Very unlike Diana... Diana was creative and classy. The Windsor pearls knotted and down her back for example. She was perfection. For the life of me I cannot think of one thing I like about kate.

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Totally disagree Diana wore dreadful clothes none of them have stood the test of time......

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Sarah Burton is a far cry from Alexander McQueen who was a true creative genius. Under Sarah Burton, Kate has managed to wear the most boring and plain McQueen outfits imaginable. Both her wedding dress and her evening reception dress had a strange bodice that make her look like she's wearing cone-shaped bras! Not only that, but that wedding dress wasn't even an original concept but heavily influenced and copied from Grace Kelly's wedding dress.

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In general I like Kate's style and I loved a lot her wedding dress ! However, for me England is more rock'n roll and I am not fan of the outfits of the brand Alexander McQueen designed by Sarah Burton for the Duchess. It is not McQueen mind. I dont want her and William to become the news Kate Moss and Pete Doherty or Amy Winehouse Blake Fielder-Civil. After all, they are the futur king and queen. But I would like to see a little touch of craziness that makes me adore Great-Britain. The dress in the first picture is awful. The blue coat is boring..I like elegancy but I prefer but I prefer originality. Originality doesn't mean trashy.

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There was Lee McQueen and now there is only Sarah Burton and Waity, the name of the label should be changed.

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I think Kate wears S. Burton because it's a UK firm and she wants to boost sales. If Kate had her way I suspect her choices would be bolder, and more youthful. But I also suspect that the average member of the British public would be unhappy with more adventurous choices. Recall the reaction to the lovely white dress she wore her last evening in Oz. The pattern of the lace and how it was used drew many thumbs down yet it is what was so refreshing to an otherwise very boring style. Kate has to walk a very fine line. For most, money is tight and adventurous designs are often more pricey. I've said here on a few occasions that I hope she is more adventurous in the future but I appreciate her caution, given the fashion tastes of most and their sensitivities to costs.

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I wish Kate would for once wear one of his really risque designs

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The McQueen work for Kate (not done by the deceased genius Alexander) is total rubbish....and IMHO that includes the wedding dress. Just not able to dress her in a flattering way at all. Her wardrobe for the trip to NZ and Australia was superb. In role, flattering, lovely in photos.

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I could assemble similarly appropriate pieces and dresses she wore on the Australia & NZ tour for a fraction of what she spent. $1500 for a simple shift dress is obscene.

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She manages to make Alexander McQueen look bland.

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We all know who Alexander McQueen is, you don't need to name drop a royal to give it validity.

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Surely if Ms Burton is sufficiently talented she would design under her own name?

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