Alexander McQueen, ever the rebel, sent shockwaves through Fashion Week every season. Today he gave us the biggest shock of all. Perhaps he has made the ultimate statement. Regardless, he has left behind a truly enduring legend. His collections, his master tailoring, his showmanship was unparelled. Fashion lovers everywhere are grieving, and for good reason. McQueen can shock us no more.I wrote my very first runway review about McQueen's fall 2008 collection. His inspiration was an ancient tree, and from there he imagined an entire fairytale about a woodland sprite turning into a queen before our very eyes. Look after look echoed his fascination with Russian czarinas and a recent trip to India, all fused with otherwordly elegance. This is what McQueen did best. Fashion editors and fans everywhere are still talking about his spring 2010 "alien" shoes. Lady Gaga wore head-to-toe McQueen in "Bad Romance." His work is just so fresh, so utterly relevant, and sadly today his "McQ" runway show was understandably cancelled. We've lost the chance to see his imagination and craftsmanship at work. It goes without saying, but he will truly be missed.
For a retrospective of some of McQueen's best work, click here.For just a few of my favorites, see below:
