British fashion designer Lee Alexander McQueen, the original creative engine behind the Alexander McQueen label, was beloved for his expert tailoring and theatrical runway shows. After his suicide in 2010, fans left tributes to the man and his talents outside Alexander McQueen boutiques worldwide. Record-breaking crowds visited the posthumous retrospective of the designer’s work at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City and the Victoria and Albert in London.
The inspirations for vintage Alexander McQueen bags, dresses, jackets and other items came from many quarters — film, music, current events, history, his heritage and fashions of the past. The designer's runway presentations were not just displays of clothing but were personal expressions of the zeitgeist, often touching on our cultural anxieties and concerns. McQueen’s own thoughts and feelings about love, death, gender, genocide, colonialism, global warming and the extinction of species all appear in his pieces.
McQueen certainly shook up fashion; he was a born Rottweiler. His upbringing on a council estate in north London played a part, but his family was close and supportive, not dysfunctional. He was proud of his Scottish heritage: He was a defiant fashion warrior. His historical themes and shows — such as “Highland Rape,” 2002, which was inspired by England’s “rape of Scotland,” as McQueen called it — always invoked powerful reactions from his audience of fashion pros.
“What you see in the work is the person himself. And my heart is in my work,” McQueen told Harper’s Bazaar in 2007.
It is perhaps this heart, and the heart’s exposure, that drew the crowds and made McQueen's creations both popular and emotionally resonant. Because the work was personal and thus layered with feeling, the motifs — decorative embellishments and fabric choices — have meaning. In other words, in McQueen’s oeuvre, plaid is more than simply a pattern.
Find vintage Alexander McQueen fashion and accessories — including the designer's coveted bags and comfortable, stretchy jersey knit dresses and gowns — on 1stDibs.
Alexander McQueen Brown Patchwork Leather Coat with Goat Hair, Eshu, FW 2000
By Alexander McQueen
Located in London, GB
▪ Brand: Alexander McQueen ▪ Creative Director: Lee McQueen ▪ Collection: Eshu, Fall-Winter 2000 ▪ Fabric: Leather, Goat Hair ▪ Size: IT44 - FR40 - UK12 - US8 ▪ Made in: Italy ▪ Cond...
Dolce & Gabbana Brown Embellished Suede & Shearling Coat, FW 2001
By Dolce & Gabbana
Located in London, GB
▪ Brand: Dolce & Gabbana ▪ Creative Director: Domenico Dolce, Stefano Gabbana ▪ Collection: Fall-Winter 2001 ▪ Fabric: Suede, Shearling ▪ Size: Small ▪ Made in: Italy ▪ Condition...
Givenchy by Alexander McQueen beige angora wool and shearling coat, c. 1999-2001
By Alexander McQueen, Givenchy
Located in London, GB
▪ Givenchy beige maxi coat ▪ Designed by Alexander McQueen ▪ Large shearling collar and cuffs ▪ Double breasted ▪ Center pleat to the back ▪ 65% Angora...
Vivienne Westwood brown shearling coat dress, fw 1992
By Vivienne Westwood
Located in London, GB
Vivienne Westwood brown shearling coat dress. High neck, signature Westwood Orb buttons, fitted waist and flared skirt. Fall-Winter 1992
Chanel by Karl Lagerfeld Métiers d'Art 'Paris-London' Lesage Tweed Coat, PF 2008
By Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in London, GB
▪ Brand: Chanel ▪ Creative Director: Karl Lagerfeld ▪ Collection: Métiers d'Art, 'Paris-London', Pre-Fall 2008 ▪ Fabric 1: Tweed, 52% Wool, 45% Silk, 2% Viscose, 1% Polyester ▪ Fabri...
Vivienne Westwood brown wool and velvet swing coat, fw 1990
By Vivienne Westwood
Located in London, GB
Vivienne Westwood brown wool swing coat with velvet. Oversized inverted lapels, large perspex Orb button and voluminous back panel. Portrait, Fall-Winter 1990
Alexander McQueen Astrakhan Coat, Fall/Winter 2000
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Norwich, GB
UK shipping only for this item Alexander McQueen Astrakhan Coat, Fall/Winter 2000 'Eshu' collection. Rare example in the full length runway version. From the collection of a former ...
Gianfranco Ferré Overcoat with Fur Inserts - '90s
By Gianfranco Ferré
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Vintage Gianfranco Ferré wool overcoat with luxe fur trim and collar. With longline silhouette and tailored for chic winter elegance. Remarks: There is no size and composition tag. ...
Alexander McQueen 2004 cashmere Coat Jacket 42 it
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Алматинский Почтамт, KZ
Vintage Alexander McQueen cashmere coat from the 2004 collection. Country of manufacture: Italy 100% cashmere Measurements: Product ...
Vintage 1980's CHANEL Chocolate Brown LongWool Chesterfield Boucle Coat
By Chanel Boutique, Chanel
Located in Sheffield, GB
Chic Vintage CHANEL Chocolate Brown Wool & Silk Chesterfield Coat, Circa 1980. MADE IN FRANCE. This Timeless, Understated, Vintage CHANEL Coat...
ALEXANDER McQUEEN F/W 2005 Gray Brown Mink Fur Removable Hood Belted Jacket Coat
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Thiensville, WI
ALEXANDER McQUEEN F/W 2005 Gray Brown Mink Fur Removable Hood Belted Jacket Coat Brand / Manufacturer: Alexander McQueen Collection: F/W 2005 “The Man Who Knew Too Much” Designer: Alexander McQueen Style: Belted jacket Color(s): Gray (jacket, sleeves); natural (fur) Lined: Yes Marked Fabric Content: “80% Virgin fleece wool, 20% nylon”(shell/sleeves); “100% peliccia fur” (fur); “100% rayon cupro” (lining) Unmarked Fabric Content (feel of): Metal (hardware); leather (belt); Mink (fur) Additional Details / Inclusions: Gray knit sleeve belted jacket with removable hood. Fitted jacket with double set longline waist darts in front; armhole princess seams in back. Slightly curved side seams tapering in at waistline; side seams tapering out at hem. Wide ulster style notched lapel collar with topstitch detail around edges; button hardware at back underside of collar for hood attachment. Removable reversible mink fur hood...
Vintage Valentino Mohair Coat
By Oliver by Valentino
Located in London, GB
A chic and easy to wear vintage coat by Valention, Oliver line. The coat is in a seagreen mohair with ribbon tie fastening. It is fully lined, and has v neckline and pocket on eith...
The designer combined his Savile Row training with his fascination with Victorian jewelry to create a most alluring piece.
A striking tartan ensemble from the late designer’s celebrated (and controversial) Fall/Winter 2006 collection is equal parts tailored and punk.
