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 Pre-Fall 2016 Black Pleated Silk Chiffon Ruffle Dress IT38
By Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, Alexander McQueen
Located in Woodland Hills, CA
Documented Alexander McQueen Pre-Fall 2016 black silk chiffon dress designed by Sarah Burton. Executed in finely pleated silk chiffon, this elegant cocktail dress features cascading...
2010 Vintage McQueen Dress Black Embellished Dress
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Montgomery, TX
Alexander McQueen, Fall/Winter 2010 Black Beaded Tulle Dress A rare and powerful piece from the 2010 collection, this sculptural black dress by Alexander McQueen exemplifies the hou...
Alexander McQueen Fully Lined Black Two-Tiered Cut-Out Dress
By Alexander McQueen
Located in New York, NY
This wonderfully wicked Alexander McQueen cut-out two-tiered black dress is fully lined with black silk. Dress is accented with a black belt of same material and finished with a bras...
ALEXANDER McQUEEN Black wool knit midi dress
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Milano, IT
Alexander McQueen black midi dress with fitted waistline and wide skirt flared toward the bottom. The neckline is V-neck and the short sleeve is slightly puffed. The silhouette is em...
ALEXANDER McQUEEN c.2012 Black Double Breasted Button Up Collar Cocktail Dress
By Alexander McQueen, Sarah Burton
Located in Thiensville, WI
ALEXANDER McQUEEN c.2012 Black Double Breasted Button Up Collar Cocktail Dress Brand / Manufacturer: Alexander McQueen Circa: 2012 Designer: Alexander McQueen Style: Cocktail Dress ...
Black McQ Alexander McQueen Sleeveless Black Dress Size IT 38
By Alexander McQueen
Located in New York, NY
Product Details: Black sleeveless black sheath dress by McQ Alexander McQueen. V-neck. Zip closure at back. 32" bust, 38" waist, 38.5" length, 10.5" shoulder width.
Alexander McQueen Vintage SS04 Women's Black Zombie Stitch Dress IT44
By Alexander McQueen
Located in London, GB
Collector’s vintage Alexander McQueen dress from the legendary Spring 2004 collection. In amazing new with tags condition. Made from soft black wool and silk mix crepe with edgy ...
Alexander McQueen 2011 Resort Black Mid-Length Dress with Collar
By Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, Alexander McQueen
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
ALEXANDER MCQUEEN - (Made in Italy) Black mid-length dress, collar embroidered with a golden thread pattern and pearls. Size 38FR indicated. 2011 Resort Collection, under the artisti...
Alexander Mcqueen Black Jersey Suspender Dress
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A beautiful example of Alexander McQueen’s signature blend of sensuality and tailoring, this black jersey suspender dress showcases the designer’s ability to transform simplicity int...
ALEXANDER MCQUEEN black viscose DRAPED Sleeve Knit Dress XS
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Zürich, CH
100% authentic Alexander McQueen sleeveless asymmetrical knit dress in black viscose (80%), cashmere (10%) and silk (10%) with a deep décolleté and a drape on the front. Unlined. Has...
ALEXANDER MCQUEEN 2015 100% silk black asymmetric flutter cocktail dress IT38 XS
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Hong Kong, NT
ALEXANDER MCQUEEN 2015 100% silk black asymmetric flutter cocktail dress IT38 XS Reference: TGAS/D00675 Brand: Alexander McQueen Collection: 2015 Material: Silk Color: Black Pattern:...
ALEXANDER MCQUEEN 2019 denim black topstitch ruffle peplum midi dress IT40 M
By Sarah Burton, Alexander McQueen
Located in Hong Kong, NT
ALEXANDER MCQUEEN 2019 cream denim black topstitch ruffle peplum midi dress IT40 M Reference: CC/A00454 Brand: Alexander McQueen Designer: Sarah Burton Model: 610635QMAAU9005 Collect...
OSCAR DE LA RENTA R14 100% silk black peak collar tiered puff dress US4 S
By Oscar De La Renta
Located in Hong Kong, NT
OSCAR DE LA RENTA R14 100% silk black peak collar tiered puff dress US4 S Reference: GEGG/A00098 Brand: Oscar de la Renta Designer: Oscar De La Renta Collection: R14 Material: Silk C...
DION LEE black silk one shoulder drape front asymmetric ruffle dress AUS10 M
By Dion Lee
Located in Hong Kong, NT
DION LEE black silk one shoulder drape front asymmetric ruffle dress AUS10 M Reference: KEDG/A00269 Brand: Dion Lee Material: Silk Color: Black Pattern: Solid Closure: Zip Lining: Bl...
VERA WANG Vintage black one shoulder ruched waist silk lined dress US2 S
By Vera Wang
Located in Hong Kong, NT
VERA WANG Vintage black one shoulder ruched waist silk lined dress US2 S Reference: CC/A00481 Brand: Vera Wang Material: Polyester, Blend Color: Black Pattern: Solid Closure: Zip Lin...
STELLA MCCARTNEY 2008 black silk intrecciato woven open back dress IT40 S
By Stella McCartney
Located in Hong Kong, NT
STELLA MCCARTNEY 2008 black silk intrecciato woven open back dress IT40 S Reference: CC/A00448 Brand: Stella McCartney Designer: Stella McCartney Model: ACH 1380 Collection: 2008 Mat...
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.
