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 S/S 1999 "No.13" Lace Pinstripe Pleat Waistband Mini Skirt
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Thiensville, WI
ALEXANDER McQUEEN S/S 1999 "No.13" Lace Pinstripe Pleat Waistband Mini Skirt Brand / Manufacturer: Alexander McQueen Collection: S/S 1999 "No.13" Designer: Alexander McQueen Style: ...
Long cotton Popeline ruffle skirt CHRISTIAN DIOR
By MARIA GRAZIA CHIURI, Christian Dior
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Long cotton Popeline ruffle skirt. Zip and hook&eye closure on the left side. Bottom diameter= 10m SIZE XS / 36
Dolce & Gabbana S/S 1994 Tiered Silk Chiffon Skirt
By Dolce & Gabbana
Located in Paris, FR
Tiered silk chiffon skirt from Dolce & Gabbana's Spring/Summer 1994 collection. Features a fitted yoke waistband with three cascading tiers of graduated ruffled layers. Constructed i...
S/S 2005 Roberto Cavalli Brown Ruffle Silk Taffeta Maxi Flare Skirt S
By Roberto Cavalli
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Presenting a gorgeous dark brown maxi skirt by Roberto Cavalli from the Spring/Summer 2005 collection. Similar designs of maxi skirts were showcased on the season's runway. This fabu...
ALEXANDER McQUEEN S/S 1995 "The Birds" Iconic "Bumster" Skirt w/ Hair Label RARE
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Thiensville, WI
DESCRIPTION: ALEXANDER McQUEEN S/S 1995 "The Birds" Iconic "Bumster" Skirt w/ Hair Label RARE Brand / Manufacturer: Alexander McQueen Collection: Spring / Summer 1995 “The Birds”; Runway look #7 Designer: Alexander McQueen Manufacturer Style Name: Bumster skirt Color(s): Off white Lined: Yes Unmarked Fabric Content (feel of): Shell: Cotton blend; Lining: Rayon blend Additional Details / Inclusions: Alexander McQueen’s iconic...
Christian Dior by John Galliano F/W 2003 lace silk beaded mermaid maxi skirt
By John Galliano for Christian Dior, Christian Dior
Located in PARIS, FR
An exquisite Christian Dior Boutique maxi skirt from John Galliano's celebrated Fall/Winter 2003 collection, showcasing the designer's unmistakable romanticism and exceptional crafts...
Maison Martin Margiela Artisanal OffWhite Pleated Skirt W/Vintage Panels SS 2000
By Maison Martin Margiela
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Resurrection Vintage is excited to offer a rare vintage Maison Martin Margiela off-white pleated oversized skirt from the spring 2001 collection, which focused on oversized tailoring...
VALENTINO white SHEER PLEATED LACE MAXI Skirt M
By Valentino
Located in Zürich, CH
100% authentic Valentino sheer pleated lace maxi skirt in white viscose (43%), cotton (34%), polyamide (23%) (missing content tag). Closes with one hoo...
ALEXANDER McQUEEN S/S 2002 "Dance of the Twisted Bull" Black Asymmetrical Skirt
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Thiensville, WI
Alexander McQueen Spring-Summer 2002 "Dance of the Twisted Bull" skirt. Black cotton with asymmetrical hemline trimmed with tiers of ruffles....
Roberto Cavalli Vintage 2005 Women's Brown Tiered Ruffle Maxi Skirt
By Roberto Cavalli
Located in Atlanta, GA
An elegant expression of Roberto Cavalli’s romantic, bohemian sensibility, this Spring/Summer 2005 tiered maxi skirt embodies effortless drama through volume, movement, and refined c...
John Galliano for Christian Dior Silk Maxi Skirt
By John Galliano, Christian Dior
Located in Water Mill, NY
A gorgeous silk long skirt with yellow, green and white abstract shapes including glowers and leaves on a brown background from John Galliano for Christian Dior. It is semi fitted t...
Oscar de la Renta Silk Ruffle Palazzo Pants
By Oscar De La Renta
Located in Water Mill, NY
Fabulous black silk palazzo wide leg pants from Oscar de la Renta. They are high rise skimming the hips with wide legs flaring to the hem. There is intricate seaming with small ruff...
Alexander McQueen New Skirt AW 1999
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Water Mill, NY
A great red wool skirt from Alexander McQueen. It has a waistband configured as an extension of the skirt, side zipper and vertical panels which incorporate slits at the front hem....
Alexander McQueen New Silk Top with Tulle and Lace Sleeves S/S 1999
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Water Mill, NY
An incredible grey fine silk knit top from Alexander McQueen. It is semi fitted with a crew neckline and elaborate grey net, tulle and lace layered sleeves...
Comme des Garcons AD 2001 Overskirt
By Comme des Garçons
Located in Water Mill, NY
A great black overskirt from Comme des Garcons, CDG. It consists of an open front skirt with a stretch waistband. Fits sizes Small, Medium. Marked Ja...
Emanuel Ungaro Ruched Skirt 1990s
By Emanuel Ungaro
Located in Water Mill, NY
A fabulous wool jersey skirt from Emanuel Ungaro's Parallele line an elaborate pattern of flowers in blue, purple, red, pink on a grey background. It is pencil style with the entire...
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.
