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 Iridescent Grey Wool/SIlk Suit
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Paris, FR
Iridescent wool suit Alexander McQueen crafted in a lustrous grey fabric with subtle rainbow undertones that shift in the light. The single-breasted blazer features notched lapels, s...
Alexander McQueen grey wool structured pant suit, fw 2000
By Alexander McQueen
Located in London, GB
▪ Alexander McQueen grey structured pant suit ▪ Outer: 100% Wool, Lining: 100% Silk ▪ Mid-length fitted jacket ▪ Diamond cut panels to bodice ▪ Standing shawl lapel ▪ Metal hook...
Alexander McQueen F/W 2000 Grey Cashmere Tailcoat Suit Ensemble
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Paris, FR
Cashmere tailcoat suit ensemble Alexander McQueen crafted in charcoal grey cashmere with classic morning coat proportions. This two-piece set features an elongated tailcoat with peak...
Grey Alexander McQueen Pinstriped Wool & Silk-Blend Skirt Suit Size US XS/S
By Alexander McQueen
Located in New York, NY
Grey pinstriped wool and silk-blend skirt suit by Alexander McQueen. Blazer features peaked lapel, dual welt pockets at hips, and single front button closures. Skirt features dual hi...
Alexander McQueen 1990's Grey Wool Jacket
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Caserta, IT
- Designed by Alexander McQueen - Late 90's Period - Wool Grey Blazer - Four Pockets - Zipped Details - Crop Fit - Excellent Condition - Made in Italy - Materials: 45% Wool 30% Visco...
Thierry Mugler 1990's Grey Wool Suit Jacket and Pants
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Caserta, IT
- Designed by Thierry Mugler - 1990's - Grey Wool Suit - Double frontal pockets - Double button closure on the front - Buttons at the wrists - Very good condition: little yellowing b...
GUCCI Vintage grey stripe cropped sleeve blazer suit IT52 XL
By Gucci, Tom Ford
Located in Hong Kong, NT
GUCCI Vintage grey stripe cropped sleeve blazer suit IT52 XL Reference: TGAS/E00070 Brand: Gucci Designer: Tom Ford Material: Wool, Mohair Color: Grey Pattern: Striped Closure: Butto...
Dior Grey Wool Pant Suit
By Christian Dior
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Christian Dior - (Made in France) Grey wool pant suit with a silk lining. Size 44FR. Additional information: Condition: Very good condition Dimensions: Jacket: Shoulder width: 44 cm...
1990s John Galliano Made in France Gray Pinstripe Wool Ruched Waist Pantsuit
By John Galliano
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This impeccably tailored two-piece pantsuit by John Galliano showcases the designer’s signature ability to combine classic tailoring with sculptural femininity. Crafted in France fr...
2000s Alexander Mcqueen Fitted Jacket and Pant suit
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
2002 Alexander Mcqueen Fitted Jacket and pant fit size - fitted jacket marked size 42 - buttons Jacket fit size 4 ( size 42) Pants fit size 2/4 ( size 40
ALEXANDER McQUEEN A/W 1998 “Joan” Gray Blazer Jacket Wide Leg Trouser Pant Suit
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Thiensville, WI
ALEXANDER McQUEEN A/W 1998 “Joan” Gray Blazer Jacket Wide Leg Trouser Pant Suit Brand / Manufacturer: Alexander McQueen Collection: A/W 1998 “Joan” - Runw...
ALEXANDER McQUEEN Pre-Fall 2009 2 Piece Gray Wool Cashmere Blazer Pant Suit Set
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Thiensville, WI
Alexander McQueen Pre-Fall 2009 two piece gray wool cashmere pant suit. Long bell sleeve blazer. Over-sized collar. Three center front button closures. Two front welt flap pockets. S...
ALEXANDER McQUEEN S/S 1996 “The Hunger” Gray Tailored Long Sleeve Blazer Jacket
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Thiensville, WI
ALEXANDER McQUEEN S/S 1996 “The Hunger” Gray Tailored Long Sleeve Blazer Jacket Brand / Manufacturer: Alexander McQueen Collection: S/S 1996 “The Hunger” Designer: Alexander McQuee...
ALEXANDER McQUEEN c.1996 Black Linen Stripe Detail Blazer Trouser Pant Suit Set
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Thiensville, WI
ALEXANDER McQUEEN c.1996 Black Linen Stripe Detail Blazer Trouser Pant Suit Set Brand / Manufacturer: Alexander McQueen Circa: 1996 Designer: Alexander McQueen Style: Tailored blaze...
ALEXANDER McQUEEN A/W 1998 “Joan” 2 pc. Removable Collar Blazer Skirt Suit Set
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Thiensville, WI
ALEXANDER McQUEEN A/W 1998 “Joan” 2 pc. Removable Collar Blazer Skirt Suit Set Brand / Manufacturer: Alexander McQueen Collection: A/W 1998 “Joan” Designer: Alexander McQueen Style...
GIVENCHY Couture A/W 1998 ALEXANDER McQUEEN Blue Gray Tailored Blazer Skirt Suit
By Alexander McQueen, Givenchy
Located in Thiensville, WI
GIVENCHY Couture A/W 1998 ALEXANDER McQUEEN Blue Gray Tailored Blazer Skirt Suit Brand / Manufacturer: Givenchy Collection: A/W 1998 Designer: Alexander McQueen Style: Tailored bla...
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.
