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.
New A/W 2006 ALEXANDER McQUEEN The Widows of Culloden Knit Cardigan Coat
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Алматинский Почтамт, KZ
ALEXANDER McQUEEN NEW A/W 2006 "The Widows of Culloden" Knit Layered Sweater ALEXANDER McQUEEN Collection Fall 2006 Photos: Fall 2006 Alexander McQueen, Look 23, Model Romina Lanaro...
A/W 2006 ALEXANDER McQUEEN The Widows of Culloden Knit Convertible Cardigan Coat
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Montgomery, TX
ALEXANDER McQUEEN A/W 2006 "The Widows of Culloden" Knit Layered Sweater Look #23 Size - M 100% Wool, Color - Charcoal gray, Leather buttons, Long sleeved. Dramatic shawl collar; fe...
2005 Alexander McQueen Mohair Sweater Fall / Winter 2005 Collection
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Алматинский Почтамт, KZ
Alexander McQueen — Mohair Sweater from Fall/Winter 2005 Collection Made in Italy 80% Mohair, 20% Polyamide Size XS Rare vintage sweater b...
Alexander McQueen Double-Breasted Cashmere Knit Jersey Cardigan Jacket
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Antwerpen, Vlaams Gewest
Enjoy this item as part of our Holiday Sale, for one week! Alexander McQueen Double-Breasted Black Cashmere Knit Jersey Cardigan Basque-inspired Jacket A timeless, luxurious piece s...
New Alexander McQueen Bolero 2005
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Алматинский Почтамт, KZ
New Alexander McQueen Bolero 2005 Brand / Manufacturer: Alexander McQueen Collection: A/F 2005 Style: Bolero / crop cardigan Color(s): beige Marked Fab...
Alexander McQueen skull knit cardigan
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Алматинский Почтамт, KZ
Alexander McQueen skull knit cardigan size L made in Italy color: black/gray condition: gently used composition: 100% wool Measurements: chest ~ 55 cm sleeve ~ 68 cm shoulders ~ 46...
2010 Vintage Alexander McQueen Cardigan for Men NWT
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Montgomery, TX
2010 Alexander McQueen Cardigan for Men 100% Cotton IT Size XXXL Made in Italy New, with tags
Alexander McQueen Bamboo and Cashmere Cardigan
By McQ Alexander McQueen
Located in London, GB
A great cardigan for Fall, perfect for layering. The cardigan is in a bamboo and cashmere mix, and has a six button opening and breast pocket on the left hand side. Measurements: Bu...
Rare F/W 2005 Alexander McQueen Fair-Isle boiled wool Sweater / cardigan
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Алматинский Почтамт, KZ
Rare F/W 2005 Alexander McQueen Fair-Isle boiled wool Sweater / cardigan Designer: Alexander McQueen Brand: Alexander McQueen Collection: Fall / winter 2005 «The Man Who Knew Too Much» Country of origin: Italy Material: 100% wool Reference: 1. Victoria Beckham arrives at Ciampino Airport to leave Rome following the wedding of Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise on November 19, 2006 in Rome, Italy. 2. Runway reference photo Please note: the runway photos show the pullover version, also on Victoria Beckham, but it is a cardigan with buttons in the front. Details: elongated sleeves, the pattern includes skulls, which Alexander McQueen used...
Alexander McQueen Cashmere Knitted Jumper
By Alexander McQueen
Located in London, GB
Alexander McQueen Cashmere Knitted Jumper Bright red jumper fully crafted from cashmere. Designed with vertical tailored dart details, relaxed silhouette and a crew neckline. Rrp ...
Alexander McQueen redingote coat 2006
By Alexander McQueen
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
ALEXANDER MCQUEEN - (Made in Italy) Asymmetrical khaki mohair wool redingote with bow buttons. Size XS indicated. 2006 Fall-Winter Collection. Condition: Very good condition Dimens...
Christian Lacroix cardigan by Christian Lacroix circa 2000
By Christian Lacroix
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHRISTIAN LACROIX - A ready-to-wear Collection circa 2000 under the artistic direction of Christian Lacroix. White openwork cardigan with fringes. Size and composition labels missi...
Christian Lacroix cardigan
By Christian Lacroix
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHRISTIAN LACROIX - Blended silk and cashmere cardigan in black, yellow, and beige tones, embroidered with black pearls. No size indicated, it fits a 38FR/40FR. Condition: Good cond...
John Galliano Blended Mohair and Cashmere Cardigan, 2004
By John Galliano
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Galliano - (Made in Italy) Blended mohair and cashmere cardigan in purple, yellow, red, and pink tones. Size M indicated. 2004 Fall-Winter Collection. Additional information: Condit...
Christian Lacroix cardigan
By Christian Lacroix
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHRISTIAN LACROIX - Long black wool cardigan ornamented with multicolored ribbons and threads. It comes with a scarf. Size XL indicated. Condition: Very good condition Dimensions: ...
Christian Dior cardigan by Bill Gaytten Cruise 2012
By John Galliano for Christian Dior, Christian Dior
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
DIOR - 2012 Cruise ready-to-wear Collection under the artistic direction of Bill Gaytten. Powder-pink knitted cardigan ornamented with flounces and sequins. Size 40FR indicated. M...
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.
