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 Striped Wool & Cashmere Blend Button-Up Sweater
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
The Alexander McQueen Striped Wool & Cashmere Blend Button-Up Sweater is a stunning piece that brings a touch of contemporary elegance to any wardrobe. Featuring a chic square neck c...
$294Sale Price|30% Off
OLD CELINE Phoebe Philo cream black wool colorblock hem sweater XS
By Celine, Phoebe Philo
Located in Hong Kong, NT
OLD CELINE Phoebe Philo cream black wool colorblock hem sweater XS Reference: SNKO/A00457 Brand: Celine Designer: Phoebe Philo Material: Wool Color: Cream, Brown Pattern: Solid Closu...
Maison Martin Margiela Navy Blue Distressed High Neck Pullover Sweater 2000
By Maison Martin Margiela
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Resurrection Vintage is thrilled to present a vintage Maison Martin Margiela navy blue distressed high neck pullover sweater from the 2000 collection, featuring a rolled neck, decora...
ALEXANDER MCQUEEN dark teal blue wool knit V-neck long sleeve sweater XS
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Hong Kong, NT
ALEXANDER MCQUEEN dark teal blue wool knit V-neck long sleeve pullover sweater XS Reference: NKLL/A00649 Brand: Alexander McQueen Material: Feels like wool Color: Blue Pattern: Soli...
OLD CELINE PHOEBE PHILO cream cashmere mohair cutout turtleneck sweater M
By Celine, Phoebe Philo
Located in Hong Kong, NT
OLD CELINE PHOEBE PHILO cream cashmere mohair cutout turtleneck sweater M Reference: TGAS/D00387 Brand: Celine Designer: Phoebe Philo Material: Cashmere, Mohair Color: Cream, Black P...
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 black wool angora blend ribbed turtleneck sweater S
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Hong Kong, NT
ALEXANDER MCQUEEN black wool angora blend ribbed turtleneck sweater S Reference: AEMA/A00037 Brand: Alexander McQueen Material: Wool Color: Black Pattern: Solid Extra Details: Ribbed...
Navy and white knit chiné sweater Courrèges
By Courrèges
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Navy and white knit chiné sweater. Knit composition: 64% triacetate, 18% polyamide, 18% polyester. Button and buttonhole on the shoulder and pocket on both side. SIZE M ( "D" on tag)
2013 CELINE by PHOEBE PHILO cream wool RUNWAY sweater with cuffed sleeves
By Phoebe Philo, Celine
Located in San Fransisco, CA
This Celine sweater from the Fall 2013 runway was designed by Phoebe Philo and is knit from a thick cream wool in a chunky ribbed pattern. The body is fairly simple, with a relaxed f...
OLD CELINE Phoebe Philo black wool cream silk panelled button detail sweater XS
By Phoebe Philo, Celine
Located in Hong Kong, NT
OLD CELINE Phoebe Philo black wool cream silk panelled button detail sweater XS Reference: YIKK/A00123 Brand: Celine Designer: Phoebe Philo Material: Silk, Wool Color: Black, Cream P...
ALEXANDER MCQUEEN cream wool 2018 CHUNKY CABLE KNIT Sweater M
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Zürich, CH
This 100% authentic Alexander McQueen chunky patchwork knit sweater is crafted from cream wool (100%) and features a boxy, oversized silhouette. The design combines a mix of cable an...
CHANEL navy blue & white wool blend 2018 18A HAMBURG CHUNKY KNIT Sweater 40 M
By Chanel
Located in Zürich, CH
100% authentic Chanel 2018 Hamburg chunky knit sweater in navy and off-white wool (69%), cashmere (30%) and polyamide (1%). Features long sleeves, ...
VALENTINO white & black viscose 2023 STRIPED RIB-KNIT Sweater XS
By Valentino
Located in Zürich, CH
This 100% authentic Valentino sweater in white rib-knit viscose (70%) and polyamide (30%) reimagines classic nautical style with modern sophistication. Featuring navy blue stripes, a...
CHRISTIAN DIOR ivory & navy wool 2022 STRIPED OPEN BACK TURTLENECK Sweater S
By Christian Dior
Located in Zürich, CH
100% authentic Christian Dior Cruise 2022 open back striped turtleneck knit sweater in off-white and navy wool (70%) and polyamide (30%). Feature...
CHRISTIAN DIOR navy & ivory wool 2022 STRIPED OPEN BACK TURTLENECK Sweater S
By Christian Dior
Located in Zürich, CH
100% authentic Christian Dior open back striped turtleneck knit sweater in navy and off-white wool (70%) and polyamide (30%). Features long chunky knit sleeves and opens with a self-tie cord on the back. Unlined. Has been worn once and is in virtually new condition. Same sweater in off-white and navy available in separate listing. 2022 Resort Measurements Model Dior22...
DRIES VAN NOTEN cream & blue wool ZIP FRONT Cardigan Sweater S
By Dries van Noten
Located in Zürich, CH
100% authentic Dries van Noten intarsia cardigan in cream and navy blue wool (100%). Features chunky cable-knit details and striped rib-knit trims. Closes with a zipper on the front ...
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.
