Savage Beauty

Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty is one of my favorite coffee table books, because I bought it last year when viewing the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Alexander McQueen exhibit with my Mom. It turned out to be hands down one of the best things I’ve ever seen in my life, and we were completely blown away by the incredible creativity  and flawless workmanship on display. The exhibition was one of the Met’s most popular of all time, and they even extended the run because so many people were dying to see it. Here are a few of my favorite images from the book that bring to mind the awe I felt when viewing these items in person:

A very cool hallmark of McQueen’s aesthetic was the way he incorporated nature into his garments, even crafting whole pieces out of materials like clamshells:

On this one below he used microscope specimen slides (remember, from biology class?), dyed red. How amazing is that? I never would’ve realized what they were had it not been pointed out to me:

Some of the materials he used might traditionally be seen as ugly or just boring (like those biology slides), but he turned them into something amazing and beautiful:

Through the exhibit, I learned that McQueen’s designs went a LOT deeper than just being something pretty or shocking to look at. His collections encompassed wide ranging themes, from his Scottish heritage, to nature, life, death, gothic Victorian elements, cultural diversity, and a lot more. It really is a crime that we’ll never again see any new work from this creative genius, and never know what else he was capable of. Sadly, maybe it’s not possible to hold such beauty and imagination inside without also possessing it’s dark opposite.

All images by Jackie for York Avenue, from Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty

Leave a Comment

  1. Thank you for sharing this- he offers such a unique perspective on beauty!

    XX Kathryn

    http://lacoquettedelamode.wordpress.com/

    Published 1.19.12 · Reply
  2. Holly wrote:

    Gorgeous! I'm so jealous of you! I think this book is going on my wishlist…

    Published 1.19.12 · Reply
  3. Christina wrote:

    I have this book too, it's amazing! Great buy

    Published 1.19.12 · Reply
  4. Leslie wrote:

    Those images are incredible. Thanks for sharing.

    Published 1.19.12 · Reply
  5. so jealous you got to see it!

    Published 1.19.12 · Reply
  6. bevy wrote:

    Talk about a work of art! So sad the world lost such a dynamic artist.

    Published 1.19.12 · Reply
  7. Alexa wrote:

    Wow these photos are incredible. What an amazing exhibit.

    Published 1.19.12 · Reply
  8. Oh I never made it out for NY for the exhibit, but I did order the book via Amazon and it is one of my favourites!

    Published 1.19.12 · Reply
  9. Josie wrote:

    He really was a total genius. I like the quote and the idea of beauty coming from ugliness.

    Published 1.19.12 · Reply
  10. Awww, I love McQueen 🙁 He really had such a beautiful way of seeing things. Love that quote, too.

    Published 1.19.12 · Reply
  11. Emily wrote:

    OMG its a book!!!!? I am soo mad I missed it this summer at the museum, I really have no excuse since I worked in the city too.

    Published 1.20.12 · Reply
  12. Natalie wrote:

    I really wish I could have gone to that exhibit!

    Published 1.20.12 · Reply
  13. Ashley wrote:

    I've never seen this as a book!! Thanks for sharing it!

    Published 1.20.12 · Reply
  14. Alexander McQueen. He's the genius. I really love this post! I'm following you. hope you'll follow me back 🙂

    astorytohear.blogspot.com

    Published 1.20.12 · Reply
  15. Beautiful post, I would have loved to have seen this exhibition.

    Published 1.20.12 · Reply
  16. This looks like an awesome book , I love all of the different textures used.

    Published 1.20.12 · Reply
  17. just me wrote:

    amazing!!! this man was genious…

    http://excurlythoughts.blogspot.com/

    Published 1.20.12 · Reply
  18. Nuké wrote:

    Love love love his creation. I think it is such a loss for the Fashion World with his passing. Thank you for sharing this

    Love ur blog

    http://www.girllilikoi.com/

    Shall we follow each other?

    Published 1.22.12 · Reply