Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Alexander McQueen SS2011


















If there is a way for someone to touch this world from the other side, then that's what has happened at Alexander McQueen. This collection is so much his voice it seems like he's spoken through the hands of Creative Director, Sarah Burton and her team. This is not meant to take credit from her. She is deserving of the highest praise for work that far exceeds that of her contemporaries or the expectations of the world. What astounds me is the unbroken thread of his vision that seems stronger than ever in her capable hands. So many themes he was exploring have been developed and realized in the most fantastic ways. Feathers, butterflies and wheat, that symbol of good fortune are woven and applied to shapes that are at once other worldly and approachable. Burton has taken his vocabulary and softened it without distilling the message. Whereas the last collection was difficult to imagine in any other setting than a museum, this is made to be worn by many. As much as these clothes are offerings to the gods, so too are they meant to walk this earth. This shows you it is possible to keep the flame burning. I wish them all the very best of luck. Somehow, luck doesn't seem to be necessary. This last gown looks like the personification of his guardian angel. She's maybe among us which is an even greater gift than these beautiful offerings.







Images: Courtesy of GettyImages

11 comments:

katie said...

awesome series of reviews, fluff. keep 'em coming! can't wait to hear your word on rodarte...

Jane Kilpatrick Schott said...

Oh, I am so glad to hear your comments on the McQueen show. I was wondering if this was going to hold up with the master on the other side.

I feel much better!

Amber said...

Beautiful review.

Fluff Chance said...

Thanks you guys for your positive comments on the McQueen post. I'm very grateful that you all got something from my thoughts. These moments are what make fashion and this blog valuable to me.
sincerely,
eric

P.Gaye Tapp at Little Augury said...

so true, beauty designed on a higher plane-It seems He was always out there somewhere in life, why not in death. the clothes are otherworldly and your take on the spot on. pgt

Anonymous said...

nice one...



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chris in sf said...

breathtaking!
I think McQueen would be proud.
it helps that she collaborated with McQueen for years, understood his sensibilities, his point of view and how he cut the fabrics and assembled the garments. I'm glad she got the job and not some other "celebrity" designer. It was a smart move on the part of the owners, it means a REAL commitment to keeping the house and its vision alive... consider the other messy houses that seem so lost right now. always in a state of flux, rudderless, captainless with the ever revolving door of "it" designers at the helm....

Anonymous said...

well said.

everyday a floor show said...

brilliant ..clothes and comments...STAY INSPIRED!

Laura Hunter-Thomas said...

I completely agree - Ms Burton has really stepped up to the plate and done the impossible. I honestly don't think any McQueen fan would be disappointed with her continuation on his legendary vision. Of course it helps that she spent 14 years working alongside him, but having said that, I could have spent 14 years with Monet and still be entirely useless! She really is phenomenal and I hope that her work brings her great personal recognition - which she entirely deserves - as well as the due credit to the McQueen line.

Also, just wanted to say that I love this blog! Following and can't wait to see more.

Laura at theblogofobsessivecoolness.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

I just watched the short clip of the McQueen show on your blog and I've seen countless vid's of his previous shows. I will add that a twenty second viewing of anything is not sufficient to base a judgment but judge I will just the same.

While I am sure Barton is a talented technician, she is no McQueen if this exhibition is any indication. The fit was tragic. The scale impossible to find and a great many of these clothes looked more like costumes than couture.

What set McQueen apart was his genius at pushing the boundary of expectation with regard to fit. Even when they were no more than rags draped over a model, those rags fell in the most elegant sweep and transcended any impression of costume. McQueen mastered tailoring in a way that never lost sight that a body is indeed underneath it all. Much of what I just saw missed that point entirely.

Ms. Barton needs to find a way to take her time with McQueen and then transcend him if she has any hope of becoming like him. He would not expect or want her to mimic his efforts in order to carry forward his label. That would mock his genius and ruin his vision for the house he built.