McQueen: Alexander McQueen - Renegades of Fashion

ALEXANDER MCQUEEN One only needed to look at the nature of Alexander McQueen's work - the inherent violence and melancholy in every piece - to see there was a deep and permeable wound at the core of the young designer. He put everything into his work including it is said, "his dreams, nightmares and fears". The renegade of British Fashion, the late Alexander McQueen was more than a designer, he was and still remains a major figure in British culture, redefining the rule book with his youthful succession and a body of work that were more avant-garde forms of art than works of fashion. McQueen defied his East End beginnings, rising to the annals of fashion history by taking his place at the head of Givenchy at just 27 years of age. For years to come, his string of groundbreaking shows for both the French powerhouse and his own eponymous label, revealed the relentlessness of his imagination and an undeniable talent that took critics by surprise. From his first collection paid for in dole money all the way to his multi million dollar empire, it was clear people were interested in whatever he was selling, even if that was at times controversial. In February of 2010 the rebel designer would shock the world one final time, ending his longstanding battle with depression. Millions mourned the loss of his genius whilst those closest to him recalled the humble man behind the curtain. AUTHOR CHARLIE O'BRIEN A culture enthusiast with a deeply-held passion for the written word, Charlie O'Brien graduated from Griffith University with a Bachelors in Communication and the dedication to become a professional writer. Charlie worked in high fashion for over six years with esteemed international brands Ralph Lauren and Hugo Boss, making him the perfect fit for the fast-paced world of couture literature. He prefers the substance of timeless style over fleeting fashion trends and firmly believes all men look better in suits.When not writing about fashion Charlie can be found indulging his love of cinema, music and an eternal quest to find the greatest sandwich in the world. His most recent masterpiece involved beef cheeks, Swiss cheese and pesto on toasted sourdough.