The Final Collection: Medieval Romance
Alexander McQueen was first and foremost a troubled artist with an awe inspiring vision. He challenged nearly every convention modern fashion threw at him and turned out radical works that left critic’s tongue’s wagging. When he left this world in February 2010 he was mourned by not only the fashion community, but so many others that appreciated his work and what he had done for fashion since he began designing in the 80s.
In his final collection that was shown in March 2010, McQueen plays with the idea of the medieval romance. When Charlamagne became the Holy Roman Emperor in the 700s he sought to unite the east and the west. Although this lofty idea was never realized, the arts were still encouraged as well as the idea of bringing the rustic west out of the dark ages so that they could finally be able to tap into the opulence of the east. Traders brought new foods and wines, drugs, rugs, silk damask, spices, brocade, jewelry, and cotton muslin with them.
The fashion’s of the day were multi-layered tunics that were belted at hip level to expose the vibrant under tunic. Women were also extremely conservative due to the advent of Christianity and were constantly covering themselves with either veils or wrapping their heads in wipples. Tunics were also decorated with long hanging sleeve cuffs.
McQueen plays with this medieval idea throughout the collection with formfitting frocks, multi-layered tunics, and tunics cut at hip level. However he is also able to capture the amount of layering of fabric that took place in medieval times to preserve heat in drafty castles. However he circumvents his designs from looking to bulky by shortening hem lengths and by tailoring each piece so that they fit very closely to the body.
McQueen also wraps all of his models hair in wipple-like hair nets that evoke a medieval piety.
http://hautemacabre.com/2010/03/medieval-mcqueen-the-final-collection/
Survival of the Fashionist 