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Lee Alexander McQueen: Mind, Mythos, Muse
McQueen’s iconic fashion juxtaposed with historic textiles and works of art, revealing the designer’s dynamic approach to storytelling One of the most significant contributors to fashion between 1990 and 2010, British designer Lee Alexander McQueen was both a conceptual and a technical virtuoso. His critically acclaimed collections synthesized his unique training in Savile Row tailoring, theatrical design and haute couture with a remarkable breadth and depth of encyclopedic and autobiographical references spanning time, geography, mediums and technology. McQueen’s singular viewpoint produced exquisitely constructed, thought-provoking, often subversive or allegorical fashion.
Taking a reflective look at McQueen’s artful design process, this book documents the designer’s diverse sources of inspiration by displaying McQueen’s imaginative fashions alongside related artworks. McQueen's encyclopedic references range from ancient Greece and Rome to Tibetan silk brocade patterns, 17th-century Dutch painting, the prints of Goya and the films of Stanley Kubrick. In each of these cases and beyond, examples of McQueen’s imaginative and extraordinary work are displayed alongside artworks from LACMA’s permanent collection. Spanning art from a multitude of mediums, eras and cultures, this publication provides a new and innovative assessment of McQueen’s work and highlights his mindful approach to storytelling and construction through fashion.
Lee Alexander McQueen (1969–2010) was one of the most important fashion designers at the turn of the 21st century. In 2011, following his death, the Costume Institute in New York organized an enormously successful retrospective of his work at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Taking a reflective look at McQueen’s artful design process, this book documents the designer’s diverse sources of inspiration by displaying McQueen’s imaginative fashions alongside related artworks. McQueen's encyclopedic references range from ancient Greece and Rome to Tibetan silk brocade patterns, 17th-century Dutch painting, the prints of Goya and the films of Stanley Kubrick. In each of these cases and beyond, examples of McQueen’s imaginative and extraordinary work are displayed alongside artworks from LACMA’s permanent collection. Spanning art from a multitude of mediums, eras and cultures, this publication provides a new and innovative assessment of McQueen’s work and highlights his mindful approach to storytelling and construction through fashion.
Lee Alexander McQueen (1969–2010) was one of the most important fashion designers at the turn of the 21st century. In 2011, following his death, the Costume Institute in New York organized an enormously successful retrospective of his work at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
- GenresFashion
175 pages, Hardcover
Published May 10, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 12, 2024
Unlike "Savage Beauty," which is more like a coffee table art book, this is a true exhibit catalog. I enjoyed seeing the exhibit through the book, and I liked how it presented the fashion alongside McQueen's actual and likely inspirations. (And kudos for the inclusion of the critically panned "Neptune" collection - the critics wanted their anticipated controversy and pouted when they didn't get it. I always liked it and respected McQueen for doing what the hell he wanted.) I was surprised and pleased to see it wasn't all strictly runway outfits too - some "normal people" clothes were in there, which I think is the essence of McQueen, as he thought of fashion as art for the masses. I will say that a lot of the writing was pretty dry. On the one hand, it felt very much like I was reading the little placards next to works in the museum. On the other hand, those placards can have some verve if you want. Overall though, this was a lovely catalog and almost as good as the exhibit (which I'm still mad I missed, lol).
July 14, 2023
Un peu biaisée dans ma note parce que j'adore les créations de McQueen (même si c'est une personne très "morally-grey", if you know what I mean)
Catalogue très bien fait, informations pertinentes, accessibles, et illustrations de qualité.
Catalogue très bien fait, informations pertinentes, accessibles, et illustrations de qualité.
April 30, 2023
I own a lot of books on Alexander McQueen, but none like this. It differs in exclusively featuring his fashions as objects worn by mannequins.
This kind of presentation appeals to me. I’m fact, I’d been looking for a book like this. However, to truly appreciate the couturier’s oeuvre, it’s necessary to see it in context. McQueen expressed his life and ideas through elaborate performance pieces. This requires photographs of runway models involved in imaginative spectacles.
The book begins with a short biography. Then, in full page pictures, it juxtaposes McQueen’s work with similar examples from the history of art and fashion. Closeups reveal a virtuoso workmanship and the book explains his various techniques.
The text gives concise information, much of which was new to me. It discusses the meanings behind his various shows, which range from the personal to the political, the subjective to the universal, death as well life. Films, history, economics, previous haute couture, and a wealth of other interests influenced McQueen. Critics have described him as both innovator and subversive.
I really enjoyed “Lee Alexander McQueen-Mind Mythos Muse”. But I leave you a caveat. To completely understand the greatness of this designer, I suggest you consult additional books so you can see snaps of his costumes in motion.
This kind of presentation appeals to me. I’m fact, I’d been looking for a book like this. However, to truly appreciate the couturier’s oeuvre, it’s necessary to see it in context. McQueen expressed his life and ideas through elaborate performance pieces. This requires photographs of runway models involved in imaginative spectacles.
The book begins with a short biography. Then, in full page pictures, it juxtaposes McQueen’s work with similar examples from the history of art and fashion. Closeups reveal a virtuoso workmanship and the book explains his various techniques.
The text gives concise information, much of which was new to me. It discusses the meanings behind his various shows, which range from the personal to the political, the subjective to the universal, death as well life. Films, history, economics, previous haute couture, and a wealth of other interests influenced McQueen. Critics have described him as both innovator and subversive.
I really enjoyed “Lee Alexander McQueen-Mind Mythos Muse”. But I leave you a caveat. To completely understand the greatness of this designer, I suggest you consult additional books so you can see snaps of his costumes in motion.
June 25, 2023
What a beautifully sumptuous book, detailing in exquisite photographs the creations of this talented individual. So glad my son (who saw the Melbourne exhibition) lent me this book.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews