32 Alexander McQueen Facts: Birth, Lifestyle, And Death!

A few names immediately come to mind when it comes to fashion designers, and Alexander McQueen is one of them; find exciting facts about McQueen, head designer of brand McQueen and four-time winner of the designer of the year.

Alexander McQueen was a brilliant chief designer who pushed the boundaries of the fashion world and created some truly unique pieces. He was a fashion icon and a master of his craft. 

McQueen was a master of the craft in fashion design, and his clothing was worn by celebrities and everyday people alike. Unfortunately, McQueen committed suicide in 2010. In this facts article, read some interesting facts about the life and death of McQueen.

Early Life Of Alexander McQueen

Alexander McQueen was a British fashion designer and couturier known for pushing fashion limits and presenting fashion shows that would surprise viewers. Know his early life from birth to dreams.

• Lee Alexander McQueen, commonly known as Alexander McQueen, was born on March 17, 1969, in Lewisham, London, England, to Ronald and Joyce. His parents were a working-class family who lived in public housing in the London Lewisham district.
• Alexander McQueen's father was a taxi driver, and his mother was a social science teacher. He has five elder siblings.
• On February 11, 2010, McQueen took his own life at his London home, Mayfair apartments. He was just 40 years old. McQueen's death came as a shock to the fashion world, and tributes poured in from all over the globe.

Education Of Alexander McQueen

McQueen worked hard to learn the trade of tailoring, and eventually, he became one of the most sought-after designers in the world. He worked for some of the biggest names in fashion before launching his own label. Alexander McQueen quickly gained a reputation for pushing the boundaries of fashion. Learn his journey.

• Alexander McQueen began drawing when he was three years old, and he dreamt of becoming a designer in his primary school.
• Alexander attended 'Carpernter's Road Primary School' and 'Rokeby School.'
• In 1985, McQueen left high school and began working as an apprentice with Savile Row tailors. He worked with Savile Row at 'Anderson and Sheppard.'
• After moving from Savile Row, McQueen also worked for 'Gieves and Hawkes,' making stage costumes for popular London fashion shows.
• At the age of 21, he got hired as an assistant designer in Italy by Romeo Gigli.
• After moving from Romeo Gigli in 1994, McQueen went to London to attend Rosetta Art Centre and pursued fashion schooling, a master's degree program from Central Saint Martins College, London. It is considered the turning point in his life as a designer.

Accomplishments Of Alexander Mcqueen

In his childhood, McQueen used to design his elder sister's dress and dreamt of becoming a designer one day. After becoming a famous designer, his designs are represented with elements like tradition, modernity, fragility, strength, fluidity, and severity. He won several British fashion awards in his fashion career. Learn the achievements of this English fashion designer.

• McQueen has international fame with boutiques all around the world, including London, Los Angeles, New York, Milan, and Las Vegas.
• McQueen's trademark style earned him a loyal following among celebrities. Celebrities who have donned McQueen's attires are Prince Charles, David Bowie, Nicole Kidman, Sarah J Parker, Rihanna, and Penelope Cruz.
• He was the head designer at Givenchy from 1996 to 2001, succeeding John Galliano. Louis Vuitton owned Givenchy, where McQueen launched his own menswear line. After Givenchy, McQueen focused on his own label.
• In 2001, McQueen made his debut with his own label at 'Dane of the Twisted Bull Collection in Paris.'
• Alexander McQueen's most popular design even now is the McQueen skull scarf. It was made available in the fashion market in 2003.
• Some of the popular spring-summer fashion shows by McQueen are 'Plato's Atlantis, 2010,' 'It's a Jungle Out There, 1997,' 'No. 13, 1999,' 'Voss, 2001,' and 'Highland Rape, 1995.'
• The collection provoked some scandals in 2001 when Gucci group got 51% of Alexander McQueen's brand share and made him their Creative Director. The brand was named McQueen, and Gucci became his new partner.
• Later, McQueen launched his second brand 'McQ' and perfume brand 'My Queen.' McQueen collaborated with top brands like Puma, Chivas Regal, and Samsonite. Besides, he also became the first designer to get involved in the MAC cosmetics promotional activities.
• McQueen's promotional collections for MAC cosmetics got inspired by the actress Elizabeth Taylor for her role as Cleopatra.
• In collaboration with Puma, Alexander McQueen created a special shoe brand for trainers in 2005, and in 2006, he also launched McQ's lower-priced shoe line for men and women.
• McQueen was among the youngest designers to win the 'British Fashion Designer of the Year' award in 1996, 1997, 2001, and 2003. 
• In 2003, Alexander McQueen received 'Commander of the Order of the British Empire' from the Queen. He was nominated by 'The Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA).
• In 2003, McQueen won 'CFDA Award' for 'Best International Designer,' and in 2004 British Fashion Council named him for the 'Men's Wear Designer of the Year Award.'
• By late 2006, the McQueen fashion industry brand earned 25 cities. It includes New York City, London, Paris, Milan, Moscow, Boston, Seoul, and Tokyo.

Personal Life Of Alexander McQueen

McQueen was known for his eccentric and controversial designs. He often incorporated themes of death and decay into his collections. Now that we have learned about the accomplishments of McQueen let's learn about his personal life.

• McQueen worked various jobs before being accepted into Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design in 1992.
• After graduation, McQueen worked for a number of fashion houses, including Givenchy and Bellville Sassoon.
• In 1996, he launched his own label, Alexander McQueen.
• McQueen was a keen scuba diver, where he also got his inspiration for new collections. McQueen's Maldives 2010 spring collection fashion show was his personal favorite, as his new iconic Armadillo heels made his first debut.
• Alexander McQueen was openly gay and married his partner George Forsyth. George Forsyth is a documentary filmmaker in Ibiza. The couple got married in 2000, and they split a year later.
• After his death on February 11, 2010, Sarah Burton became the McQueen business chief designer.
• McQueen's funeral took place at St. Paul Church, located at Knightsbridge, West London, on February 25, 2010.
• McQueen had a net worth of $30 million, and he left part of his money to charity and his pet after his death. He left $55461.85 (50,000 Euro) for his pets and $110923.70 (100,000 Euro) for each charity, 'Battersea Dogs and Cats Homes, South London' and 'Blue Cross Animals Welfare Charity, Burford, Oxfordshire.' 
• After Alexander McQueen's death, Lady Gaga dedicated a song, 'Fashion of His Love,' released as a special edition of her 'Born This Way' music video album.

FAQs

What was Alexander McQueen's real name?

A: McQueen, a British designer, was born Lee Alexander McQueen in London, England, on March 17, 1969.

How did Alexander McQueen die?

A: Alexander McQueen, the British designer, was died on February 11, 2010, when he was 40 years old. He took his own life in his Mayfair apartment located in London.

What is Alexander McQueen known for?

A: Alexander was a high-profile fashion designer, well-recognized for his designs, precise tailoring, and catwalk shows.

How old was Alexander McQueen when he died?

A: McQueen was 40 years old when he took his own life in his London apartment.

Where was Alexander McQueen born?

A: Lee Alexander McQueen was born on March 17, 1960, in London Lewisham district to a working-class family who lived in public housing.

Who inspired Alexander McQueen?

A: McQueen was inspired by global influences like China, India, Africa, Turkey, and Japan. Japan was the most stylistically and thematically significant influence on his design thirst. Specifically, the Japanese garment, Kimono, was endlessly reconfigured in his collections.

What fabrics did Alexander McQueen use?

A: Iconic chiffon, skills, and tweed are some of the fabrics McQueen used in hundreds of collections during his tenure at the brand.

What happened to Alexander McQueen?

A: McQueen was found dead at his apartment on February 11, 2010. On February 17, 2010, Westminster Coroner court declared the cause of death was asphyxiation and hanging. Later on April 28, 2010, it was officially announced that McQueen's death was suicide.

Why are Alexander McQueen shoes so expensive?

A: Alexander McQueen sneakers are expensive as they are 100% made in Italy and crafted using luxurious materials that are smooth, rubber, and supple calfskin.

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