fashion legend
Who was Alexander McQueen, when did he die and which famous dresses did he design?
ALEXANDER McQueen was one of the most influential designers to have ever lived.
His outstanding contributions to fashion earned him four British Designer of the Year Awards and the CFDA's International Designer of the Year Award in 2003.
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Who was Alexander McQueen?
Lee Alexander McQueen was born in London on March 17, 1969.
His father was taxi driver Ronald and his mum was a social science teacher, Joyce.
He was the youngest of six kids.
Alexander left school with one O-level in art and went on to complete a tailoring course at Newham College.
He then got an apprenticeship at Anderson & Sheppard on Savile Row before going on to work at Gieves & Hawkes.
He attended the Rosetta Art Centre before going on to study an MA at Central St Martins, graduating in 1992.
Alexander was appointed chief designer at Givenchy in 1996, where he toned down his designs but still managed to make an impact.
The designer featured double amputee Aimee Mullins in his autumn/winter 1998 show with intricately carved prosthetic legs.
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He left Givenchy in 2001, setting up his own Alexander McQueen label.
McQueen sold a 51% stake of his own label to Gucci the same year.
He was once dubbed "the hooligan of English fashion" due to his rebellious nature.
When did Alexander McQueen die?
McQueen died on February 11, 2010, in London.
He was found in the morning by his housekeeper at his home in Green Street, Mayfair.
His death came only a few days after his mother had passed away.
Friends of the designer claimed he was "doing a lot of drugs and was very unhappy".
He left a note saying: "Look after my dogs, sorry, I love you, Lee".
Westminster Coroner's Court found that his death was due to asphyxiation and hanging.
Who was Alexander McQueen's partner George Forsyth?
McQueen was openly gay, coming out to his family at the age of 18.
In 2000 he had a marriage ceremony with his partner George Forsyth on a yacht in Ibiza.
The union was not officially recognised as same-sex marriage was not legal in Spain at the time.
Forsyth and McQueen separated a year after the ceremony but stayed close friends.
Forsyth died a few months after Alexander when he overdosed on the painkillers that were prescribed to him.
The coroner at George’s inquest ruled his death was accidental.
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Who did Alexander McQueen leave his money to?
According to documents, McQueen's fortune amounted to just over £16million.
He left £250,000 to each of his three sisters and two brothers, Tony and Michael.
Four charities, including The Terence Higgins Trust, Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, the London Buddhist Centre, and Blue Cross, were each granted £100,000.
He also left £50,000 to his household staff, godson, and each of his nieces and nephews.
Is Alexander McQueen still a brand and who owns it now?
After his passing, Sarah Burton served as creative director at Alexander McQueen from 2010 until 2023.
As of April 2024, the creative director is Seán McGirr.
Alexander McQueen chief executive Gianfilippo Testa said in a statement: “With his experience, personality and creative energy, he will bring a powerful creative language to Alexander McQueen while building on its unique heritage."
His final collection was a battle between dark and light
Anna Wintour
Where was Alexander McQueen buried?
McQueen’s ashes were buried at Kilmuir, on the Isle of Skye in Scotland.
His family said in a statement: "Lee cherished the times that he was able to spend on the Isle of Skye – he enjoyed the beauty, peace and tranquillity.
";It was Lee’s final request that his ashes should be buried at Kilmuir."
It added: “The McQueen family would like to make a special acknowledgement to Isabella MacDonald and her family of Kinloch Lodge Hotel, whose support at this sad time was of immense help in making it possible for them to carry out Lee’s wishes."
Who attended Alexander McQueen's funeral?
McQueen's funeral took place in St Paul's Cathedral in London.
The service was for family and close friends, including Daphne Guinness, Kate Moss, Stella McCartney and Naomi Campbell.
Also in attendance were McQueen's father Ronald and five siblings.
His mother Joyce died on February 2, 2010, nine days before her son's suicide.
Anna Wintour, editor-in-chief of American Vogue, paid tribute to "a complex and gifted young man" who grew up not far from the cathedral.
She said: "As a child he loved nothing more than sitting on the roof top and watching birds fly by.
"His final collection was a battle between dark and light.
"His was an 18-year career of harnessing his dreams and demons."
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Who are Alexander McQueen's siblings?
Alexander had five brothers and sisters.
Janet, his oldest sibling, was 15 years his senior.
She has been very vocal in the press about her upset since the death of her younger brother.
Janet revealed that Alexander witnessed her being beaten by her husband and was sexually abused himself by the same man.
She told The Times in 2015 that she was not aware of the abuse until much later.
She said: "“The day I was told I was shell-shocked. Can you imagine leading a life for so many years and then finding out something as bad as that? You just can’t grasp it at first.
"Of course I felt guilt. Who wouldn’t?”
He also has another two sisters who are less keen on publicity. Alexander also had two older brothers, Michael and Tony.
What famous dresses did he design?
McQueen had many iconic designs.
His creativity and eye for bold designs made him legendary within fashion and his designs are still an inspiration to others to this day.
Among some of his recognisable designs is the tartan dress he made for actress Sarah Jessica Parker for the Met Gala.
He also experimented with unique materials like the razor clam shell encrusted dress from spring/summer 2001.
And the painful-looking Armadillo boot from his spring/summer 2010 line.
These were worn by Lady Gaga along with a show-stopping gown, with both singer and fashion designer seemingly made for each other.
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If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:
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