Synopses & Reviews
The first definitive biography of the iconic, notoriously private British fashion designer Alexander McQueen explores the connections between his dark work and even darker life.
When forty-year-old Alexander McQueen committed suicide in February 2010, a shocked world mourned the loss. McQueen had risen from humble beginnings as the son of an East London taxi driver to scale the heights of fame, fortune, and glamour. He designed clothes for the worlds most beautiful women and royalty, most famously the Duchess of Cambridge, who wore a McQueen dress on her wedding day. He created a multimillion-dollar luxury brand that became a favorite with celebrities including Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell.
But behind the confident facade and bad-boy image, lay a sensitive soul who struggled to survive in the ruthless world of fashion. As the pressures of work intensified, McQueen became increasingly dependent on the drugs that contributed to his tragic end. Meanwhile, in his private life, his failure to find lasting love in a string of boyfriends only added to his despair. And then there were the dark secrets that haunted his sleep…
A modern-day fairy tale infused with the darkness of a Greek tragedy, Alexander McQueen tells the complete sensational story, and includes never-before-seen photos. Those closest to the designer—his family, friends, and lovers—have spoken for the first time about the man they knew, a fragmented individual, a lost boy who battled to gain entry into a world that ultimately destroyed him.
“Theres blood beneath every layer of skin,” McQueen once said. Andrew Wilsons biography, filled with groundbreaking material, dispels myths, corrects inaccuracies, and offers new insights into McQueens private life and the source of his creative genius.
Review
[In] Andrew Wilson's magnificent biography...[Alexander McQueen] comes across as a modern-day Mozart, unpredictable, rebellious, kind, witty, clever, scatalogical, but always with the unique talent and creative genius shining through...bounds across the pages and is brought to life by extensive interviews with family and friends...McQueen has got in Wilson the biographer he deserves. The Independent (UK)
Review
“Presents a thorough and emotionally compelling exploration of the life, work, and inner demons of fashion designer Alexander McQueen....Wilson paints vivid portraits of McQueens family and friends....a fully realized representation of a complex and enigmatic artist.” Publishers Weekly
Review
“Wilson's compelling and heavily researched bio…has already been published to rave reviews in Britain.” Entertainment Weekly
About the Author
Andrew Wilson is an award-winning journalist and author. His work has appeared in a wide variety of publications including the andlt;Iandgt;Guardianandlt;/Iandgt;, the andlt;Iandgt;Washington Postandlt;/Iandgt;, the andlt;Iandgt;Daily Telegraphandlt;/Iandgt;, the andlt;Iandgt;Observerandlt;/Iandgt;, the andlt;Iandgt;Sunday Timesandlt;/Iandgt;, the andlt;Iandgt;Independent on Sundayandlt;/Iandgt;, the andlt;Iandgt;Daily Mailandlt;/Iandgt;, the andlt;Iandgt;New Statesmanandlt;/Iandgt;, the andlt;Iandgt;Evening Standardandlt;/Iandgt; magazine and the andlt;Iandgt;Smithsonianandlt;/Iandgt;.