Alexander McQueen Savage Beauty

"I find beauty in the grotesque, like most artists. I have to force people to look at things." Published in conjunction with an exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty offers a stunning retrospective of the late designer's career, showcasing garments just as likely to make your skin crawl as they are to make you swoon. True to McQueen's aesthetic, Savage Beauty is at once visually arresting, well-constructed, and unsettling (note: those aren't mannequins), making it a must-have for those already familiar with McQueen's work, and a captivating introduction for the rest. Recommended By Tove H., Powells.com

Lee Alexander McQueen (1969and#150;2010), whose design combined visionary aesthetics, emotional power, and extraordinary craft, was known for staging provocative shows that were as much performances as venues to display his couture creations. Charged with energy, informed by history and culture, and filled with fresh concepts, McQueenand#8217;s shows have become legends not only of fashion but also of art. Anne Deniau was the only photographer allowed backstage by McQueen for 13 years, beginning in September 1997 and ending with the final show in March 2010. She captured McQueen working with his close circle of collaboratorsand#151;including designer Sarah Burton, milliner Philip Treacy, jewelry designer Shaun Leane, and model Kate Mossand#151;to create his meticulously produced spectacles. Her book offers an inspiring homage, through the art of photography, to the work of a great artist.

Praise for Love Looks Not With the Eyes: Thirteen Years With Lee Alexander McQueen:

The pictures are evocative of the torture, the toughness and, most of all, the tenderness of Mr. McQueen.and#8221; and#151;New York Times

and#147;Deniauand#8217;s close connection to McQueen and her appreciation for his formidable talent is like many of the pieces he created: breathtaking.and#8221; and#151;San Francisco Chronicle

and#147;Thekinetic color and black-and-white photographs document the fantastical,shocking spectacle of a McQueen show in action: hairdos trussed up with birdsof prey; hubcaps strapped to foreheads; faces enhanced by extraterrestrialcheek prostheses. The images are sensual, spooky, and whimsical, playing up thedrama of McQueenand#8217;s vision; like one of the designerand#8217;s fabulous garments, thephotographs transform fashion into high art. The book is both an homage and amemorial; this celebration of McQueenand#8217;s vast, unique talent is also a eulogyfor his tragic loss.and#8221; and#151; and#147;Haute couture has a reputation for spectacle, but Anne Deniauand#8217;s photographs remind us that itand#8217;s also the last bastion of craftsmanship in fashionand#151;or it was, as practiced by designer Alexander McQueen (1969and#150;2010).and#8221; and#151;Wall Street Journal

and#147;Lush, previously unpublished backstage photographs from many of the late designerand#8217;s provocative fashion shows.and#8221;and#151;The Los Angeles Times

and#147;The kinetic color and black-and-white photographs document the fantastical, shocking spectacle of a McQueen show in action: hairdos trussed up with birds of prey; hubcaps strapped to foreheads; faces enhanced by extraterrestrial cheek prostheses. The images are sensual, spooky, and whimsical, playing up the drama of McQueenand#8217;s vision; like one of the designerand#8217;s fabulous garments, the photographs transform fashion into high art. The book is both an homage and a memorial; this celebration of McQueenand#8217;s vast, unique talent is also a eulogy for his tragic loss.and#8221; and#151;Publishers Weekly

and#147;Love Looks Not with the Eyes document[s] the intense work and equally intense emotions that played out behind the scenes of McQueenand#8217;s poetic, passionate, and provocative shows. . . . The intimacy is evident in the pictures.and#8221; and#151;Vogue

and#147;The haunting images offer a rarefied glimpse into the designerand#8217;s inner world.and#8221; and#151;Harperand#8217;s Bazaar

and#147;Deniau, in the process of documenting 26 McQueen presentations, captured images which, too, transcend photographyand#151;matching the decadent and grand world created by the hands of McQueen.and#8221; and#151;Time.com

and#147;Haute couture has a reputation for spectacle, but Anne Deniauand#8217;s photographs remind us that itand#8217;s also the last bastion of craftsmanship in fashionand#151;or it was, as practiced by designer Alexander McQueen (1969and#150;2010).and#8221; and#151;Wall Street Journal

and#160;

and#8220;This book and#8230; helps illuminate McQueen's artistic process. Recommended for readers with an interest in contemporary fashion.and#8221; and#8212;Library Journal

“Excellent catalogue” —The Huffington Post Library Journal

and#8220;For those still wanting to view McQueen's fashion creations, the book shines on.and#8221; and#8212;Lonny Magazine

and#8220; The catalogand#8212;with its gorgeous images places alongside provocative, incisive, and often puzzling conversational quotes from the designer himselfand#8212;makes for an interesting way to get a peek at the show for those of us who wonand#8217;t be lucky enough to make it to New York this summer.and#8221;and#8212;Creative Loafing

"[T]his book itself is a showstopper."—C. Donaldson, Choice Creative Loafing

and#8220;McQueenand#8217;s brilliance is celebrated in this sumptuous tome that accompanies the Costume Instituteand#8217;s spring retrospective. The hologram cover makes it a collectorand#8217;s item.and#8221;and#8212;Harperand#8217;s Bazaar

and#8220;and#8230;.the definitive reference of Lee Alexander McQueen.and#8221;and#8212;Dean Mayo Davies, I-D Magazine

and#8220;Many books will come dedicated to his genius, but Savage Beauty will remain a beacon.and#8221;and#8212;Janice Breen Burns, Sydney Morning Herald

and#8220;An authoritative and moving insight into the legacy of the British designer.and#8221;and#8212;Carola Long, The Financial Times (Christmas Books)

Winner of the 2012 San Francisco Book Festival award for Photography and Art. Carola Long - The Financial Times (Christmas Books) Most Outstanding Design category - Independent Publisher Book Award

Winner of the Awards for Excellence in 2011, as given by the Association of Art Museum Carola Long - The Financial Times (Christmas Books) Most Outstanding Design Award - Independent Publisher

Finalist for the 2011 ForeWord Book of the Year Award in the Art category 2011 Award for Excellence - Association of Art Museum Curators (AAMC)

and#8220;Excellent catalogueand#8221; and#8212;The Huffington Post

"[T]his book itself is a showstopper."and#8212;C. Donaldson, Choice

andldquo;No need to wait for an occasion, this must-have gift yourself and everyone you know book is stunning and well . . . historically informative.andrdquo;

Alexander McQueen (1969-2010) was one of the most influential, imaginative, and inspirational designers at the turn of the millennium. His fashions both challenged and expanded the conventional parameters of clothing beyond utility to a compelling expression of culture, politics, and identity. Focusing on the most iconic and acclaimed designs of his prolific career, this stunning book examines McQueen's inimitable technical virtuosity and its subversion of traditional tailoring and dressmaking practices.  

The book also focuses on the highly sophisticated narrative structures found in McQueen's collections and in his astonishing and extravagant runway presentations, which suggested the most avant-garde installation and performance art. Intended as an assessment of Alexander McQueen's entire career, the book includes in-depth studies of six collections that illustrate and encapsulate thematic chapters as well as an interview with Sarah Burton, the new creative director of Alexander McQueen who had been the designer's right-hand design aide since 1996.

"An authoritative and moving insight into the legacy of the British designer."--Carola Long, Financial Times

"Excellent."--Huffington Post

"McQueen's brilliance is celebrated in this sumptuous tome."--Harper's Bazaar

Arguably the most influential, imaginative, and provocative designer of his generation, Alexander McQueen both challenged and expanded fashion conventions to express ideas about race, class, sexuality, religion, and the environment. Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty examines the full breadth of the designer's career, from the start of his fledgling label to the triumphs of his own world-renowned London house. It features his most iconic and radical designs, revealing how McQueen adapted and combined the fundamentals of Savile Row tailoring, the specialized techniques of haute couture, and technological innovation to achieve his distinctive aesthetic. It also focuses on the highly sophisticated narrative structures underpinning his collections and extravagant runway presentations, with their echoes of avant-garde installation and performance art.

Published to coincide with an exhibition at The Metropolitan Museum of Art organized by The Costume Institute, this stunning book includes a preface by Andrew Bolton; an introduction by Susannah Frankel; an interview by Tim Blanks with Sarah Burton, creative director of the house of Alexander McQueen; illuminating quotes from the designer himself; provocative and captivating new photography by renowned photographer S lve Sundsb ; and a lenticular cover by Gary James McQueen.

Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty celebrates the astounding creativity and originality of a designer who relentlessly questioned and confronted the requisites of fashion.

Celebrating the astounding creativity and originality of designer Alexander McQueen, who relentlessly questioned and confronted the requisites of fashion

"An authoritative and moving insight into the legacy of the British designer."--Carola Long, Financial Times

"McQueen's brilliance is celebrated in this sumptuous tome."--Harper's Bazaar

"Excellent."--Huffington Post

Arguably the most influential, imaginative, and provocative designer of his generation, Alexander McQueen both challenged and expanded fashion conventions to express ideas about race, class, sexuality, religion, and the environment. Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty examines the full breadth of the designer's career, from the start of his fledgling label to the triumphs of his own world-renowned London house. It features his most iconic and radical designs, revealing how McQueen adapted and combined the fundamentals of Savile Row tailoring, the specialized techniques of haute couture, and technological innovation to achieve his distinctive aesthetic. It also focuses on the highly sophisticated narrative structures underpinning his collections and extravagant runway presentations, with their echoes of avant-garde installation and performance art.

Published to coincide with an exhibition at The Metropolitan Museum of Art organized by The Costume Institute, this stunning book includes a preface by Andrew Bolton; an introduction by Susannah Frankel; an interview by Tim Blanks with Sarah Burton, creative director of the house of Alexander McQueen; illuminating quotes from the designer himself; provocative and captivating new photography by renowned photographer S lve Sundsb ; and a lenticular cover by Gary James McQueen.

"I never conformed to any sort of fashion ideal. My idea was always to show reality, even though I started at Savile Row and ended up at Givenchy in Paris; to depict the times I live in." and#8212;Alexander McQueen, Harper's Bazaar, September 2008

Arguably the most influential, imaginative, and provocative designer of his generation, Alexander McQueen both challenged and expanded fashion conventions to express ideas about race, class, sexuality, religion, and the environment. Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty examines the full breadth of the designerand#8217;s career, from the start of his fledgling label to the triumphs of his own world-renowned London house. It features his most iconic and radical designs, revealing how McQueen adapted and combined the fundamentals of Savile Row tailoring, the specialized techniques of haute couture, and technological innovation to achieve his distinctive aesthetic. It also focuses on the highly sophisticated narrative structures underpinning his collections and extravagant runway presentations, with their echoes of avant-garde installation and performance art.

Published to coincide with an exhibition at The Metropolitan Museum of Art organized by The Costume Institute, this stunning book includes a preface by Andrew Bolton; an introduction by Susannah Frankel; an interview by Tim Blanks with Sarah Burton, creative director of the house of Alexander McQueen; illuminating quotes from the designer himself; provocative and captivating new photography by renowned photographer Sand#248;lve Sundsband#248;; and a lenticular cover by Gary James McQueen.

Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty celebrates the astounding creativity and originality of a designer who relentlessly questioned and confronted the requisites of fashion.

The Metropolitan Museum of Artand#8217;s annual Costume Institute exhibition is the most spectacular event of its kind. With subjects that both reflect the zeitgeist and contribute to its creation, each exhibiandshy;tionand#8212;from 2005and#8217;s Chanel, to 2011and#8217;s Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty and 2013and#8217;s Punkand#8212;creates a provocative and engaging narrative attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors. The showand#8217;s opening-night gala, produced in collaboration with Vogue magazine and attended by the likes of Beyoncand#233;, George Clooney, and Hillary Clinton, is regularly referred to as the Party of the Year.

Covering the Costume Instituteand#8217;s history and highlighting exhibitions of the 21st century curated by Harold Koda and Andrew Bolton, this book offers insider access of the first order. Anchored by photoandshy;graphs from the exhibitions themselves in tandem with the Vogue fashion shoots they inspired, it also includes images of exhibited objects and party photos from the galas. Drawn from the extensive Vogue archives, the featured stories showcase the photographs of icons such as Annie Leibovitz, Mario Testino, Steven Meisel, and Craig McDean; the vision of legendary Vogue editors like Grace Coddington and Tonne Goodman; and the knowledge and wit of writers such as Hamish Bowles and Jonathan Van Meter.

A lavish exploration of the evocative and complex fashions inspired by Chinese culture.

For centuries, Chinaandrsquo;s export artsandmdash;jade, silks, porcelains, and, more recently, cinemaandmdash;have fueled Western fantasies of an exotic East and served as enduring sources of inspiration for fashion. This stunning publication explores the influence of Chinese aesthetics on designers, including Giorgio Armani, Christian Dior, Jean Paul Gaultier, Karl Lagerfeld, Ralph Lauren, Alexander McQueen, and Yves Saint Laurent. Drawing upon Chinese decorative arts, cinema, and costumeandmdash;notably imperial court robes, the close-fitting cheongsam, and the unisex Mao suitandmdash;their designs are fantastical pastiches of anachronistic motifs. As in the game of andldquo;telephone,andrdquo; the process of cultural translation transforms the source material into ingeniously original fashions that are products solely of the designersandrsquo; imaginations.

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In a similar way, contemporary Chinese film directors render fanciful, highly stylized evocations of various epochs in Chinaandrsquo;s historyandmdash;demonstrating that Chinaandrsquo;s imagery is equally seductive to artists in the East and further inspiring todayandrsquo;s designers. Juxtaposing modern fashions and film stills with their forebears in fine and decorative arts and historical dress, this book reveals the rich and ongoing creative dialogue between East and West, past and present.

This definitive publication on Alexander McQueen (1969andndash;2010) invites you into the creative mind and world of one of Britainandrsquo;s most brilliant, daring, and provocative designers, and the many themes and references that shaped his visionary fashion collections.

A true comprehensive study, this catalog is the first in-depth look at McQueen and explores key themes of the exhibitionandmdash;tailoring, gothic, primitivism, naturalism, and futurism. The book also features previously unseen material as well as groundbreaking essays and feature spreads by multiple authors and leading fashion commentators. This kaleidoscopic approach explores themes central to the designerandrsquo;s work and his collections, such as the psychology of fashion, natural history, the theatre and spectacle of his shows, and the key creative collaborators during McQueenandrsquo;s lifetime.

Alexander McQueen also offers an encyclopedic survey of McQueenandrsquo;s catwalk collections, illustrated with striking images by leading fashion photographers, and specially commissioned photographs that capture the breathtaking skill of his designs and awesome theatricality of his shows.

Hamish Bowles is the international editor at large for Vogue. Chloe Malle is the social editor of Vogue. Anna Wintour is the artistic director of Condandeacute; Nast and the editor in chief of Vogue. Thomas P. Campbell has been director and CEO of The Metropolitan Museum of Art since 2009.