Alexander McQueen

Velvet Loafer

Always the king of controversy, Alexander McQueen was known for runways exotic in clothing, models, and set decor. At a young age, McQueen cut his teeth on Savile Row, where he apprenticed with tailors Anderson & Sheppard and worked for Gieves & Hawkes. He later worked with Koji Tatsuno and Italy's Romeo Gigli before returning to London in 1994 to receive his masters from Central Saint Martins. Style icon Isabella Blow bought McQueen's entire graduation collection, marking the launch of his fashion career. McQueen received several awards and accolades, including the British Designer of the Year, which he won four times, the CBE, and was named International Designer of the Year by the CFDA in 2003. In addition to designing his own line, McQueen also served as head designer for Givenchy and collaborated with PUMA and MAC Cosmetics. McQueen's mainline features eccentric prints, avid use of color, innovative garment structure, and fan list that includes Daphne Guinness, Lady Gaga, and Bjork.