“I came to terms with not fitting in a long time ago. I never really fitted in. I don’t want to fit in. And now people are buying into that.” -Alexander McQueen

Born on 17 March 1969 in Lewisham, London, to Scottishtaxi driver Ronaldand social science teacher Joyce, McQueen was the youngest of six children. While he reportedly grew up in a council flat, the McQueens had lived in a terraced house in Stratford since McQueen was less than a year old.He attended Carpenters Road Primary School, started making dresses for his three sisters at a young age, and announced his intention to become a fashion designer.

McQueen later attended Rokeby School and left aged 16 in 1985 with one O-level in art, going on to serve an apprenticeship with Savile Row tailors Anderson & Sheppard, before joining Gieves & Hawkes and, later, the theatrical costumiers Angels and Bermans. The skills he learned as an apprentice on Savile Row helped earn him a reputation in the fashion world as an expert in creating an impeccably tailored look.

 Alexander McQueen’s talent left us all breathless. Seeing his body of work is like walking through a dream or nightmare of sorts. McQueen was pure artistry. -Jennia Fredrique

 

“I never look at other people’s work. My mind has to be completely focused on my own illusions.”

“I want to empower women. I want people to be afraid of the women I dress.”

 

“Fashion should be a form of escapism, and not a form of imprisonment.” -Alexander McQueen

Want more? Here is the full documentary about Alexander’s rise to success and fame.
‘McQueen and I’ features the young designer’s struggles with drugs and very rare footage from his interviews and avant garde shows.