Alexander McQueen...Women's Spring/Summer 2013

What would McQueen Do?

Beautifully filmed with the sounds of crashing waves this is a great short film call "Diving for McQueen." Cathy Horyn, The New York Times fashion critic got a behind the scenes look at the Alexander McQueen Spring/Summer 2012 collection. Film in Paris at the label’s atelier, Horyn is given a change to explore the McQueen world with Creative Director Sarah Burton.

So eloquently she explains "A McQueen girl-she has to feel powerful, she's never a girlie girl, she's always a woman" and the direction for the marine-inspired gowns. Burton has truly upheld the aesthetic for this groundbreaking and provocative label, pushing forward, and always focusing on the technique and craft.

Daphne Guinness- Contra Mundum.......

Could Daphne Guinness be anymore fascinating....??? Documentary filmmaker Brennan Stasiewicz got to peek inside Guinness’ posh Fifth Avenue apartment and capture intimate moments as she was preparing for her Met Gala performance piece back in May. "Daphne’s Window," is a beautifully narrated short film where she both refers to herself as “completely normal” and ummmm “shy!” (Two characteristics I would definitely not have called her. She must have Michael Jackson syndrome....) because those are traits not commonly associated with people wearing lilac feathered couture gowns designed by McQueen’s Sarah Burton, and stand on display in the storefront window of Barneys New York flagship store..... But I guess Daphne Guinness heiress of the Guinness fortune has always been a bit of an enigma!

Modestly wearing Contra Mundum, (Daphne’s 1.76 million dollar platinum and diamond glove) by jeweller Shaun Leane she so eloquently described the way in which fashion can be used as armor to make someone who is sort of tiny and feeble, a little more frightening. Truly a fashion Icon, this video had be captivated since the start of the ticking metronome and sound of her voice.... I loved the quote, "When I start doing something visual it's because I can't express it in words!" (true words I live by!)

"I don't think about myself in the world... Me is nothing, I'm just someone living in 2011! I just am... What I am!" -Daphne Guinness

Sarah Burton for McQueen....

Sarah Burton, McQueen’s second in command, has been named the brand’s new creative director.

Burton joined McQueen in 1996, just a year before her graduation from Central St. Martins. In 2000, she was named head of womenswear design, and most recently she was credited with finishing McQueen’s AW10 collection after his suicide. Burton told Vogue UK, “The creation of modern, beautifully crafted clothes was at the heart of Lee’s vision. I intend to stay true to his legacy.” When Gucci Group announced plans to continue the Alexander McQueen label after Lee’s death, many were not pleased. Rumors swirled about McQueen’s replacement, often citing Gareth Pugh as an obvious choice. Others wanted the brand to lay dormant for some years, continuing accessories and McQ lines until enough time had passed to bring on another superstar designer.

But we’re happiest with this choice. Ms. Burton has spent nearly 16 years working at McQueen, and based on the AW10 collection, we’re confident that she has what it takes to continue McQueen’s legacy and contribute new concepts. All we can do now is wait. Gucci Group did not say when Burton’s first collection would debut. We’re hoping for March 2011, but as of now, we’ll just have to wait and see.