Feather and Fur Reigned Supreme at Alexander McQueen

If there was one takeaway from the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty" exhibit, aside from a rough estimate of exactly how many people can pack themselves onto the Met’s steps, it’s that McQueen’s right-hand woman-cum-creative director Sarah Burton has her work cut out for her to keep the label on the must-see list. While it is not that hard to stay on the scene after you’ve designed Kate Middleton’s wedding dress, it is apparent from Alexander McQueen’s fall 2012 ready-to-wear show that Burton also shares her late mentor’s sense of dark, dramatic flair.

According to the McQueen show, “ready-to-wear” and “couture” aren’t mutually exclusive. Voluminous ruffled furs and feathers capped with exaggerated bell sleeves can now easily transition from the runway to retail. Models walked the fine line between très chic and Koosh ball in ultra-layered looks, which were adorably tapered at the waist with metallic silver bets shaped into flowers and bows. Each look varied only subtly from the one before it, allowing those in the audience to pay extra attention to detail — a peplum skirt here, an off-the-shoulder sleeve there. With every model remaining anonymous in blonde wigs and futuristic, visor-like shades, all eyes were on the clothes, as if you could look away from those gorgeously textured designs. The Royal Wedding may be over, but Alexander McQueen is definitely keeping the fairy tale alive.

Text Kara Solarz
Image Style.com

Sarah Burton Keeps McQueen's Collection Alive

From the late legacy of Alexander McQueen came Sarah Burton to help his ultimate brand live on forever, and she has done exactly that. In Sarah’s new pre-fall line for Alexander McQueen, she took hues of black, red, green, purple, and classic white and black to drawn inspiration for this wearable line.

Flipping through the lookbook of this year's stunning pieces, it was hard to find a favorite; they are all exquisite in their own way. Burton has come up with high-necked, full-sleeved Victorian confections in black mousseline that she says has brought in the spirit of Charles Frederick Worth (fashion’s first couturier).

One thing that most critics and fans alike are buzzing about is that this line is a great example of the museum-worthy pieces that contain the legend of the late McQueen.The strapless, flared cocktail dress in pleated smocked velvet is in shades of green so dark they seem to drain the light straight from the runway. Another favorite is the caped black emerald dress veiled in lace that had different angles of beauty.

Burton kept some pieces on the simpler side, like cropped pants with white poplin shirts, peasants blouses, and jackets inspirited by menswear. Sarah Burton has explained that she will always want to keep the McQueen drama, but with a new fresh outlook on the pieces. This line was remarkably genius, keeping everyone at the runway show on their toes.

Text Jordan Bossman 
Sources Alexander McQueen, WWD

Sarah Burton: A Dream For Alexander McQueen

Though Alexander McQueen may no longer be with us physically, the designer's line still lives on, and quite gracefully I might add, through the work of Sara Burton. This has been endlessly written about due to how quickly she designed Kate Middleton's dress for the Royal Wedding, and yes she did a spectacular job. However, that dress is not her only masterpiece. If you view her latest collection through runway shows or through the site www.alexandermcqueen.com, you'll realize her other pieces are just as amazing.

Alexander McQueen was known for his out of-the-box designs, unique craftsmanship and shapes most have never seen before. Burton is slightly more simple. Her shapes are not quite as unique, though she adds that special touch that is unlike anyone else. Whether that be through the pattern of the fabric or the texture or accessory. McQueen's designs were the type a fashion connoisseur could wear as soon as the piece was created, but never again in their lifetime. Burton's designs are more timeless and elegant. I am definitely not putting down McQueen in any way. He was an absolute genius and there will never be any other designer quite like him to walk this earth. Lady Gaga was his ideal muse. As a person with a more simplistic style, Burton is also a genius. She understands a woman's curves and knows just how to accentuate prominent features on the body such as the shoulders, the collar bone, the waste line, and more.

Text Alexandra Faye

Sarah Burton Does McQueen Proud

If you were impressed with Sarah Burton's work for the SS '11 Alexander McQueen collection, then prepare to have your breath taken away because the FW collection is absolutely brilliant!

Many people were unsure that Sarah Burton would be able to fill the very large shoes of the late Mr.McQueen. However, she won over the critics hearts with her debut collection for the brand with her SS '11 collection. Now, it is time for F/W and Burton has created a line so exceptionally beautiful that I think Alexander MQueen is looking down on her with a huge smile.

McQueen Lives On

Once a legendary designer passes away, speculators always question whether the aesthetic will ever live up to its namesake. As a result, one can only assume the pressures felt by Alexander McQueen's creative director, Sarah Burton, as she displayed the Spring 2011 collection this week in Paris. After the late Alexander McQueen committed suicide in February, whispers surfaced on how the design house was going to survive. No one has McQueen's style, thought process, or how to make the world stop and wonder at his well-known designs. As hard as it is to live up to a legend, Burton put those doubters to rest as the collection left myself (and everyone in the fashion world) speechless. Burton kept the avant-garde beauty while softening the outfits with a whimsical element of her own. The collection featured long feathered gowns, hand-painted leather butterfly dresses, intricate gold detail on the accessories, and basket woven hair. My favorite outfit was the white halter dress with the golden leaf belt and gray faded print on the hem. The dress was almost hypnotic - it moved with the model while having great detail, style and wearable quality. Fashion Director of the Daily Telegraph, Hilary Alexander tweeted: "Sensational collection...Raffia , leather, feathers tailcoats, poppy prints. Awesome. Legacy lives on." It's peaceful to know that McQueen's design house lives on through Burton. Now, the future of the fashion world will continue to be stunned, fascinated, and taken back by any collection the design house of Alexander McQueen creates.

Text Jessica Moy

The Revival of a Legend

After the tragic and unexpected loss of Alexander McQueen, one of the most creative and esteemed designers in the fashion industry, many believed that his essence was lost as well. However, after a glimpse of Sarah Burton’s creations for the Alexander McQueen pre-spring 2011 collection, I think that there should be a lot more hope left in all of us. Burton has done a fantastic job of taking McQueen’s signature style (dark glamour with a focus on structure) and giving it her own, more whimsical twist. Inspired by Hans Bellmer’s dolls and samurai warriors, this collection, as explained by Burton, attempts to “juxtapose the pale and the delicate with the bold and armorial. It’s about a highly structured torso that gives way to a more fluid silhouette or drop waists that lead to a finned trouser to skirt.” This vision comes across strikingly well through both the structure and the fabric of each piece. Burton perfectly captures McQueen’s classic tension between the structure and flow of clothing, while attempting to incorporate lightness and femininity. The contrast between pieces such as the armored bodysuit and the nude lace dress works magically, as it showcases an effortless mixture of each designer’s point of view. The pieces in this collection can be worn to events all across the spectrum (the blood-red gown to a Hollywood event, the structured jacket to the office), which makes it so much more marketable than previous collections have been. I am personally very impressed with the collection, and am especially impressed with Sarah Burton’s execution of her vision. She has done an amazing job of subtly weaving her own signature style into a brand that fashion icon Alexander McQueen had so strongly established before his sudden departure. I can’t wait to see what she does next! To view the entire collection, click here.



By Ali Antonucci