Savage Beauty

There's no way back for me now. I'm going to take you on a journey you've never dreamed were possible..." - Alexander McQueen

If you haven't already, you absolutely MUST check out the McQueen exhibit at the Met. Whether you are a big fan or never really cared for his eccentricity, there's something in this exhibit for everyone.

Organized by the Costume Institute, it celebrates the late Alexander McQueen's undeniable contribution to fashion. With about 100 assembles and seventy accessories from his nineteen year career, this exhibit highlights some of McQueen's work from his Central Saint Martins postgraduate collection of 1992 to his final presentation which took place after his death in February 2010.

I wasn't really sure what to expect walking in. I'll admit, I was never the biggest McQueen fan but that completely changed as I walked out of the museum. The exhibit is divided into several sections that take you right into the mind of this creative genius: The Romantic Mind; Romantic Gothic and Cabinets of Curiosities; Romantic Nationalism; Romantic Exoticism; Romantic Primitivism; and Romantic Naturalism. Each area shows a different side of McQueen.

Snapshots of a few rooms:

Romantic Nationalism

Romantic Exoticism 

Romantic Naturalism

The two extremes were the  Romantic Gothic and Romantic Naturalism rooms.

Romantic Gothic and Cabinets of Curiosities:

"There is a hidden fragility of romance. Like the story of Othello" - Alexander McQueen

This part of the exhibit dealt with the dark side of personality with such pieces as a leather weaved dress from his time at Givency Haute Couture, to black silk and taffeta pieces embroidered with black jet beads. 

Although dark, I loved this room for the exquisite detailing and use of unconventional materials. This piece is made with black duck feathers from his Horn of Plenty Fall collection

Romantic Naturalism:

"I've always loved the mechanism of nature and to a greater or lesser extent my work is always informed by that" - Alexander McQueen

This room was just breathtaking! An ode to the wonders of nature, it highlighted the designer's softer, more down to earth side. I especially loved the textures and fabrics captured in this room. Very whimsical, very romantic.

Widows of Culloden Fall '06

Spring '07 Sarabande dress - nude silk organza embroidered with silk and fresh flowers.

Accessories:

"It's the ugly things I notice more, because other people tend to ignore the ugly things" - Alexander McQueen.

A whole room is dedicated to accessories, many of which were designed by Philip Treacy. If you watched the royal wedding, you experienced the work of this talented hat designer. The detailing in his headwear is awe-inspiring. I am too in love with Mr. Treacy who sees no boundaries when it comes to design.

My top two pieces from the exhibit:

Chinese Garden Hat Spring '05. Yup! This is a hat!

Swarovski Butterfly Hat Spring '08

If you've ever seen a McQueen show, you can testify that displaying static pieces does not capture the genius of that man. So of course, the exhibit at the Met included a few videos from some of his shows.

A still from his Spring '99 show in which the model, dressed in white cotton muslin, rotated on a platform while being spray painted by machine guns to create an organic print.

A beautiful exhibit, it ends with a stunning presentation, which will surely leave you breathless and wanting more. You can't see it all in one visit so plan on at least two trips to the Met before the exhibit ends on August 7th. Make sure to go in the mornings or, take a long lunch and check it out during the week to avoid a crowd.

Simply.Inspiring...