Alexander Mcqueen Obsession Bag
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2010s Italian Structured Shoulder Bags
Alexander McQueen for sale on 1stDibs
British fashion designer Lee Alexander McQueen, the original creative engine behind the Alexander McQueen label, was beloved for his expert tailoring and theatrical runway shows. After his suicide in 2010, fans left tributes to the man and his talents outside Alexander McQueen boutiques worldwide. Record-breaking crowds visited the posthumous retrospective of the designer’s work at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City and the Victoria and Albert in London.
The inspirations for vintage Alexander McQueen bags, dresses, jackets and other items came from many quarters — film, music, current events, history, his heritage and fashions of the past. The designer's runway presentations were not just displays of clothing but were personal expressions of the zeitgeist, often touching on our cultural anxieties and concerns. McQueen’s own thoughts and feelings about love, death, gender, genocide, colonialism, global warming and the extinction of species all appear in his pieces.
McQueen certainly shook up fashion; he was a born Rottweiler. His upbringing on a council estate in north London played a part, but his family was close and supportive, not dysfunctional. He was proud of his Scottish heritage: He was a defiant fashion warrior. His historical themes and shows — such as “Highland Rape,” 2002, which was inspired by England’s “rape of Scotland,” as McQueen called it — always invoked powerful reactions from his audience of fashion pros.
“What you see in the work is the person himself. And my heart is in my work,” McQueen told Harper’s Bazaar in 2007.
It is perhaps this heart, and the heart’s exposure, that drew the crowds and made McQueen's creations both popular and emotionally resonant. Because the work was personal and thus layered with feeling, the motifs — decorative embellishments and fabric choices — have meaning. In other words, in McQueen’s oeuvre, plaid is more than simply a pattern.
Find vintage Alexander McQueen fashion and accessories — including the designer's coveted bags and comfortable, stretchy jersey knit dresses and gowns — on 1stDibs.
Finding the Right Shoulder-bags for You
Ever since we’ve needed an accessory to carry our personal items when we’re on the go, shoulder bags have proven indispensable. Today, vintage and designer shoulder bags are such a treasured part of fashion history that they even get their own museum exhibitions. And while lovers of luxury handbags and purses are savvier now and have a wider range of shopping options, classics created by brands such as Louis Vuitton, Dior and Balenciaga still rule.
Prior to bags becoming an essential piece of any ensemble for any gender, women wore pockets strung on ribbons as garments that were separate from their gowns, accessible by openings in the fabric. Small handbags and handheld purses were developed before the accessory gained importance as functional and fashionable. Most had more in common with wallets than anything else.
While the bags of the 16th century warranted ornament, such as exteriors embroidered with silver-gilt thread and beads, it wasn’t until the late 18th century and early 19th century that the design and craft of bags had really broadened. Handheld purses were finished with details that were meant to garner attention, and bags were fitted with shoulder straps. A stylish shoulder bag meant that women could tote jewelry, cash and perhaps a decorative snuff box full of tobacco to an evening ball across town.
The early 1900s saw the introduction of gold and silver minaudières. The patenting of these compact bejeweled clutches has been attributed to revered French jewelry house Van Cleef & Arpels, and today they remain a fashion favorite. One of Judith Leiber’s innovative minaudières even earned a role in the movie Sex and the City.
A luxury shoulder bag is a work of art with a long, fascinating origin story, and entire brands and fashion lines have emerged around creating the perfect versions of shoulder bags and top-handle bags. For example, the iconic Hermès Kelly bag, which was popularized by actress Grace Kelly, is a widely coveted, collected and often faked entry from the handbag hall of fame. And while vintage Gucci tote bags have their own dedicated fan base, collectors are likely familiar with the Dionysus, a pared-down Gucci shoulder bag that manages to make a substantial statement anyway.
Embrace a classic look with a vintage shoulder bag designed by Chanel, Givenchy or Fendi — find yours on 1stDibs today.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Alexander McQueen often incorporated natural materials into his designs. Examples include hair, feathers, coral, shells and wood. Tweed is a signature material for many fashions, and the brand's scarves tend to feature airier fabrics like silk and chiffon. You'll find a collection of Alexander McQueen on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 21, 2024Where Alexander McQueen t-shirts are made varies. Many tees produced by the British luxury fashion house come from factories in Italy. However, others are manufactured in Turkey and in factories in Asia. Generally, tees made outside of Italy are a part of the McQ diffusion line. Explore a variety of Alexander McQueen shirts on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Many things inspired Alexander McQueen's designs. The fabrics and styles of traditional clothing worn in India, Africa, Turkey, China and Japan served as sources of inspiration. Music, film, theater, the natural world and the designer's own Scottish heritage also influenced his work. Explore a large collection of Alexander McQueen on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Alexander McQueen’s last collection was the Fall/Winter 2010 collection, which was nearly finished at the time of his death. This collection was presented at Paris Fashion Week after his passing. Find a range of authentic Alexander McQueen products from top boutiques worldwide on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Alexander McQueen fashions, shoes and accessories have a signature style that is eclectic. The brand borrows elements from the Roman, Gothic and Victorian eras and frequently incorporates dark colors, heavy fabrics and romantic embellishments like lace. Its skull-patterned scarves and oversized sneakers are among their most well-known designs. Find a large selection of Alexander McQueen on 1stDibs.
- What is Alexander McQueen?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Alexander McQueen is a luxury fashion brand founded by a designer by the same name. The fashion house designs haute couture and prêt-à-porter clothing for men and women, as well as shoes, handbags, accessories and jewelry. Shop a large selection of Alexander McQueen on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 15, 2024To tell if an Alexander McQueen dress is real, look at the brand label tag inside the neck. Counterfeiters often make mistakes in copying the font style, character size and spacing. You can often spot fakes by comparing labels to images of authentic tags shared on trusted online resources. Next, look carefully at the seams along the hemline, sleeves, waist and other areas. Uneven, loose or misaligned stitching will usually indicate a replica. If you have any lingering doubts about the authenticity of your dress, consult a certified appraiser or expert authenticator. On 1stDibs, find a large selection of Alexander McQueen dresses.