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.
Alexander McQueen SKULL Bangle
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Port Hope, ON
Alexander McQueen is well known for the the "Skull" design which is found on the brand's jewelry, foot wear, clothing and handbags/clutches. This particular bangle is especially beau...
Enamel
ALEXANDER McQUEEN A/W 2005 Silver Bead Chain Military Dog Tag Pendant Necklace
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Thiensville, WI
ALEXANDER McQUEEN A/W 2005 Silver Bead Chain Military Dog Tag Pendant Necklace Brand / Manufacturer: Alexander McQueen Collection: A/W 2005 "The Man Who Knew Too Much" Designer: Alexander McQueen Style: Necklace Color(s): Silver Unmarked Fabric (feel of): Silver Additional Details / Inclusions: Alexander McQueen pendant...
ALEXANDER McQUEEN c.2006 Orange Large Marbled Resin Beaded Metal Necklace w/Box
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Thiensville, WI
ALEXANDER McQUEEN c.2006 Orange Large Marbled Resin Beaded Metal Necklace w/Box RARE Brand / Manufacturer: Alexander McQueen Circa: 2006 Designer: Alexander McQueen Style: Beaded Necklace Color(s): Shades of orange and yellow; silver (small beads) Unmarked Material (feel of): Resin, Silver-toned beads Additional Details / Inclusions: Alexander McQueen circa 2006 necklace. Large marbled resin polished beads blended with shades of yellow and orange. Small silver metal beads between each larger resin beads. Silver metal lobster claw closure on center back. Engraved "Alexander McQueen" circle medallion tag connected...
$396Sale Price|40% Off
ALEXANDER MCQUEEN Runway Multi hoop gold silver crystal cuff earring
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Hong Kong, NT
ALEXANDER MCQUEEN Runway Multi hoop gold silver crystal cuff earring Reference: KEDG/A00024 Brand: Alexander McQueen Designer: Sarah Burton Model: Multi Hoop Ear Cuff Collection: Run...
Gold, Silver
Alexander McQueen Gold Toned Skull Pendant & Ring
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Vaughan, CA
Elevate your accessory game with the Alexander McQueen Gold Toned Skull Pendant and matching ring, a statement piece that melds edgy design with luxury. The pendant and ring both sho...
Vintage 1940-50's Large Angel Skin Coral Bead Necklace
Located in Scotts Valley, CA
Details: Fabulous strand of graduated natural coral—vintage angel skin coral beads with a silver and coral bead adorned clasp. The necklace is a chunky choker style of graduated bead...
Coral, Silver
Vintage Gold Toned Signed Coro Necklace
By Coro
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This Vintage Gold-Toned Signed Coro Necklace is a highly collectible piece of jewelry that reflects the craftsmanship and style of the mid-20th century. Coro was one of the most popu...
Gold Plate
Cameo Skull Snake Diamond 18 Karat Gold Pendant Necklace
By Meghna Jewels
Located in Hoffman Estate, IL
Cast in 18 karat gold. This beautiful cameo pendant necklace is set with 8.63 carats cameo shell, .20 carats ruby and .40 carats of sparkling diamonds. ...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
14K White Gold Diamond Tennis Necklace, Features 3.13Cts of Round Diamonds
By Diana M. Jewels
Located in New York, NY
"14K White Gold Diamond Tennis Necklace, Features 3.13Cts of Round Diamonds. FG color and SI calrity and Excellent cut 17" inche...
Diamond, White Gold
14 Karat Gold Chain Necklace with Multi Colored Stone Baguettes
By Amy Glaswand
Located in New York, NY
A colorful addition to any necklace collection. Our Confetti gold chain features gorgeous colored baguette stones in a mix of rhodolite, peridot, citrine, moonstone and london blue ...
Citrine, Moonstone, Multi-gemstone, Peridot, Blue Topaz, Rhodolite, Gold...
Victorian 14K Gold Fob Watch Chain
Located in New York, NY
A victorian 14K gold watch chain worn with a watch on one end, carrying a fob on the other. Of gold round and two sizes of rectangular links, ribbed and etched in an aesthetic taste....
14k Gold
Yellow Gold Beaded Ball Pendant Necklace - 14k Adjustable
Located in Greensboro, NC
Metal Content: 14k Yellow Gold Chain Style: Flat Cable Necklace Style: Chain Fastening Type: Lobster Claw Clasp Theme: Beaded Ball Measurements Tall: 1/2" (12.2mm) Wide: 1/2" (12....
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
7 Pearl Chain Necklace 18K Yellow Gold
Located in Honolulu, HI
Item Specifications: Necklace Metal: 18k Yellow Gold Total Weight: 4.3 Grams Necklace Length: 16" Pearl Type: Akoya Pearls Pearl Bead Diameter : 6 mm Stamped: "K18" Conditi...
Pearl, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
10K Gold Momento Mori Skull Pendant Charm
Located in Venice, CA
This 10k gold pendant has the shape of a fraternity key, with a skull and cross bones on it as a Momento Mori. Latin for “Remember you must die,” a Momento Mori is meant to serve as ...
Gold, 10k Gold
$28,200 / item
W 4.5 in Dm 14.5 in L 4.75 in
18 Karat White Gold, 4.39 Carat Diamond and Cultured Pearl Choker Necklace
By Bernard Grosz
Located in New York, NY
Feel like a princess in this beautiful 18 karat white gold , diamond and pearl choker. The necklace has been set with 9 pave diamond balls which alternate with 10 cultured white pearls. The pattern continues to the back with 18 karat white gold high polished balls...
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Natural Diamond Pendant 0.55 cts 18KT White Gold Heart Pendant Necklace
Located in Antwerpen, BE
Embrace the brilliance of a true showstopper with this dazzling heart-shaped diamond cluster in a halo pendant necklace. The necklace boasts a sumptuous 0.55 carats of glittering dia...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Bangle bracelet Candy Cane twist 14 karat, Italy
Located in New York, NY
Italian Candy Cane twist bangle bracelet Hi shine finish endless twist Bracelet measures 8.5 mm wide Interior measures 2.4 x 2 in 14 karat yellow gold 2...
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Alexander McQueen Skull Ring - '90s
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Milano, IT
Alexander McQueen Skull Ring in gold plated metal, featuring red stones and a bold skull design with a mohawk. A striking statement of edg...
Alexander McQueen Silver Toned Skull Bracelet
By Alexander McQueen
Located in London, GB
CONDITION is Very good. Hardly any visible wear to the bangle is evident on this used Alexander McQueen designer resale item. Details Silver and blue Metal B...
Alexander McQueen Black & Silver Skull Bangle
By Alexander McQueen
Located in London, GB
CONDITION is Very good. Minimal wear to the bangle is evident, there are light marks on the internal circumference of this used Alexander McQueen designer resale item. Details ...
Alexander McQueen Silver Toned Skull Necklace
By Alexander McQueen
Located in London, GB
CONDITION is Very good. Minimal wear to the necklace is evident, there is a mark on the back of the skull pendant of this used Alexander McQueen designer resale item. Details ...
Alexander McQueen Red Skull Gold Chain Necklace
By Alexander McQueen
Located in London, GB
CONDITION is Very good. Hardly any visible wear to necklace is evident on this used Alexander McQueen designer resale item. Details Red Metal Necklace ...
Alexander McQueen Skull Bee Embellished Crystal Ring
By Alexander McQueen
Located in London, GB
Alexander McQueen Skull Bee Embellished Crystal Ring Silver statement ring with the brand's signature oversized Skull motif. Featuring enamel detailed Bee embellishment to the top....
Crystal
Alexander McQueen Skull Wrap-Around Pearl & Crystal Ring
By Alexander McQueen
Located in London, GB
Alexander McQueen Skull Wrap-Around Pearl & Crystal Ring Antique gold finish brass wrap-around ring with gothic glamour design. Embellished with the brand's signature skull to each...
Crystal, Pearl, Brass
ALEXANDER MCQUEEN cream enamel double skull gold tone cuff bangle
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Hong Kong, NT
ALEXANDER MCQUEEN cream enamel double skull gold tone cuff bangle Reference: ALCU/A00047 Brand: Alexander McQueen Material: Enamel, Metal Color: Cream, Gold...
Gold, Enamel
Alexander McQueen Crystal Brass Choker Necklace
By Alexander McQueen
Located in London, GB
CONDITION is Very good. Hardly any visible wear to the necklace is evident on this used Alexander McQueen designer resale item. This item comes with an original dust bag and box. ...
Brass
ALEXANDER MCQUEEN Runway Rose Choker gunmetal silver black jewel choker necklace
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Hong Kong, NT
ALEXANDER MCQUEEN Runway Rose Choker gunmetal silver black jewel choker necklace Reference: KEDG/A00004 Brand: Alexander McQueen Designer: Sarah Burton Model: Rose Choker Collection:...
Silver
ALEXANDER MCQUEEN Runway silver rhinestone teardrop earcuff statement earring
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Hong Kong, NT
ALEXANDER MCQUEEN Runway silver rhinestone teardrop earcuff statement earring Reference: KEDG/A00006 Brand: Alexander McQueen Designer: Sarah Burton Collection: Runway Material: Meta...
Silver
ALEXANDER MCQUEEN beige yellow skull enamel gold tone brass bangle cuff
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Hong Kong, NT
ALEXANDER MCQUEEN beige yellow skull enamel gold tone brass bangle cuff Reference: ANWU/A00146 Brand: Alexander McQueen Material: Brass Color: Yellow, Gold Pattern: Skull Closure: Pu...