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.
New Alexander McQueen Palladium Plated Silver Choker Necklace
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Conroe, TX
Alexander McQueen statement choker necklace featuring Palladium plated silver-tone curb chains and an intricate floral openwork centerpiece with crystal accents. Crafted in Italy wit...
New Alexander McQueen Chain Embedded within Plexiglass Bangle Bracelet
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Conroe, TX
Alexander McQueen Plexi Chain Bangle features a gold-tone metal chain embedded within black plexiglass Brand New With Tags Heavy weight 135 grams Measurements: Inside Circumferenc...
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 Layered Moth Statement Ring
By Alexander McQueen
Located in London, GB
Statement Piece - Alexander McQueen Layered Moth Statement Ring Polished, silver-tone ring designed in a form of a moth with extended wings. Featuring an open-back with 'Alexander ...
Alexander McQueen Enamel Skull Bangle, Silver-Tone, UK, 21st Century
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 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
1.08 Carat 925 Sterling Silver Cubic Zirconia Freya Line Tennis Hinged Bangle
By Lustre of London
Located in London, GB
A subtle, understated yet elegant bangle that is easy to wear, effortlessly lifting any outfit to another level. Featuring 1.08ct of round brilliant cut cubic zirconia, hand set in...
Rhodium, Sterling Silver, Silver
$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
Grey Diamond Bead Necklace in 20 Karat Yellow Gold
By Pamela Farland
Located in New York, NY
Delicate grey Diamond bead chain in 20 Karat gold, can be worn on it's own or with other chains or necklaces to add sparkle. Hand crafted by the ar...
Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, 22k Gold
Rainbow Yellow Gold 18K Necklace Multi Sapphire Diamond for Her
By Natkina
Located in Genève, GE
NECKLACE 18K Yellow Gold Diamond 0.71 Cts/50 Pcs Multi Sapphire 3.94 Cts/50 Pcs
Yellow Gold
Pastel Rainbow Sapphire and Ruby Yellow Gold Necklace
Located in GOES, NL
Embrace yourself with sparkling pastel colored gemstones that capture the colours of the rainbow! The facetted shapes of the stones enhance this necklace’s beauty, with precious ston...
Ruby, Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Turquoise, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
New 14k Yellow Gold Flexible Wire Tatto Choker Neckloace 17.5 inches
Located in Eagan, MN
This is such a cool necklace. It is made of flexible, stretchable 14k Gold wire. Unstretched it measures 13 inches. It averages 19 mm wide. It is marked "14k" and has a hook and...
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
18 Karat Yellow Gold 12 Brilliant Cut Sapphires Collar Choker Necklace
By Anna Maccieri Rossi
Located in Santarcangelo Di Romagna, IT
Inspired by time, Anna Maccieri Rossi's 'Sunset to Sunrise Collar' tells a story of change through the colors of the natural brilliant cut sapphires...
Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Ammanii Garnet Chain Necklace with Charms in Vermeil Gold
By Ammanii
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Our Message of Peace necklace is inspired by the desire to spread the vibes of peace and tolerance to all the corners of the earth. The pendant is an ov...
Garnet, Zircon, Onyx, 18k Gold, Vermeil, Sterling Silver
Tri-Tone Gold Diamond Vintage Bangle Bracelet
Located in Montreal, QC
Simply Beautiful! Diamond Bangle Bracelet in Three-Color Solid 18K Gold. Accented with Diamonds, approx 0.07tcw. Bracelet measuring approx. 6.10mm. Beautifully Hand crafted in 3-Tone...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
Vintage William de Lillo Red and White Polka Dot Statement Necklace
By Robert F. Clark for William de Lillo
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Vintage white and red sculptural polka dot statement necklace. A bold piece comprised of oversized glass and resin beads, designed by William de Lillo for Adolfo, circa the 1970s. ...
Pat Saling Triple Strand Citrine Gold Bead Necklace
By Pat Saling
Located in New York, NY
Beads Designed & signed by Pat Saling set of 3 polished Citrine Beads interspersed by 20t gold decorative Elements. Circle & Bar closing. Can be r...
Citrine, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold
Large Freshwater Baroque Pearl 18K Yellow Gold Necklace
By Valentin Magro
Located in New York, NY
An atmosphere of the sea is evoked by this pearl necklace. Large freshwater baroque pearls are collected together on a wire, each reflecting ...
Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
Alexander McQueen Skull Ring - '90s
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Milano, Lombardia
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 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 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...
ALEXANDER MCQUEEN silver gold birds heart locket textured chain necklace
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Hong Kong, NT
ALEXANDER MCQUEEN silver gold birds heart locket textured chain necklace Reference: TGAS/D01108 Brand: Alexander McQueen Material: Metal Color: Silver, Gold Pattern: Solid Closure: L...
Gold, Silver
Alexander Mc Queen Golden and Silvery Metal Earrings Ornamented with Rhinestones
By Alexander McQueen
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Alexander Mc Queen - Golden and silvery metal earrings ornamented with rhinestones Additional information: Condition: Very good condition Dimensions: Height: 6.7 cm Seller Referenc...
ALEXANDER MCQUEEN faux pearl gold jewel charm short necklace
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Hong Kong, NT
ALEXANDER MCQUEEN faux pearl gold jewel charm short necklace Reference: TGAS/D00706 Brand: Alexander McQueen Designer: Sarah Burton Material: Metal, Faux Pearl Color: Pearl, Bronze P...
Gold
ALEXANDER MCQUEEN red black scaled leather skull charm double wrap bracelet cuff
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Hong Kong, NT
ALEXANDER MCQUEEN red black scaled leather skull charm double wrap bracelet cuff Reference: ANWU/A00164 Brand: Alexander McQueen Material: Leather C...
Alexander Mcqueen Skull Bangel
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Fabulous Alexander Mcqueen bangle featuring their signature skull motif. In a gorgeous electric blue shade alongside black and sterling silver...