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 “Voss” Green PVC Strap Dress, 2008
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Marlborough, GB
Alexander McQueen green mini dress with PVC straps, 2008 This dress was first shown in the Spring 2001 “Voss” collection, modelled by Kate Moss, and was reissued in 2008 in a near-id...
Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent Campaign FW 2003 Silk Green Ruffle Dress Fr 36
By Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent, Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in Montgomery, TX
Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Silk Dress French size 36 - US 4 ( please check measurements ) F/W 2003 Collection 100% Silk, Finished with Ruffles, Back Zip Closure, Fab...
Pistachio Draw-String Slip Dress with Ruffled Hem, Italy c. 2000s
By Burberry Brit
Located in Milano, IT
Effortless British cool meets Italian craftsmanship in this Burberry Brit slip-style day dress. Rendered in an airy pistachio-green technical taffeta, the piece was produced in Italy...
John Galliano S/S 2003 "Indian Summer" Green Lotus Jersey Tiered Ruffles Dress
By John Galliano
Located in Paris, FR
Unreleased sample dress from John Galliano’s Spring/Summer 2003 collection, featuring the same printed viscose jersey used in the runway look. This print appeared prominently on the ...
ALEXANDER MCQUEEN 2023 kelly green open back puff sleeve midi dress IT38 XS
By Alexander McQueen, Sarah Burton
Located in Hong Kong, NT
ALEXANDER MCQUEEN 2023 kelly green open back puff sleeve midi dress IT38 XS Reference: AAWC/A01275 Brand: Alexander McQueen Designer: Sarah Burt...
Alexander McQueen Pre Death Ruched Green Silk Evening Dress
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Circa 2008 Alexander McQueen apple green ruched evening dress. The simplicity of the style combined with the unique color and ruching draws the eye to this unusual, interesting and elegant Alexander McQueen pre death fashion. Dress is fashioned of meticulously folded ruched silk overlaid on nude net...
1990S Moschino Bright Lime Green Rayon & Silk Cocktail Dress
By Moschino
Located in New York, NY
1990S Moschino Bright Lime Green Rayon & Silk Cocktail Dress
Pale Chartreuse Valentino Short Sleeve Dress
By Valentino
Located in New York, NY
Pale chartreuse short sleeve knee-length dress by Valentino. V-neck. Zip closure at back. 32" bust, 25" waist, 39.75" length, 11.5" shoulder width.
1997 Runway Documented Versace Lime Green Embellished Dress
By Versace, Gianni Versace
Located in London, GB
This dress walked the runway as part of Versace’s Fall 1997 show - the last ready-to-wear collection that Gianni Versace ever designed. The final time he appeared on the runway to ta...
F/W 2003 Yves Saint Laurent by Tom Ford Emerald Green Ruffle Silk Dress FR42
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche, Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Presenting an iconic emerald green Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche silk dress designed by Tom Ford. From the Fall/Winter 2003 collection, a more sheer version of this dress debuted on the season's runway as Look 1, modeled by Julia Stegner, and in the season's ad campaign on Julia Stenger, photographed by Craig McDean...
ALEXANDER McQUEEN S/S 2007 "Sarabande" Iridescent Silk Pleated Mermaid Dress
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Thiensville, WI
DESCRIPTION: ALEXANDER McQUEEN S/S 2007 "Sarabande" Iridescent Silk Pleated Mermaid Dress Estimated Retail: $5,900 Brand / Manufacturer: Alexander McQueen Collection: Spring / S...
ALEXANDER McQUEEN S/S 1998 "Golden Shower" Yellow Aesthetic Stripe Sheath Dress
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Thiensville, WI
ALEXANDER McQUEEN S/S 1998 "Golden Shower" Dual Tone Aesthetic Stripe Sleeveless Sheath Dress Brand / Manufacturer: Alexander McQueen Collection: S/S 1...
ALEXANDER McQUEEN c.2010 Yellow White Chiffon Keyhole Double Slit Mini Dress
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Thiensville, WI
ALEXANDER McQUEEN c.2010 Yellow White Chiffon Keyhole Double Slit Mini Dress Brand / Manufacturer: Alexander McQueen Circa: 2010 Designer: Alexander McQueen Style: Mini Dress Color(s): Shades of yellow, white Lined: No Unmarked Fabric Content (feel of): Chiffon (primary fabric), metal (button hardware) Additional Details / Inclusions: Alexander McQueen c.2010 chiffon mini dress. Semi sheer material, no give or stretch, flowy drape. High neckline with collar and yellow shank button...
ALEXANDER McQUEEN c.1990s Green Stretch Knit Sequin Ruffle Tank Top
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Thiensville, WI
Brand / Manufacturer: Alexander McQueen Circa: 1990s Designer: Alexander McQueen Style: Tank Top Color(s): Shades of green, silver Lined: No Unmarked Fabric Content (feel of): Stretch knit (primary fabric), sequin (embellishment) Additional Details / Inclusions: Alexander McQueen circa 1990s green tank...
ALEXANDER McQUEEN S/S 2007 Ivory Silk Chiffon Full Length Ballgown Dress Gown
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Thiensville, WI
ALEXANDER McQUEEN S/S 2007 Ivory Silk Chiffon Gathered Full Length Ballgown Brand / Manufacturer: Alexander McQueen Collection: S/S 2007 Style: Ballgown Color(s): Shades of ivory Lined: Yes Unmarked Fabric Content: 100% Silk Additional Details / Inclusions: Alexander McQueen S/S 2007 silk chiffon ball gown...
ALEXANDER McQUEEN S/S 1997 "La Poupee" Plunging V Neck Bias Cut Cocktail Dress
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Thiensville, WI
DESCRIPTION: ALEXANDER McQUEEN S/S 1997 "La Poupee" Plunging V Neck Bias Cut Cocktail Dress Brand / Manufacturer: Alexander McQueen Collection: Spring / Summer 1997 “La Poupee”; Runway look #40 Designer: Alexander McQueen Style: Plunging v neck dress...
The designer combined his Savile Row training with his fascination with Victorian jewelry to create a most alluring piece.
A striking tartan ensemble from the late designer’s celebrated (and controversial) Fall/Winter 2006 collection is equal parts tailored and punk.
