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.
CHANEL red white paper & cotton 2015 15P STRIPED KNIT Skirt 38 S
By Chanel
Located in Zürich, CH
100% authentic Chanel flared knit skirt in red and off-white striped paper (41%), cotton (31%) and silk (28%). Features a glossy button on the waist. Opens with a concealed zipper on...
MIU MIU black wool & mohair 2017 PLEATED MINI Shorts Pants 42 M
By Miu Miu
Located in Zürich, CH
100% authentic Miu Miu pleated shorts in black wool (84%) and mohair (16%). Feature two slant side pockets and belt loops. Close with a concealed hook a...
CHANEL black viscose 2020 20A 31 RUE CAMBON STRIPED KNIT Shorts Pants 40 M
By Chanel
Located in Zürich, CH
100% authentic Chanel striped knit shorts in black, blue and white viscose (53%), polyamide (28%) and polyester (19%) with an elastic band. Has a black 'CC' emblem at the front. Unlined. Has been worn and is in excellent condition 2020 Paris...
BALMAIN black & white 2024 STRIPED SEQUIN Shorts Pants 36 XS
By Balmain
Located in Zürich, CH
These 100% authentic Balmain mini shorts in black and cream striped sequins bring a glamorous edge to any outfit. Featuring a high waist with slant pockets and a double row of decora...
ALEXANDER McQUEEN S/S 1995 Black Stretch Welt Pocket Low-Rise Bermuda Shorts
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Thiensville, WI
Brand / Manufacturer: Alexander McQueen Collection: S/S 1995 Designer: Alexander McQueen Style: Bermuda Shorts Color(s): Shades of black, silver Lined: No Unmarked Fabric Content (feel of): Stretch polyester (primary fabric), metal (hardware) Additional Details / Inclusions: Alexander McQueen S/S 1995 black bermuda shorts. Structured fabric, lots of stretch or give to material. Low-rise waistline; banded waistband; belt loops around waistband. Fly-zip closure at center front; corresponding black hardware. Hook and bar closure above fly-zip on waistband; silver-toned hardware. Inverted pleat detail on either side of front of shorts. Functional welt pocket...
Alexander McQueen Red & Black Wool Cable Knit Flare Skirt w/ Elastic Waist - M
By Alexander McQueen
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Alexander McQueen Red & Black Wool Cable Knit Flare Skirt w/ Elastic Waist - M. This lovely skirt in excellent condition. It is the perfect on-the-go skir...
CHLOE Peppery red linen 2023 PLEATED BERMUDA Short Pants 36 XS
By Chloé
Located in Zürich, CH
This 100% authentic Chloé Bermuda short is crafted in peppery red linen for an effortlessly refined look. The high-waisted, tailored silhouette is designed with front pleats and rela...
Alexander McQueen Fiery Red Chunky Knit Ruffle Mini Skirt
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
The Alexander McQueen Fiery Red Chunky Knit Ruffle Mini Skirt embodies a playful yet sophisticated aesthetic, perfect for the modern fashionista. Crafted from a vibrant white and an ...
MARC JACOBS Size 2 Red Black Coated Cotton Solid A-Line Skirt
By Marc Jacobs
Located in San Francisco, CA
MARC JACOBS knee high skirt comes in a red coated cotton material featuring a a-line style, black top stitching contrast, and a zip up closure.Excellent Pre-Owned Condition. Marked...
BRUNELLO CUCINELLI grey wool 2016 SEQUIN STRIPED Shorts Pants 40 S
By Brunello Cucinelli
Located in Zürich, CH
This 100% authentic Brunello Cucinelli shorts are crafted in anthracite grey wool (75%), polyamide (23%), and elastane (2%), finished with elegant silver sequin stripes. Designed in ...
ALEXANDER MCQUEEN 2018 red white stripe black virgin wool wide shorts IT38 XS
By Alexander McQueen, Sarah Burton
Located in Hong Kong, NT
ALEXANDER MCQUEEN 2018 red white stripe black virgin wool wide shorts IT38 XS Reference: AAWC/A00963 Brand: Alexander McQueen Designer: Sarah Burton Material: Virgin Wool Color: Blac...
RED VALENTINO black viscose virgin wool XL bow high waist shorts IT38 XS
By Pierpaolo Piccioli, REDValentino
Located in Hong Kong, NT
RED VALENTINO black viscose virgin wool XL bow high waist shorts IT38 XS Reference: AAWC/A00369 Brand: Red Valentino Designer: Pier Paolo Piccioli Material: Viscose, Virgin Wool Colo...
ALEXANDER WANG T black pink cream pinstripe wrap skirt US0 XS
By Alexander Wang
Located in Hong Kong, NT
ALEXANDER WANG T black pink cream pinstripe wrap skirt US0 XS Reference: KYCG/A00095 Brand: Alexander Wang T Collection: T BY Material: Triacetate, Blend Color: Black, Pink Pattern: ...
RED VALENTINO black white star intarsia wool blend mini shorts IT38 XS
By REDValentino
Located in Hong Kong, NT
RED VALENTINO black white star intarsia wool blend mini shorts IT38 XS Reference: AAWC/A01482 Brand: Red Valentino Material: Wool, Blend Color: Black, White Pattern: Star Closure: Zi...
PRADA 2019 red virgin wool white trim utility pocket pleated mini skirt IT38 XS
By Prada, Miuccia Prada
Located in Hong Kong, NT
PRADA 2019 red virgin wool white trim utility pocket pleated mini skirt IT38 XS Reference: CYVN/A00011 Brand: Prada Designer: Miuccia Prada Collection: Fall/Winter 2019 Material: Vir...
RED VALENTINO red ruffle hem high waisted shorts IT38 XS
By REDValentino
Located in Hong Kong, NT
RED VALENTINO red ruffle hem high waisted shorts IT38 XS Reference: CNLE/A00389 Brand: Red Valentino Material: Polyester, Blend Color: Red Pattern: Solid Closure: Zip Lining: Red Fab...
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.
