Alexander McQueen's Nature and Tribal Influences

My main fashion influence and my main starting point is Alexander McQueen. Not only is he my favourite fashion designer who I am very passionate about, but he has incorporated natural and tribal elements many of his shows, inspired by the raw, edgy and not so beautiful side of natural and tribal life. I was lucky enough to see Alexander McQueen pieces at the Savage Beauty exhibition at the V&A museum.

The exhibition was absolutely breathtaking. I was amazed at how I reacted to the exhibition, which left me covered in goose bumps and feeling overwhelmed with emotion. McQueen's spirit was captured beautifully and  his masterpieces were translated coherently with the ideas and essence McQueen wanted to create. I am fascinated by the way his mind worked and how he made a unique piece from something which many would dismiss due to it being seen as 'ugly' or too explicitly shocking.

Alexander McQueen Savage Beauty

Alexander McQueen used elements of nature and realness in many of his collections including Eshu (A/W 2000), It's a Jungle Out There (S/S 1998), Widows of Culloden (A/W 2006), The Birds (S/S 1995), VOSS (S/S 2001), The Girl Who Lived in the Tree (A/W 2008), Sarabande (S/S 2007), Natural Dis-tinction Un-natural Selection (S/S 2009) and The Hunger (S/S 1996).

L-R- Eshu, It's a Jungle Out There, Widows of Culloden, The Birds, VOSS, The Girl Who Lived in the Tree, Sarabande, Distinction Un-natural Selection.

Elements of Nature and tribal matters can be seen and expressed though textures such as leathers, feathers and twigs, props such as birds and horns and patterns depicting moths and flowers. Makeup and hair are kept either minimal to represent nature and the natural beauty it holds or wild and expressive, expressing natures more dangerous, wild and predatory side. I will now look further into hair and makeup looks designed for the runway as well as authentic and natural tribal looks...


References

Savage Beauty Images
1- Cdni.condenast.co.uk, (2015). [online] Available at: http://cdni.condenast.co.uk/426x639/s_v/Savage%20Beauty%2036%20Vogue%2012Mar15%20pr_b_426x639.jpg [Accessed 13 Apr. 2015].
2- Cdni.condenast.co.uk, (2015). [online] Available at: http://cdni.condenast.co.uk/646x430/a_c/4-McQueen-Savage-Beauty-16Mar15-Victoria-and-Albert_646x430.jpg [Accessed 13 Apr. 2015].
3- Cdni.condenast.co.uk, (2015). [online] Available at: http://cdni.condenast.co.uk/646x430/a_c/10-McQueen-Savage-Beauty-16Mar15-Victoria-and-Albert_646x430.jpg [Accessed 13 Apr. 2015].
4- Cdni.condenast.co.uk, (2015). [online] Available at: http://cdni.condenast.co.uk/426x639/s_v/Savage%20Beauty%208%20Vogue%2012Mar15%20pr_b_426x639.jpg [Accessed 13 Apr. 2015].
5- Cdni.condenast.co.uk, (2015). [online] Available at: http://cdni.condenast.co.uk/426x639/s_v/Savage%20Beauty%2020%20Vogue%2012Mar15%20pr_b_426x639.jpg [Accessed 13 Apr. 2015].

Alexander McQueen Moodboard Images
1- Blog.metmuseum.org, (2015). [online] Available at: http://blog.metmuseum.org/alexandermcqueen/images/McQ.1013a%E2%80%93d_mcq.1013.AV1.JPG [Accessed 13 Apr. 2015].
2- Farm7.static.flickr.com, (2015). [online] Available at: http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6228/6304386992_b3b4f39e6c_z.jpg [Accessed 13 Apr. 2015].
3- Showstudio.com, (2015). [online] Available at: http://showstudio.com/img/blog_articles/401-600/474_640n.jpg?1308304557 [Accessed 13 Apr. 2015].
4- Media.style.com, (2015). [online] Available at: http://media.style.com/image/ts/slideshows/fashionshows/S2008RTW/AMCQUEEN/RUNWAY/320/480/00520m.jpg [Accessed 13 Apr. 2015].
5- 26.media.tumblr.com, (2015). [online] Available at: http://26.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_kxznziuSej1qak49ao1_500.jpg [Accessed 13 Apr. 2015].
6- Media.style.com, (2015). [online] Available at: http://media.style.com/image/ts/slideshows/fashionshows/F2008RTW/AMCQUEEN/RUNWAY/320/480/00100m.jpg [Accessed 13 Apr. 2015].
7- Blog.metmuseum.org, (2015). [online] Available at: http://blog.metmuseum.org/alexandermcqueen/images/SL.15.2011.9.84a,-d_mcq.1855.AV1.jpg [Accessed 13 Apr. 2015].
8- Media.style.com, (2015). [online] Available at: http://media.style.com/image/ts/slideshows/fashionshows/S2009RTW/AMCQUEEN/RUNWAY/265/400/00010fullscreen.jpg [Accessed 13 Apr. 2015].