McQueen

I will fully admit that I know next to nothing about the fashion industry, other than the fact that oftentimes the more extravagant the clothes are the more ridiculous they look as well. Despite my dearth of knowledge on the subject, I still recognize the name of fashion designer Alexander McQueen. That’s how popular he was. Co-directed by Ian Bonhôte and Peter Ettedgui, McQueen chronicles the life and death of the famed designer through his collections. Whether you’re familiar with the subject or not, it’s a fascinatingly informative documentary to watch.

McQueen is split between various chapters, each revolving around a specific collection he released during his career starting from the beginning and moving on to his final one before his tragic death. Through interviews with those closest to him as well as personal and public footage, audiences see the ups and downs of his career and how he managed to express himself through his designs.

After watching the documentary, I have a much greater respect for Alexander McQueen and the fashion industry as a whole. Yes, I still think many of the clothes look absolutely ridiculous and don’t function as actual clothes, but the story I watch that explores the reasoning behind each of his collections is captivating. I learned it was more about the show and presentation itself than the clothes the models were wearing. Each collection was a mirror of McQueen’s mindset at the time so some would be gorgeous and beautiful while others might be shocking and grotesque. Regardless, he always astonished.

McQueen provides an intimate window into the life of Alexander McQueen. It takes audiences on a personal journey through the passionate highs of being one of the best designers in the world and also into the dark struggles he faced throughout his career. Even if you’re someone who follows the industry, I believe McQueen still provides a rich insight into this world. For those like me who didn’t know much going into it to begin with, it can be quite eye-opening.