A Tribute to Alexander McQueen (College Candy)

On Thursday morning, English fashion designer Lee Alexander McQueen died at 40. An innovative designer, his fashion designs were just as much pieces of art as they were pieces of clothing. His designs were unconventional and controversial, while his shows employed shock tactics, earning him the nickname “l’enfant terrible.”

Considered to be shy, McQueen preferred to conduct interviews with his back to the camera. But that didn’t keep him from befriending celebrities, stylists and designers; it is obvious that in reading the responses from his peers, McQueen was held in high esteem in the fashion world. And that world was rocked when news of his death broke just as New York Fashion Week began.

McQueen started his trek to the fashion top right out of school, selling his final collection created at Central Saint Martin’s College of Art & Design to Isabella Blow in 1992. At age 27, with only 8 collections under his kilt belt, McQueen became the Designer-in-Chief for Givenchy – replacing John Galliano. He was eventually deemed too avant-garde for Givenchy and left to design under his own label, which has since seen tremendous success.

Throughout his career, McQueen won British Fashion Designer of the Year four times, named International Designer of the Year by the CFDA, honored as a Most Excellent Commander of the British Empire and named British Menswear Designer of the Year. Edgy, talented, inspirational and controversial, he was truly one of fashion’s greats.

Check out highlights from Alexander McQueen’s career at College Candy!