In mainstream industries, design oftentimes gets diluted to be palatable to the most of the masses. It's a bottom line thing. For fashion icon Alexander McQueen, however, the bottom line was to be extraordinarily rebellious. He was referred to as a "hooligan of English fashion," and "l'efant terrible." Reportedly, he even once stitched "I'm a cunt" into the royal jacket of Prince Charles. 

On February 11th, 2010 he was found dead in his London home. He was just 40 years old. The cause of death is said to be suicide. Since then, the fashion world has been in mourning, elaborately, the way McQueen lived his life. Lady Gaga paid a tribute to him by dedicating her performance at the recently held Brit Awards. Betsey Johnson paid him a tribute by having a model walk down the runway in bleeding red lipstick of the kind seen on his Fall 09 collection runway, holding a “Long Live McQueen” sign.

Before his death, his creations were worn by some of fashion’s most known celebrity trendsetters like Sarah Jessica Parker, Victoria Beckham, Daphne Guiness, and Rihanna. The fact that his designs may cause a scandal (which they did more often than not) never stopped him.

Born Lee Alexander McQueen, he knew early on his love of design, first creating dresses for his sisters, and still at a young age, working as a tailor, where he developed his impeccable ability to craft. In 1996 he joined fashion house Givenchy. His first collection for the label wasn’t as successful as hoped – McQueen felt that the contract with Givenchy constricted his artistic abilities – and in a few years he left the label and joined The Gucci Group. He had his own labels under the umbrealla, Alexander McQueen and McQ. Throughout his career, he was awarded the British Designer of the Year four times, International Designer of the Year, and as A Most Excellent Commander of the Order of the British Empire by Her Majesty the Queen, though he had no desire to be politically correct. A 1995 collection, “Highland Rape,” was a reference to England’s attempts to “ravage Scotland.”

His bravery inspired. He will be remembered for his craftmanship, and passion for couture and theatrics. He will be remembered as a visionary, a seer who not only foretold the future of fashion, but also defined fashion’s present. He will be remembered as a freethinking genius who, though only with us briefly, left his mark in this world. IAM spoke with some of our favorite bloggers and writers to discuss.

What is your take on Alexander McQueen designs?

“While it's one thing for a designer to appeal to the glamorous side of the female role, I think some of what he did might have been seen as borderline misogynist. However, I think it was his thought provoking designs that was his best talent, along with his tailoring of course. He had a way of creating this overall mood and never once did I feel it was forced or ‘done.’” – Joe Young, Liberating Style Magazine

“I see Alexander McQueen's creations as pieces that almost transport me into a fantasy-land... Alexander McQueen was at the top of my list of designers who constantly brought outrageous and visually inspiring pieces to the table.” – Sarah Khan, Fashionized

“Lee’s experience as a teen learning tailoring from the best of the best on Savile Row provided him with technical skill and a disciplined foundation that he would later use as a launch pad of sorts to explore clothes through his vivid imagination, or explore his vivid imagination through clothes... What he gave us was far beyond clothes; it was an experience.” - Denise Grayson, The Swell Life

“His designs and pieces were so far left, yet very wearable. Whenever I saw one of his creations, I went through the following thought process: 1. ‘WTF is that?’ 2. ‘I can't stop looking. Such great detail.’ 3. ‘Wow, I could really wear that.’” – Dara Adeeyo, Secretista

“Lee was one of those rare artists who come about once in a good 60 years, who transcend and truly blur the fine line between art and fashion.” – Arushi Khosla, Fab Blab

“I started following his designs when the skull scarves came out. Ever since, I’ve found his designs different but still inspirational to other designers.” – Sophie Jansen, Golden Trasch

How did he inspire you?

 “He inspired and reminded me to stay true to the use of fabric and texture to complement shape, and how to challenge tradition.” – Monica Barnett, Blueprint for Style

“He inspired me in many ways – to push the limits, not to settle for anything less than the best, to strive for perfection.” – Natalie Walker, W.S.V. DNA

“He pushed the boundaries on what was even possible in fashion. I started feeling okay about wearing plaid with tartan, 6 and a half inch heels (they were no alien shoes, but oh well) and just going with my instincts.” – Arushi Kholsa, Fab Blab

First of all, I appreciate how carefully wrought his pieces are, they reflect a knowledge of haute couture in both technique and aesthetic.  Secondly, McQueen's work was permeated and informed by art.” – Catherine Critton, Couture Carrie

Which was your favorite McQueen collection?

“That's tough to say, he found countless ways to reinvent how tailoring can work on a woman's body - he made it sculptural but never for the sake of experimentation, it was always relevant - and what he did beyond that with textures, print, adornment, draping. Every show I watch leaves me breathless and for that reason I simply can't choose a favorite.” – Denise Grayson, The Swell Life

“Not sure of my favorite collection, but I love, love the Alexander McQueen’s ‘Oyster Dress.’   It was like a beautiful sea creature. So fly!” – Carla Thomas, The Fly Girl Guide

“I will have to say the spring 2010 collection was the one I was most baffled and impressed with.” – Sophie Jansen, Golden Trasch

Parting words?

“Lee McQueen was an extraordinarily talented, innovative and passionate artist who stood up for what he believed, to persevere down a path of his own making, in an industry that has become increasingly homogeneous, corporate, and complacent about its own originality. There will never be another like him.” – Denise Grayson, The Swell Life

“I’m saddened by his death as an avid fan of his designs but I am thankful for the past 30 years of McQueen.” – Carla Thomas, The Fly Girl Guide

“It's so heartbreaking that one of the legends of fashion is no more. He will be dearly, dearly missed. R.I.P Lee. We'll love you forever.” – Arushi Kholsa, Fab Blab

“He’ll be missed and I am hopeful that whoever takes over his design house will hold true to the platitudes he held sacred and that ultimately produced some of the most eccentric and eye-catching pieces to hit the runways.” – Monica Barnett, Blueprint for Style

“A great talent. I thank him for sharing his art with the world!” – Natalie Walker, W.S.V. DNA

“I was at work when I heard that he had passed, and hearing such things are never easy, you just don’t believe them, especially somebody who you assume is enjoying the life they led. I think that we, as fashion followers, only got to see a glimpse of the complexity of his thoughts and motivations and while we won’t ever again get to do that on this earth, I’m happy that I lived to see his career.” – Joe Young, Liberating Style Magazine

“Different is a good word, it always is.” – Sophie Jansen, Golden Trasch

“Alexander McQueen was incredibly original, and it’s really a shame that the fashion world is going to have to go on without him now.” – Sarah Khan, Fashionized

Words By Alexis J.