Early Alexander McQueen designs celebrated at New York Historical Society

By

Gabriella Lacombe

Published
Feb 19, 2020

Lee Alexander McQueen, the founder of the Alexander McQueen fashion house, will go down in history as one of the most famed and innovative fashion designers of his lifetime, making his original designs equal parts works of art and historical artifacts. At the New York Historical Society, fans and collectors alike had the opportunity to see some of McQueen's rarest one-off works, as part of a three-day pop-up.

Held from February 14 through 18, the pop-up featured two dozen of the British fashion icon's critically acclaimed early designs from 1994 to 1996, including his 'Bumster' trousers, pieces from his controversial 'Highland Rape' collection, and pieces from his famed and surreal Autumn/Winter 1996 'Dante' show, which rocketed McQueen to international stardom. 

After the pop-up's close, the collection will be auctioned on February 22 in Boston by Bobby Livingston from RR Auction, who organized the installation. The pieces were curated by owner Ruti Danan, a colleague and former McQueen studio member, and Alexander McQueen archivist, John Matheson. 

Preceding the pop-up's public opening, the New York Historical Society held a private preview of the collection of McQueen pieces on February 14, complimented by the Society's surrounding artifcats and champagne.

Attendees included artist Andres Serrano, collectors Colby Mugrabi, Natalya and Nicolas Poniatowski and Lori Chemla, photographer Antoine Verglas, actor Jemima Kirke and her partner, musician Alex Cameron, model Cristina Kruse, architect Charles Renfro, and designer Dapper Dan, among others.