Zac Posen Alexander McQueen is the quintessential bad boy made good. He has brains and brawn, having survived over ten years as a solo designer and being brought into the Gucci Group stable, which bought a 51 per cent stake in his company 2002. In 2008, he not only turned a profit but was also opening new stores from LA to Beirut.
• Alexander McQueen was in 1970 in the East End of London - the son of a taxi driver
• He trained on Savile Row at Gieves & Hawkes, where he once embroidered a suit for the Prince of Wales with the words "I am a c**t" (in the lining)
• In 1991 his entire degree show was bought by influential stylist Isabella Blow, whose later suicide in 2007 led to him dedicating his entire spring/summer 2008 collection to her memory
Alexander McQueen thrives under pressure and keeps delivering collections that are described in superlatives: "I didn't plan out my life like that," he says. "When people recognise and respect what you do, that's nice, but I don't think you ever do this to be famous. Fame should be left to the film stars. We're just offering a service."
Alexander McQueen Head Office
10 Amwell Street, London EC1R 1UQ
Tel: +44 20 7278 4333
Fax: +44 20 7278 3828
www.alexandermcqueen.com
