Cover Alexander McQueen in New York City, 1996 (Photo: Getty Images)
Alexander McQueen in New York City, 1996 (Photo: Getty Images)
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Alexander McQueen pushed the limits of creativity while trying to reconcile his artistic vision with commercial pressures. Here are five quotes by the late designer to take to heart
Lee Alexander McQueen was a true fashion revolutionary. From his early days as a student at Central Saint Martins to his appointment as creative director at Givenchy, his rebellious spirit and groundbreaking designs disrupted an industry known for its intense rigidity. His outrageous concepts and unapologetic attitude earned him a reputation as an outlier—one who constantly pushed the limits of his creativity while struggling to balance artistic freedom with commercial pressures.
McQueen’s impact on the fashion industry was undeniable. His untimely passing in 2010 left a void that remains unfulfilled, but his legacy lives on not just through designs but also through the powerful lessons he imparted. Here are some of his most unforgettable quotes and lessons.
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Above Shalom Harlow on the runway during the Alexander McQueen Ready to Wear Spring/Summer 1999 fashion show (Photo: Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)
Shalom Harlow on the runway during the Alexander McQueen Ready to Wear Spring/Summer 1999 fashion show (Photo: Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)
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“Fashion is about fantasy as well as being commercial. We don’t all want to dress like soldiers in the same uniform. There is a viewpoint that people should play safe because they can’t afford to frighten their customer but, in fact, the opposite is true. You have to push forward and realise the power of fantasy and escapism. What’s the point of doing this job if you’re going to stagnate?”
McQueen criticised the idea of “playing it safe” to avoid alienating customers, arguing that true success comes from innovation and risk-taking. He believed that stagnation was the real danger, and that pushing boundaries was essential to keeping fashion alive and meaningful.
Above A look by Alexander McQueen from his Fall/Winter 1996 fashion show (Photo: Getty Images)
A look by Alexander McQueen from his Fall/Winter 1996 fashion show (Photo: Getty Images)
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“I design clothes because I don’t want women to look all innocent and naïve. I want women to look stronger. I don’t like women to be taken advantage of.”
For McQueen, clothing was never simply about aesthetics—it was a way to challenge societal perceptions of femininity and strength. His work often featured dramatic silhouettes, and elements of armor-like construction, reinforcing the idea that fashion can serve as both protection and a statement of confidence.
See also: A legacy lives on: How Givenchy preserves its founder’s legacy
Above Aimee Mullins walks the runway during the Alexander McQueen Ready to Spring/Summer 1999 fashion show (Photo: Getty Images)
Aimee Mullins walks the runway during the Alexander McQueen Ready to Spring/Summer 1999 fashion show (Photo: Getty Images)
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“Fashion should be a form of escapism, not a form of imprisonment.”
The designer saw fashion as a way for individuals to embrace fantasy. For him, it is meant to be liberating—an art form that allows people to explore different identities and emotions rather than feeling trapped by rules and convention.
Above Model wearing a crucifix mask walks the runway at Alexander McQueen's first New York fashion show in 1996 (Photo: Getty Images)
Model wearing a crucifix mask walks the runway at Alexander McQueen's first New York fashion show in 1996 (Photo: Getty Images)
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“I think there’s beauty in everything. What ‘normal’ people would perceive as ugly, I can usually see something of beauty in it.”
McQueen possessed an ability to see artistry in what others might dismiss as ‘unfashionable’ or unrefined, often drawing inspiration from the macabre. It showed in his designs, which frequently blurred the line between beauty and grotesque.
Above Models walk the catwalk at the Alexander McQueen Fall-Winter 2006/2007 fashion show (Photo: Getty Images)
Models walk the catwalk at the Alexander McQueen Fall-Winter 2006/2007 fashion show (Photo: Getty Images)
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“You’ve got to know the rules to break them. That’s what I’m here for—to demolish the rules but to keep the tradition.”
Having apprenticed as a tailor and pattern-cutter on Savile Row, McQueen was vocal about his respect for craftsmanship and fashion history. However, he refused to be confined by its rules. For him, breaking the mould wasn’t about rebellion for its own sake, but about evolving the industry while honouring its legacy.
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About
Julianna has been interested in leading a literary life since she first read Frances Hodgson Burnett's A Little Princess at eight. Before working with Tatler, she was an archive intern at The Center for Fiction in Brooklyn, New York. She is a textbook Pisces who devotes most of her spare time to her crochet projects, watching classic films, and going through her never-ending pile of unread books. She studied creative writing, global literature and art history at Sarah Lawrence College, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 2022. Toni Morrison, Nora Ephron, Clarice Lispector and Jia Tolentino are among her all-time favourite writers.
Work
Julianna writes about fashion, beauty, sustainability, and the arts. She is always keen on conducting interviews with talented women who are changing the game in their respective fields.
For event invites and story leads, hit her up at julianna.cabili@tatlerasia.com
