Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty by Andrew Bolton – Alexander McQueen (17 March 1969 – 11 February 2010) was an icon in the fashion industry. This book is a fine tribute to one of the best fashion designer and conceptual artist who died far too young but whose contributions to contemporary fashion and art will live on. This book is likely to become a collector’s item, so handsomely designed and present as it is.

The artist was the most influential, imaginative, and provocative designer of his generation- The artist both challenged and expanded fashion conventions to express ideas about race, class, sexuality, religion, and the environment. Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty examines the full breadth of the designer’s career, from the start of his fledgling label to the triumphs of his own world-renowned London house.

It features his most iconic and radical designs, revealing how McQueen adapted and combined the fundamentals of Savile Row tailoring, the specialized techniques of haute couture, and technological innovation to achieve his distinctive aesthetic. It also focuses on the highly sophisticated narrative structures underpinning his collections and extravagant runway presentations, with their echoes of avant-garde installation and performance art. Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty celebrates the astounding creativity and originality of a designer who relentlessly questioned and confronted the requisites of fashion.

The content of the book is stunning. Large photographs that show a lot of detail. Illuminating quotes by Alexander McQueen. The paper is thick and high quality. The lenticular cover is a nice touch, I think this old-school technology is rather fitting.

This book includes a preface by Andrew Bolton, an introduction by Susannah Frankel, an interview by Tim Blanks with Sarah Burton, creative director of the house of Alexander McQueen. Andrew Bolton book was the Winner of the Awards for Excellence in 2011 given by the Association of Art Museum and finalist for the 2011 ForeWord Book of the Year Award in the Art category.

Book Reviews:

“McQueen’s brilliance is celebrated in this sumptuous tome that accompanies the Costume Institute’s spring retrospective. The hologram cover makes it a collector’s item.” Harper’s Bazaar