1969-03-17

ALEXANDER MCQUEEN, British fashion designer, born (d: 2010); An English fashion designer, Alexander McQueen’s early runway collections developed his reputation for controversy and shock tactics (earning the title “enfant terrible” and “the hooligan of English fashion”), with trousers aptly named “bumsters”, and a collection entitled “Highland Rape”.

It has also been claimed that he was on welfare and that he needed to change his name for his first show so that he could continue to receive benefits. Some of Alexander McQueen’s accomplishments include having been one of the youngest designers to achieve the title “British Designer of the Year,” which he won three times between 1996 and 2003.

He was also awarded the CBE, as well as being named International Designer of the Year at the Council of Fashion Designer Awards. December 2000 saw a new partnership for McQueen with Gucci Group acquiring 51% of the company, and McQueen serving as Creative Director. Plans for expansion have included the opening of stores in London, Milan, and New York, and the launch of his perfumes Kingdom, and more recently My Queen.  McQueen committed suicide in 2010.