alexander mcqueen
Spectacular Fall 2006 Alexander McQueen 'The Widows of Culloden' Collection Look 15 Skirt Suit
McQueen's Fall 2006's collection was called "The Widows of Culloden" and it was dedicated to his muse and friend Isabella Blow. The Alexander McQueen site says of this collection: "The inspiration here is highly personal – the designer’s own heritage – which goes at least some way towards explaining the exquisite hand-craftsmanship that goes into each piece as well, of course, as bird head-dresses and McQueen tartan. The collection is luxurious and romantic but melancholic and even austere at the same time. The silhouette – all nipped waists, bustles and exaggerated hip lines – is designed to exaggerate a woman’s form and each piece is unique, a one-off couture creation with emotional content intended to be handed down from generation to generation like the most precious of heirlooms." This was also the show where Kate Moss made the famous glass box closing look. Vogue described that feat by saying; "Only Alexander McQueen could provide the astonishing feat of techno-magic that ended his show. Inside an empty glass pyramid, a mysterious puff of white smoke appeared from nowhere and spun in midair, slowly resolving itself into the moving, twisting shape of a woman enveloped in the billowing folds of a white dress. It was Kate Moss, her blonde hair and pale arms trailing in a dream-like apparition of fragility and beauty that danced for a few seconds, then shrank and dematerialized into the ether." They went on to talk about the collection saying; "The quality of the performance—and the extraordinary workmanship in the clothes that preceded it—was a timely reconfirmation of McQueen's unique powers as a showman-designer, and a far cry from the more straightforward presentations he¿s given the last few seasons. For this collection, he delved into his past, revisiting his Scottish family roots and refining the contents of the rampaging tartan "Highland Rape" show with which he began his career in London in the early nineties. Shorn of its original rawness and anger, the result was a poetic and technically accomplished tale that involved romantic images of Scottish fantasy heroines wandering glens and castle halls in vaguely Victorian tartan crinolines, bird-wing or antler-and-lace headdresses, feathered gowns, and pieces made from brocades that might have been dragged down from ancient wall-hangings." I have also included a shot from one of the McQueen book pages that tells more on the show and mentioned these suits specifically. This was one of his most extraordinary shows and this suit is the twin of the full shot that walked the runway for Look 15 in that show. It is fabulous.
The suit is identical to the one that walked the show. Very few of these would have been produced and it is amazing to have such an wonderful piece of his work in the shop and to have the full suit. A piece like this truly showcases McQueen’s strong tailoring background and master cutting abilities. The suit is made from a mens suiting fabric and gives a nod to his heritage and strong tailoring roots. The jacket is also cut with a nod to a traditional men's suit and then he has twisted and shaped the collar and brought in the waist to create a more feminine shape. I love that it still feels very refined despite its avant grade shape and cut. The shoulders are shaped and lightly padded to hold their shape. Each sleeve is cut on a slight curve in the proper manner of tailoring a sleeve. The body of the coat is shaped with a female body in mind and is cut in at the waist for shape. It closes with a single button there. I am obsessed with the collar. It is cut to be very over-sized and covers the entire upper bodice. The lapels curve around the neckline and run down to the button at the waist. It is wonderfully wide and has been finished with a series of properly done button holes that run around the outer edge. This gives it a very unusual detailing and I love that he did not do the all too obviously step of adding buttons. The back collar is rolled and secured with a stitch at each side to create height and shape. Under the waist the jacket skims over the hips. Pockets sit on each hip and they still have their original tacking. At the back it is cut to have a panel that flares out a touch. The skirt is as wonderful. It is cut with a flat front and no band around the waist. It is also high cut so curves up at the waist a touch. It flares out as it nears the hem and there is a panel of extra fabric set to one side. This flares out and moves when you move and is quite extraordinary. You really need to watch the runway clip to see just how stunning it in on and moving. The inside is lined in a copper toned silk that picks up on the colour of the exterior. The workmanship is meticulous and it is an absolutely beautiful and a rare piece of his work. It still has its original Bergdorf's hang tag and was never worn. Excellent condition.
Both piece are fully lined in a copper toned silk. The jacket closes with a single button at the front. The skirt closes with a hidden set zipper. Both the skirt and the jacket are tagged a size 44. Padding on the shoulders and the pockets on the jacket have their original tacking to close them. It's original shop tag is still attached.
Sleeves: 24"
Shoulders: 15"
Bust: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 15.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 61" from neck to longest point of hem
Skirt
Waist: to 14.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 30" from waist to shortest point of hem, 34" to the longest
Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED
Item# DD3856
Reference Photos/Video: (1-4) Fall 2006 Alexander McQueen Runway Collection. Look 15. Model: Ana Mihajlovic. / (5-6) From the book "Alexander McQueen" by Abrams and edited by Claire Wilcox.
This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.
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