Designer’s Archive:Alexander McQueen’s Bird

Feathers and birds were a common motif in McQueen’s work that he would revisit often.McQueen compelled the beauty of a bird’s movement to the female figure with an acute attention to silhouette and proportion:exaggerated shoulders,small waist.The most obvious example that comes into my mind is a garment from The Horn of Plenty collection(also available at the Savage Beauty Exhibition):

Birds represents freedom and wildness in McQueen’s vision. A raven is a symbolic image of death,melancholic but also romantic at the same time.The ensemble made of duck feathers dyed black compells a gothic imagery.

This white feathered piece from the Fall 2009 collection depicts a pure and fragile creature contrasted with the bright red tone of the lips.Another source were a parrot’s exotic plumage reflected in a colorful dress from the Spring-Summer 2008 collection.

But the designer’s love for birds is not seen only on his intricate dresses but also on accessories like headpieces and hats who were often the result of a prolific collaboration with Philip Treacy.He frequently incorporated feathers or entire bird wings in order to encompass McQueen’s fascination for nature.

Alexander McQueen Philip Treacy bird headpiece

In his words:

"‎Birds in flight fascinate me. I admire eagles and falcons. I’m inspired by a feather but also its color, its graphics, its weightlessness and its engineering. It’s so elaborate. In fact I try and transpose the beauty of a bird to women.”

Designer’s Archive:Alexander McQueen’s Bird

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