Alexander McQueen Spring 2018 Ready-to-Wear
In the Spring 2018 Ready-to-Wear collection, Alexander McQueen creative director, Sarah Burton, creates an effortless juxtaposition between traditional femininity and gothic inspired detail. Evident contrast in silhouette, structure, and textile all play exceptionally well to this theme.
While designing this collection, Burton made it her priority to utilize Britain’s rainy summer as her primary inspiration. Towering canopies adorned with intricately laced flowers were placed sporadically throughout the runway, communicating nature as the central subject matter. Front row observers snapped quick photos on their phones, ensuring bragging rights for later blog posts.
McQueen kicked off the show with a billowing quilt-inspired overcoat. A soft pink chiffon train peeked out from the bottom, signifying remnants from the dress that hid underneath it. This look thoroughly conveys Burton’s intended storyline. The models appear as if they’d been marching through the rainy gardens of Hidcote Manor. This narrative continued, and ceased to stop until Burton’s last look took the runway.
Chosen accessories consisted of gaudy necklaces and intricate earrings. Although the clothing spoke for itself, these additions asserted the gothic inspired detail I mentioned earlier. Cinched waists and exposed midriffs accentuated a common focal point. Each textile and fabric was crafted with individuality in mind; Burton has never been a woman of repetition.
The show finished off with an inside-out skeletal taffeta gown. It was embroidered with three-dimensional blooms, effortlessly trailing off the bottom hems as if it were a real life climbing-plant. A deconstructed corset was placed sporadically among the models bust. With a mix of both fragility and hardware, consisting of reclaimed couture inspired pieces and men’s tailoring, McQueen has presented yet another beautiful collection.
