Alexander McQueen

Who he is: 

Alexander McQueen trained on Savile Row and launched a label known for sharp tailoring and concept-driven collections. He staged runway shows that were part theater, part sculpture, while pushing the boundaries of technique in cutting, embroidery, and construction. McQueen also led a major French fashion house before focusing on his brand. Museum retrospectives, including Savage Beauty, cemented his impact.

Why he matters: 

McQueen treated fashion as a combination of research and craft, proving that garments can convey complex ideas about history, nature, and identity. He expanded how clothes are shown, using staging so that audiences could feel the concept, not just see it. His work invites young designers to pair technical mastery with brave storytelling. Precision and imagination, together, became his signature.