Last night came the turn of Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, her third presentation at the helm of the British design house. Focused on "feminity and womanhood" and with nods to Madame Grès, Spanish Catalan architect Gaudí and the primordial Earth-goddess Gaia, the 33-look collection incorporated cinched waists, microscopic pleats, interlocking metal body-jewellery, oyster print silk chiffon, laser-cut leather, coral and shell embellishments and a succession of extraordinary swimming-cap-like headpieces.
Like her predecessor, Sarah Burton understands the importance of a 'full look'; every aspect (from accessories to hair and beauty) carefully considered and seamlessly executed. To get an understanding of the McQueen woman for A/W11, photographer Alex Brunet captured the backstage team hard at work, adding finishing touches to the exquisite couture-like garments and literally stitching the girls into lace and embroidered headpieces, as striking as those Lee himself introduced to former collections.
Text by Laura Bradley
