Paolo Roversi Shoots McQueen’s William Blake-Inspired New Collection

Alexander McQueen has called upon Paolo Roversi to photograph its Spring/Summer 2022 menswear collection, following on from its Autumn/Winter 2021 womenswear collection, which was also shot by the Italian photographer.

The images, which were revealed yesterday, capture creative director Sarah Burton’s latest offering, which takes inspiration from the visionary English poet, painter and printmaker, William Blake. As radical as he was rebellious, Blake (who was recently celebrated in an exhibition at Tate Britain) was active in the late 18th and early 19th century, though his influence stretches into the 21st – something that is evidenced by this collection.

Here, Blake’s illustrations – namely those based on Dante’s Divine Comedy – appear embroidered on a cotton jersey vest, jacquard coat and wool jacket, as well as the bodice of a T-shirt dress and a shirt with exploded ruffle in print cotton poplin and matching trousers.

With a relaxed attitude to gender and a rigorous approach to craft, the collection effuses a sense of beauty and romanticism – much like Blake’s work itself.