“I like things to be modern and still have a bit of tradition. I believe in history.” - Alexander McQueen
Gallery View – Romantic Nationalism Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Six McQueen collections that explore his engagement with the Romantic sublime and the dialectics of beauty and horror are featured as groupings in the galleries — “Highland Rape” (autumn/winter 1995-96), “Number 13” (spring/summer 1999), “VOSS” (spring/summer 2001), “Irere” (spring/summer 2003), “Plato’s Atlantis” (spring/summer 2010), and “Angels and Demons” (autumn/winter 2010-11).
“Cabinet of Curiosities” includes various atavistic and fetishized accessories produced in collaboration with the milliners Dai Rees and Philip Treacy, and the jewelers Shaun Leane, Erik Halley and Sarah Harmarnee. “The Cabinet” also displays video highlights from 10 of McQueen’s renowned runway presentations, including “Joan” (autumn/winter 1998–99), “What a Merry-Go- Round” (autumn/winter 2001–02), and “They Shoot Horses Don’t They?” (spring/summer 2004).
Credits
The exhibition is organized by Andrew Bolton, Curator, with the support of Harold Koda, Curator in Charge, both of the Met’s Costume Institute. Sam Gainsbury and Joseph Bennett, the production designers for Alexander McQueen’s fashion shows, serve as the exhibition’s creative director and production designer, respectively. All head treatments and masks are designed by Guido. The graphic design of the exhibition is by Sue Koch of the Museum’s Design Department. The design for the 2011 Costume Institute Gala Benefit is created by Sam Gainsbury and Joseph Bennett with Raul Avila.
The Museum’s Website, at www.metmuseum.org/ alexandermcqueen, features the exhibition and additional information on these programs.