Upgrade your everyday look with Alexander McQueen’s remastered classics

When it comes to contemporary fashion, few houses boast the same level of esteem as storied British label Alexander McQueen. Furthermore, 2022 will mark 30 years since London-born McQueen burst onto the scene with his headline-grabbing debut collection, Jack the Ripper Stalks His Victims. A feast for the eyes, many of the tensions McQueen explored with this collection would go on to become hallmarks of his distinctive aesthetic; from the deft reimagining of everyday pieces with a couture-like approach to cut, quality and detail to the potent dichotomy between wild fantasy and harsh reality. From this point on, despite – or perhaps powered by – McQueen’s reputation as a provocateur, his eponymous brand grew exponentially.

By the time of McQueen’s death in 2010, the label had become a household name, synonymous with needle-pushing luxury – a reputation that Sarah Burton, his successor, has carried on and brought to soaring new heights in the years since. After all, no other designer could transform McQueen’s legacy in the way that Burton – who rose through the ranks of the house, transitioning from intern to right-hand woman – could. A year after taking the mantle of the London-based label, Burton dressed the Duchess of Cambridge, Catherine Middleton, for her wedding day. This milestone represented a new era for the label – one defined by romance and refinement – however, Burton never lost sight of the wearability and trickle-up inspiration that made Alexander McQueen such a force for change within the world of high fashion.

Fast-forward to 2021 and that’s never been more true. Coming off the back of a year when women across the globe found their relationship with the clothes hanging in their closets changed immeasurably, Burton has debuted a pre-fall collection that speaks to this singular moment in a way that is urgent, apt and beautiful. As ever, she has perfectly judged the mood and has anticipated the pieces women want to wear right now. Inspired by 2020’s shift towards practicality and classic pieces, Burton has remastered the closet staples on which so many women rely, elevating them without losing their inherent effortlessness. From an MA1 bomber jacket transformed into a statement coat, by the addition of a full skirt and ruched sleeves, to a voluminous and ethereal iteration of the failsafe shirt-dress and elegant separates that promise maximum style mileage, the collection is perfect for discerning dressers who are ready to dip their toe back into the world of fashion.

Of course, it would be impossible to discuss Burton’s latest offering without a thorough dissection of her covetable accessories. We already know from the ubiquity of Alexander McQueen’s cult sneakers that Burton has a Midas touch when it comes to shoes, a talent that was on full display this season. Fashion insiders across the globe are sure to have Alexander McQueen’s chunky-soled Chelsea boots and loafers on constant rotation for the foreseeable future. Elegant but with an edge, they promise to add personality to any look they’re paired with. True to form, Burton’s design mastery also extends to handbags which, this season, are defined by a sense of practicality and polish. From super-sized totes to elevated hobo styles and exquisitely crafted bucket bags, these sumptuous pieces boast room for all your daily essentials, and then some – providing the perfect finishing touch to any outfit.

In short, consider Alexander McQueen’s latest stellar collection is a sartorial cheat sheet for rediscovering the fun and escapism that fashion offers, without having to say goodbye to the comfort and practicality that has defined the last year. With this pre-fall offering, Burton has showcased her innate and enchanting ability to imbue a woman’s everyday life and look with the magic of truly great design.

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