Lee Alexander McQueen was pronounced dead in his home on this, the first day of Fashion Week. He was 40 years of age, living in London. Overshadowing what was otherwise a delightful first of the last days at the Tents at Bryant Park, I can say first hand that not one show was watched without thinking how this man, ever daring, honestly original with a particularly "rude boy" British sensibility, touched the very heart of the fashion industry worldwide. No one does a show like McQueen -- a veritable Oscar-worthy performance of film, acting, design, music, dancer and technology. Simply, he blew us away - each and every time!
He was, as many recall, a modern genius and his work touched to the core of the industry. Beginning at 16 years of age as an apprentice in tailoring with Anderson and Sheppard of Saville Row, London, he was an artisan of his craft in a time when it is altogether unnecessary to develop one's abilities to such a masterful extent. His designs and shows touched couture, pop culture and street styles, designing each season as a full performance complete with technology, narrative and live performance. Models didn't just walk the McQueen show -- they gave a full out performance in the same manner any Stage Artist. Fashion Moguls, Celebrity Clients, Teachers, Mentors, Lovers, Friends and Directors worldwide have honed in on his tragic demise, with John Hitchcock of Saville Row quoted as saying "Most ladies have worn something inspired by McQueen. I would like to say thank you to him for his influence in giving young people an interest in tailoring"
Indeed, Lee McQueen was a great among us. Like many of the great masters he sacrificed his life to his vision, his aesthetic and his art. We love him and his work. And we will miss him dearly.
But I also want to say here and I'm sure I'll be flogged for doing so, but please just consider a moment these events which were so recently brought to my attention: What about the girl who survived 15 days with only bath water, under rubble in Haiti to LIVE? Surely she doesn't have too much proof that there is anything too exciting to live for, but she values the opportunity besides. Or to the poor girl who will have no more opportunity as just a few days ago she was BURIED ALIVE, tied and bound by her relatives for talking to Boys in the southern part of NO NOT Afghanistan, but the very 'western' nation, TURKEY! These are the people in the world with truly devastating problems and it could be a sound argument that there is nothing so interesting to really live for -- but for their own dreams and ideas! I am just an itsy bit pissed that McQueen didn't value his own life, success and work more -- especially when so many others would have gone naked in a snowstorm to have even one ounce of his wealth, privilege, luck of a good birthplace and success. That said, May God Rest His Soul and may we all learn something besides.
Love and LIFE!
Mdme. B.
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