Happy Sunday Everyone! Hope you guys have had a lovely week! The weather has been amazing here recently, Summer is finally making its way over! Which is amazing for me but not so good for my wallet! #SummerHaulComingSoon! This week I went to the V&A museum to visit the Alexander McQueen Savage Beauty exhibition, now anyone who knows will know how much of a big deal this was for me. Ever since my interest in fashion began McQueen has been my greatest inspiration, his visions and creation speak volumes to me and I really value his incredible contribution to the world of Fashion.
Jellyfish ensemble and Armadillo shoes | Artist: Alexander McQueen | Date: Plato’s Atlantis, S/S 2010 Credit line: Model: Polina Kasina, © Lauren Greenfield/INSTITUTE
The day started off super early in the morning, the train tickets were booked for 8.30 and it takes me a while to get ready! I was up at about five but I did that thing where you just lay in bed for a while ... it was about quarter to six before I physically got out of bed and hopped in the shower! An hour and a half later I was ready ... ish! Just had to pop on my Chelsea Boots and I was on my way to pick up the girls. We got to the station just in time to grab some breakfast before we had to board the train! It was a little bit awkward when we got on to the train because someone was sat in our reserved seats ... uhoh! Don't worry, he moved haha! Before we knew it, we were in London and waiting to use the toilets, now for me this was no problem I was in and out within a matter of minutes but the girls were still queuing when I got out! No idea why its always so busy for the girls bless 'em! It started to get a bit frantic because our slot for the exhibition was 10.30 and it was already 10.15 before we had reached the V&A and on my email it said that I had to pick up the tickets from the box office! As soon as we got there I ran over to a lovely lady who said that I could just show them the email and I'll be okay!
As we queued to go into the exhibition I was super excited, nervous and quite hot ... we HAD just ran to the V&A! But as we walked in to the very first room entitled 'London', it seemed like all of my emotions were stripped and I almost felt surrounded by an intimidating presence. There was a screen which acted as a backdrop to some of McQueens work, there was a mass variety of silhouettes and seasons, it was almost a preview of what was to come. As we stood there staring at the pieces, McQueens voice bellowed through the room. I was quite literally speechless.
Installation view of 'London' gallery | Artist: Alexander McQueen Savage Beauty at the V&A | Date: 2015 | Credit line: Victoria and Albert Museum, London
'Savage Mind' was a lot less intense, the room was a lot brighter but kept quite a cold environment from the first installation. This room showcased McQueens exquisite tailored work, I have always admired the way he creates more than just a traditional suit. McQueen has always been known for bending the rules and this is more than evident in the infamous 'Bumster' trousers that were on display. One of the things that caught my eye was the dust that was on one of the jackets. Now I know this may sound really weird but the dust made everything feel so real. This was Alexander McQueens work, untouched, unkept and raw.
Installation view of 'Savage Mind' gallery | Artist: Alexander McQueen Savage Beauty at the V&A | Date: 2015 | Credit line: Victoria and Albert Museum, London
The next installation was my favourite of them all, the 'Romantic Gothic' installation. This room was filled with McQueens most extravagant pieces and it was so inspiring. One of my favourite dresses was displayed as the central piece in a large glass case framed with gold detailing. The pieces displayed were actually some of the very last made by McQueen before he passed away In contrast to the very dark pieces showcased on the opposite of the room they almost seemed ethereal and angelic.
Installation view of 'Romantic Gothic' gallery | Artist: Alexander McQueen Savage Beauty at the V&A | Date: 2015 | Credit line: Victoria and Albert Museum, London
I have always admired the way McQueen broke the boundaries of fashion and created pieces out of materials that were out of the ordinary, the next installation portrayed this perfectly. Walking into the Romantic Primitivism installation was like walking into a cave, the walls were lined with bones and skulls. Each piece was presented in an opening and was highlighted with the use of spotlights. Many of the pieces were created with abnormal materials such as hair, mud, latex and animal skulls.
Installation view of 'Romantic Primitivism' gallery | Artist: Alexander McQueen Savage Beauty at the V&A | Date: 2015 | Credit line: Victoria and Albert Museum, London
The Romantic Nationalism installation was another one of my absolute favourites, there was an instant royal atmosphere as you entered the room. One of the most opulent pieces was displayed in an elevated stand in the centre of the room. Along one side of the room there were pieces from McQueens 'Widows of Culloden' collection and on the other pieces from 'The Girl Who Lived In The Tree'. One of my highlights from this particular room was the headgear, absolutely beautiful works of art!
Installation view of 'Romantic Nationalism' gallery | Artist: Alexander McQueen Savage Beauty at the V&A | Date: 2015 | Credit line: Victoria and Albert Museum, London
The most overwhelming room was definitely 'Cabinet Of Curiosities', I'm sure this was the largest room of all the installations however it was also the busiest. What seemed like the storage room of some McQueens most elaborate pieces, I almost felt as if I was in McQueens mind. The one thing that caught mine and Artis eye was the 'Armadillo' shoe ... I cannot imagine how the models walked in them, they were massive! We spent the most time in this room because there was just so much to take in, it was absolutely breath taking.
Installation view of 'Cabinet of Curiosities' gallery | Artist: Alexander McQueen Savage Beauty at the V&A | Date: 2015 | Credit line: Victoria and Albert Museum, London
The next installation was 'Romantic Exoticism' the collection displayed had an immediate oriental feel, each piece was displayed on a rotating mirror podium. It took us a while but as we studied the pieces it was apparent that the collection was also inspired by the sea and it's creatures. Within the appliqued designs were tiny hand stitched sequins that glistened in the soft light.
Installation view of 'Romantic Exoticism' gallery | Artist: Alexander McQueen Savage Beauty at the V&A | Date: 2015 | Credit line: Victoria and Albert Museum, London
'Voss' was the most technically interesting installation, it was a literal re-creation of the Voss fashion show which was set in an Asylum. The mannequins were dotted around the box whilst the backdrop screen slowly revealed the infamous naked lady. Once she was revealed the lights within the box began to dim and like magic turned into a mirrored box just like the show!
Installation view of 'Voss' | Artist: Alexander McQueen Savage Beauty at the V&A | Date: 2015 | Credit line: Victoria and Albert Museum, London
I don't have an image for the next installation but it was the hologram of Kate Moss, oh my this was amazing. It was eerie and intriguing but it demanded all of your attention. We then walked through to the installation entitled 'Romantic Naturalism' this was another one of my favourite installations. I know I've said that about pretty much all of them but it's true! I love the use of flowers to create softness in the collection but in true McQueen style this was contrasted with harsh accessories and silhouettes. My favourite piece is the second from the left, although I love the headpiece on the central look.
Installation view of 'Romantic Naturalism' gallery | Artist: Alexander McQueen Savage Beauty at the V&A | Date: 2015 | Credit line: Victoria and Albert Museum, London
The final installation 'Platos Atlantis' was also McQueens final runway show, the ending to the exhibition was extremely bittersweet. It was so interesting to see the pieces from the collection up close due to the amount of detail that was present however I didn't want it to end and I wanted more. It was almost quite an abrupt ending, although I guess that was also the unfortunate reality about McQueens life. I completely understand why this installation was the last however for a collection so meaningful the room lacked the same attention to detail that the others had.
Installation view of 'Platos Atlantis' gallery | Artist: Alexander McQueen Savage Beauty at the V&A | Date: 2015 | Credit line: Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Although I left the V&A wanting more, looking back and reminiscing about the exhibition has made me realise what an amazing opportunity this was. I don't think you need to be into fashion to appreciate the exhibition. Each room, each installation, each piece is so fascinating and thought provoking you almost feel in a trance whilst at the exhibition. If you can get to London, go see it whilst you can! It's such an immense experience and I am so thankful that I had the chance to be in the same room with some of the most groundbreaking designs in fashion history.
"I want to be the purveyor of a certain silhouette or a way of cutting, so that when I'm dead and gone people will know that the twenty-first century was started by Alexander McQueen"
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