"This is an important move for my menswear and a direction that I have wanted to pursue for a long time," said McQueen. "It gives me the opportunity to design true menswear tailoring - beautifully cut suits in fine fabrics, made to fit the individual."

The move marks a return to Savile Row for McQueen, who from the age 16 was an apprentice with Gieves and Hawkes as well as Anderson and Shepherd. During those formative years, Alexander famously sewed little billets doux into the lining of suits made for Charles, the Prince of Wales.

Huntsman will create 12 individual styles per year designed by McQueen. The designer will source the fabrics himself, and plans novelties like cashmere with super thin filaments of gold to capture light uniquely.

Individual suits, offered in specially engineered fabrics, will take about five months to complete after four to six fittings. The hand-finished suits, priced from around $4,200 to $7,000, will be lined with arctic-white silk-satin. McQueen also intends to offer complimenting overcoats.

Starting in July, the range will be offered by appointment solely through McQueen's boutiques in London, his West 14th Street store in Manhattan (due to open then), and eventually in future signature boutiques in L.A., Milan and Paris.

The house of McQueen was keen to clear up inaccurate trade reports that the bespoke collection will be available at Huntsman's Savile Row headquarters. It will not.