Alexander McQueen: Sci-Fi Accent Returns McQueen to Basics
By Mari Davis
Photos by Javier Mateo

PARIS, Mar 5, 2004/ FW/ --- There is no doubt that Alexander McQueen is considered one of the design geniuses among the current crop of designers.

Yet his greatness is defined more by his unpredictability and his unusual choices of inspiration such as his Fall 2004 collection that lacked his usual turbo-charged runway shows but still looked alluring and sexy as ever.

The collection entitled “A Return To Basics” seem to have been inspired, of all things, the unexplainable crop circles usually found in Southern England which was also the inspiration of his stage set – a raised round platform roughly 30 meters wide which in turn was lit by intense circular lights.

With the theme from the movie “Close Encounters of a Third Kind” as background music, the first model appeared in a flesh-pale slippery jersey from top to toe – someone that would turn the head of Agents Mulder and Scully.

Sci-fi accent aside, McQueen’s nude-colored outfits in tweed, double-faced cashmere, leather, jersey, and chiffon looked sexy, even mysterious at times, albeit sometimes they look perfect for cameo roles in the final installment of Star Wars.

So if you see Natalie Porter as Senator Amidalah wearing jumpsuits and A Line coats in quilted micro tubes, tweed suits with boots in mosaic style patterns, strapped up goddess dresses and curvy shearlings with cowls, don’t be surprised.

The interesting part, Natalie Portman can walk into a Broadway play’s opening night and she will totally blend with the theater crowd.

Because that is where Alexander McQueen’s design genius lays – his ability to take something, which can truly be out of this world and make it still look good!

And in the midst of all this sci-fi grandeur, Alexander McQueen showed his humanity the most. When he took his bow, he went to Domenico De Sole, who was sitting front row and gave the outgoing Gucci Group CEO a warm hug.

Alexander McQueen

Alexander McQueen

Alexander McQueen

Alexander McQueen