PARIS, Oct 7, 2005/ FW/ --- With the boxing championship belt as common thread in the collection, Alexander McQueen paid homage to strong women from the fictional ‘Million Dollar Baby’ by Hilary Swank to the mythological goddesses Aphrodite and Isis.

With Gemma Ward in black hose and shoes, wearing a black mini with long sleeves that are slashed making it look like a cape, she looked like a chic version of Batgirl! Yet, that was just the beginning of the references to strong heroines.

Maria Carla in black tuxedo jacket paired with lightly fitted black shorts with the boxing championship belt as the main accessory, it was not hard to think of the Academy Award winning movie starring Hilary Swank as a female boxer.

With the said belt as the main focus, Alexander McQueen sent out gowns, swimsuits (real and fantasy), pleated minis paired with suit jackets on the runway, keeping a very focus and tight collection that are all wearable and commercially viable.

To soften the silhouettes, the London-based designer used bows and accordion pleats as a touch of femininity, an allusion to Aphrodite, Athena, and Hera, the powerful goddesses of Olympus.

Of course, this will not be an Alexander McQueen show without his famous imaginative looks, like the Wonder Woman inspired ensemble of body-hugging mini dresses or the Isis-inspired gowns.

The audience was expecting all of these and they were not disappointed. Alexander McQueen’s surprise – 99% of the collection is actually streetwise and wearable!

Except for those pieces that were obviously made specifically just for the runway show, the retail buyers will have a field day when they visit the showrooms next week.

Alexander McQueen

Alexander McQueen

Alexander McQueen

Alexander McQueen