“He could create clothing that nobody else wanted to, nobody else saw in their imagination. And he did it with great seriousness and flair and whimsy and savagery. I think this exhibit is a wonderful example of that.” – Sarah Jessica Parker

Today marks the opening day of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s exhibit ‘Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty’: a retrospective on the life and work of the designer from his Central Saint Martins postgraduate collection of 1992 to his final runway presentation, which took place after his death in February 2010. In honor of the opening of the exhibit, this year’s Costume Institute Gala at the Met, which took place two nights ago, also fêted McQueen.  For the event, the Met was decorated like a romantic English garden complete with pots of garden roses, trees and hedges, peonies and wildflowers and rustic wood tables decorated with glittering votives. McQueen has truly had a great past week with his presence being felt from London at the Royal Wedding all the way to New York at the Met Gala. He is clearly truly missed. Sharing with you below images of some of my favorite of his legendary pieces of art that are on display at the exhibit. I am thinking I need to plan a trip to NYC before it leaves July 31st. 

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Ladies (and Gentleman) who wore McQueen at the Costume Institute Gala, May 2nd, 2011 (my favorites)

Sarah Jessica Parker in a crystal beaded gown from the Fall 2005 collection, Karen Elson in a Spring 2004 dress, the same one she wore down the runway

Naomi Campbell & Anna Dello Russo, both in Sarah Burton for McQueen designs

Daphne Guiness in Spring 2011 Burton for McQueen

Coco Rocha In Pre-Fall 2011, Hilary Rhoda in Spring 2011, Hilary’s amazing ode to Britain Alexander McQueen clutch from the Spring 2011 collection

Gisele Bundchen in Fall 2005

Hamish Bowles, in classic McQueen tartan

 

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“You’ve got to know the rules to break them. That’s what I’m here for, to demolish the rules but to keep the tradition.” —Alexander McQueen