When you choose to include Alexander McQueen in your wedding, you know you’re keeping company with some of the world’s most famous fashion elite. Founded in 1992, the Alexander McQueen brand was created by eponymous designer Lee Alexander McQueen. An artist known for his anti-establishment stance, McQueen has produced some rather controversial catwalk designs over the years. However, at the same time, the brand was also creating more commercially-focused collections that were—and still are—adored by the rich and famous.
During his life, McQueen built a brand that has continued to flourish long after its creator, who sadly passed away in 2010 at just 40 years old. Sarah Burton, McQueen’s right-hand design aid for some years, has since taken over as the new creative director of the Alexander McQueen brand.
McQueen with Isabella Blow, his mentor. Source: Variety
The McQueen brand is known for creating dramatic, darkly romantic dresses. Their gowns often have ethereal, theatrical qualities—qualities that match the magic and spectacle of a wedding quite perfectly. McQueen was regularly commissioned to design wedding dresses for his famous friends.
The Famous McQueen Dresses
Under Burton’s leadership, Alexander McQueen continues to make stunning wedding dresses for clients from the worlds of modelling and cinema as well as nobility and royalty. Some of the world’s most dramatic wedding dresses have been created under the McQueen brand, and many of these were worn by the most famous brides of our time.
Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen Bridal Collections. Source: Woman Getting Married
Kate Winslet in Alexander McQueen for her marriage to Jim Threapleton in 1998. Source: Refinery29
A Touch of Alexander McQueen
If you dream of marrying in McQueen but don’t want to commit to a wedding gown, consider a pair of shoes or a stunning clutch bag—pretty with the edgy touches expected from the brand.
From the Spring/Summer ’11 runway. Gold embossed leaf skull box clutch with brass with gold finish. Source: All Handbag Fashion
Alexander McQueen’s gorgeous Crystal-embellished embroidered suede pumps. Source: Mod Wedding
The Seal of Royal Approval
The most famous of McQueen’s dresses belongs to Kate Middleton, who wore an Alexander McQueen gown in 2011 on the day she became Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge. Kate first noticed Sarah Burton’s work in 2005 while she was attending the wedding of Tom Parker Bowles and his bride Sara Buys, who also wore a wedding dress designed by Burton for Alexander McQueen.
Sara Buys wore a silk and tulle corseted, strapless fishtail-style gown by Alexander McQueen at her wedding to the Duchess of Cornwall’s son in 2005. Source: The Telegraph
Kate Middleton’s famous dress by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, widely reported to cost £250,000. Source: Daily Mail
Kate Middleton in her Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen dress, April 2011. Source: Daily Mail
This famous royal dress was kept under a veil of silence until the day itself when it was revealed that Alexander McQueen had been selected to design the stunning gown. The dress oozed elegance, echoing the beautiful wedding dress with handmade lace worn by Grace Kelly. After the wedding, Burton said that McQueen would have relished seeing his name at the centre of the biggest royal event for decades. Even with his anti-establishment ways, McQueen adored ritual and pageantry.
In addition to Kate’s stunning dress, Burton designed the bride’s elegant wedding shoes and the off-white bridesmaid gown worn by Pippa Middleton on the day.
Kate’s beautiful hand-stitched wedding shoes by McQueen. Source: Daily Mail
The Hand of Genius
Those looking to bring a design by Alexander McQueen himself to their special day can look to the vintage McQueen pieces on offer.
This pale silk chiffon gown with its sculpted curves comes from McQueen’s last collection before his death. Source: Catwalking
A tailored coat in lacquered gold feathers from McQueen’s final collection before his death. Source: Catwalking
A growing number of shops specialise in offering vintage items from the house of Alexander McQueen, giving you the opportunity to wear a unique dress designed by the master himself. Given that wedding pieces are treasured and worn for just one day, many of these dresses and shoes are well-cared for and, thus, in as pristine condition as the articles from new collections.
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