Alexander McQueen Fall/Winter 2020 Menswear Review

Perverse decadence and decay litters the Alexander McQueen Fall/Winter 2020 menswear collection. Ironic because McQueen remains one of the highest regarded and aspirational fashion houses in the world. Champagne moiré suiting, strips of rotting beaded tops, and patchwork mohair showed the twisted elegance one would hope for in a McQueen collection. Also, in McQueen fashion, the impression of romantic flowers and wrapping vines softened the otherwise masculine silhouettes. 

In a fashion landscape trying to be about new, sustainable manufacturing, clothes that define trends and will have a high impact no matter what year is essential. Though the first instinct for sustainable fashion is to use products that don’t harm the environment, in recent years new techniques combined with traditional fashion values have allowed for clothes to last a lifetime. As long as pieces are made with the intention of being timeless, good fashion will be sustainable. Sarah Burton and the rest of the McQueen team have certainly strived for that. Both in menswear and womenswear collections, there is a direct focus on local craftsmanship and fair use of fabrics. Burton and Co. care about who is weaving the fabric and in turn making sure those fabrics are quality and non-harmful.

After the past decade of being deemed costumey, then being too boring, McQueen menswear has found its signature. The gothic aesthetics; the steel capped leather boots, harnesses, jet beading, and blood red accents, mixed with the unparalleled tailoring; notched lapels, excelled shoulders, slim straight legged trousers, come together harmoniously. These clothes are museum-worthy yet are worn out by beautiful men. The McQueen brand today exists on a pedestal: essentially the fashion go-to for royal families and the red carpet. Yet, they aren’t just status symbols, they’re clothes that truly inspire.

Photos Courtesy of Alexander McQueen