Evening gown
Brand
Alexander McQueen
(English, founded 1992)
Designer
Alexander McQueen
(1969 - 2010)
Fall 2007
Rayon, silk velvet, and bugle beads
Museum purchase
Object number2013.2.1
This evening gown by Alexander McQueen, densely embellished with a cascade of beaded golden tresses, was part of a collection inspired by witches. This reference underscores the power associated with hair in folklore and mythology. McQueen’s aggressive and sexual fashions polarized audiences and he was often accused of misogyny. But his “perverse” and transgressive aesthetic was probably more about himself than about real women. After a collection inspired by Joan of Arc, McQueen said, “Anyone can be a martyr for their cause. Maybe I was a martyr for homosexuality when I was six.”
DescriptionDark green velvet long sleeve evening gown with hand beaded amber gold bugle beads in a falling hair tresses pattern at upper dress and diminishing towards hem; fitted, flared skirt with train; high band collar; distressed fabric surfaceCollections
Exhibitions