Alexander McQueen - Der Film (McQueen)
U.K. 2018

Opening 29 Nov 2018

Directed by: Ian Bonhôte, Peter Ettedgui
Writing credits: Peter Ettedgui

Who is Alexander McQueen? Most know of the fashion house, the tragic death of the eponymous designer, and the wedding dress worn by Kate Middleton in her wedding to Prince William. However, what does the average person know about Lee Alexander McQueen, the avant-garde designer whose outrageous fashion took the world by storm? Ian Bonhôte and Petter Ettedgui’s documentary delves deep into the background of the Lee McQueen from his earliest days as an apprentice tailor on Savile Row to the heights of his success as one of the most respected designers in the world. Using home footage and interviews with family, friends, and colleagues, a touching portrait is revealed of a man with a unique talent who was plagued by insecurities and depression throughout his life. These struggles would eventually lead to his untimely death at the age of 40.

Not only is McQueen a touching portrait of the designer, but it also highlights the development of his work, making it quite the tribute to Lee McQueen’s growth and determination as an artist. His personal life is woven in and out of footage from some of his most iconic fashion shows and collections, from his earliest work following his time at Central Saint Martin’s College of Art and Design to his time with Givenchy and beyond. It is truly impressive to see McQueen’s work progress and to hear firsthand from colleagues and friends about what his creative process was and how it influenced his work. Bonhôte and Ettedgui seamlessly weave stories of Lee McQueen’s life with his work creating a fascinating insight into the psychology of the artist and his art. A top-notch and accessible documentary, McQueen is not only for those who love haute couture, but for anyone who wants to appreciate fashion as art and gain understanding of the life of the artist behind some of the most impressive fashion of the past several decades. (Rose Finlay)