SHOWSTUDIO: OBJECT FETISH

In keeping with our film-centric Wednesday morning, SHOWSTUDIO is featuring a series of short films entitled "Object Fetish," the latest of which features the exquisite "Angel" shoe by Alexander McQueen.

Click here to view the film.

MILAN: ALEXANDER MCQUEEN

Perhaps as a consequence of recent history, Sarah Burton and co. offered a sobering collection for Alexander McQueen. Yet in contrast to the house's last womenswear collection (which was inspired by the art of the Dark Ages, and in itself a break from McQueen's signature runway theatrics), this mens presentation lacked the spiritual, sublime aspects that became de rigueur in McQueen's final designs. What we see now is a bit 2+2=4; a few really fabulous coats, roomy pants, elegantly dyed and constructed sportcoats ... but paired with a hodgepodge of pieces that look illogical in proportion and wearability which ultimately left me confused and a little sad. Tell me, what do you think?

SARAH BURTON TAKES THE REIGNS AT MCQUEEN

The late Alexander McQueen's second-in-command, Sarah Burton, has been appointed creative director of the brand by Gucci Group.

DON'T BE JEALOUS

As you already know, I'm an Alexander McQueen obsessive. It's one of the relatively few traits I have in common with my boyfriend of 8 years. I'm the lousiest gift-giver; if I manage to pick up a gift for anyone, you know it was last minute. Unless I happened to find the perfect gift ahead of time, in which case I will most likely ruin the surprise because I'm terrible at keeping secrets!

Anyway, for our last anniversary, my boyfriend bought us matching McQueen skull rings (he even collaborated with my mom, who's a fabulous jewelry designer, to replace the crystal details with diamonds). Yeah, he's pretty much perfect. Just a few months into the new year, we moved into a new, very glammy-whammy pad. We'd been moved-in just a few weeks when the awful news of McQueen's death hit. My heart was a little bit broken, and the boyfriend was pretty bummed as well. Right then, we both decided to splurge on this black and yellow "Scribble" scarf in honor of our hero's passing. It's honestly to-die-for, but since the limited-edition print is on a very expensive sheet of silk chiffon, neither of us wanted to wear it for fear of damaging it. So, what did we do? We had it framed! And, boy if it doesn't look exquisite!

R.I.P. Lee Alexander McQueen

CATE BLANCHETT WEARS MCQUEEN IN CANNES

MCQUEEN INTOXICATED AT TIME OF DEATH

The coroner assigned to Alexander McQueen following his tragic suicide has confirmed that the designer had significant levels of cocaine, sleeping pills, and tranquilisers in his system at the time of his death.

Visit Vogue.co.uk for more on this story.

Don't do drugs, kids! If you think you have a problem don't be afraid to ask for help.

VOGUE PARIS PAYS TRIBUTE TO MCQUEEN

Vogue Paris pays tribute to Alexander McQueen with an editorial entitled "Erotica," shot by Steven Klein and feauring Lily Donaldson:

see the entire gallery on ENVY.

SHOE (AND BAG) PORN EXTRAVAGANZA!

ALEXANDER WANG

ALEXANDER MCQUEEN

BALENCIAGA

BALMAIN

BRUNO FRISONI

CHANEL

CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN

LANVIN

MARNI

PIERRE HARDY

ROGER VIVIER

SERGIO ROSSI

YVES SAINT LAURENT

STOP THE PRESS!

There is a rumor that Lady Gaga has designed a capsule collection for the house of McQueen ...

Not sure how I feel about this. Lady Gaga for McQueen is set to debut Spring 2011.

NEW YORKER PAYS TRIBUTE TO MCQUEEN

FINAL COLLECTION

ALEXNDER MCQUEEN A/W 2010

See the remaining 11 pieces at fashionindie.

ALEXANDER MCQUEEN F/W 2010

This is the only photograph of the collection published thus far ...

MCQUEEN THE SHOWMAN

ALEXANDER MCQUEEN S/S 1999

Alexander McQueen was the penultimate innovator in almost every aspect of fashion design. He challenged our preconceptions about the defining elements of fashion in so many ways: he blurred the lines between industry and art, merged marketability with creative integrity, and alluded to the dichotomy between the sublime and the macabre. McQueen's most enduring gift to fashion, however, might've been his pioneering approach to the "runway show," a construct that he routinely stripped to the bone and re-invented in his own, inimitable style. In "McQueen, the Showman", Style.com's Sarah Mower recalls an interview with the late, great McQueen regarding his most thrilling presentations ...

NICHOLAS KIRKWOOD FOR RODARTE 2010

I have a profound appreciation for the genius that is Nicholas Kirkwood. Behold his footwear designs for the latest Rodarte collection:

I'm glad the "crazy shoe" (like these by Alexander McQueen, or these from Prada) hasn't fallen out of vogue.

MCQUEEN'S UNSEEN COLLECTIONS

McQ 2010

The passing of Alexander McQueen is still incomprehensible, a wound too fresh to revisit anytime soon. In the wake of his suicide, however, lie two unseen collections, one of which will be shown at Paris Fashion Week and the other for his McQ diffusion label, which can be viewed on ENVY. 

QUOTE

“I'm interested in designing for posterity. People who buy McQueen are going to hand the clothes down to their children, and that's very rare today.”

- Alexander McQueen, Harper's Bazaar

MCQUEEN'S DEATH DIDN'T KILL THE BRAND

The New York Times' fashion blog the Cut is squashing rumors that Alexander McQueen's suicide will force Gucci Group to close the late-designer's label. McQueen fanatics like myself can breathe a sigh of relief since McQueen pretty much completed his F/W 2010 collection before his death (the collection will be shown in Paris, March 11). My boyfriend and I just splurged on a beautiful black and yellow McQueen scarf in a panic; since the awful news broke last week, sales have skyrocketed. The AP ran a similar story on this exciting news, and the Sartorialist is also asking "So ... now what?"

MCQUEEN MOMENT

WHEN I WORKED WITH ALEXANDER MCQUEEN ...

via Fashion Indie

McQueen and his dear friend Isabella Blow, shot by David LaChapelle 1996

Click here to read an interesting article by Frédérique Renaut, a fashion and beauty director who worked closely with the late Alexander McQueen in the '90's when the designer famously took the reigns at Givenchy. The fashion world is still stinging from this tragic loss, and with rumors flying that the house McQueen built might be closed by Gucci Group, enthusiasts and fans the world over are looking to salvage any remaining pieces since they are bound to be highly-coveted collector's items. I thought perhaps Gareth Pugh would make a fitting successor to the label, but then again, who would want to work in the shadow of a man who many considered to be the greatest women's tailor in the world?

THE WORLD MOURNS THE DEATH OF A GENIUS

• Head to Trendhunter Magazine for a slideshow of the late Alexander McQueen's "greatest innovations."
• Online fashion community Envy has a nice tribute page. Join Envy!
• Analysts predict a label closure by Gucci Group, according to The Times.
• Reactions from fashion luminaries and celebrities can be found @ the Cut

I'm still shocked, sad, confused by this tragic loss. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.

R.I.P. Lee Alexander McQueen