Retroperspective:
Alexander McQueen

Inspired by my fascination with the life and work of the British fashion designer, I curated and designed Retroperspective: Alexander McQueen. This fascination grew after I visited the Victoria and Albert Museum's Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty exhibition, one of the most visceral, well-executed, and immersive exhibitions I have ever encountered. It was an experience that not only captivated me but also ignited my passion for research and curation, delved into further throughout my academic and professional career.

As I delved deeper into McQueen’s career, work and subsequent shows, I noted a number of photographers who frequently documented his runway shows, backstage moments, and personal life. I realised how complex and multifaceted one’s life and career can be—particularly for someone in the public eye. While McQueen’s fashion aesthetic and the cause of his death are widely known, the chaotic backstage scenes of his shows, his struggles with career and industry, declining mental health, and the circumstances surrounding his tragic death are not.

Further research into the McQueen focussed oeuvre of each photographer, I realised their subject matter differed significantly. From the produced runway shots we expect from a show, to fly on the wall captures of McQueen’s working processes, through to his artistic collaborations with Nick Knight, perhaps exposing the designer’s subconscious. This was the journey I wanted to bring to the viewer, introduced to his work through overt imagery through to a more voyeuristic lens.

I combined the words "retrospective" and "perspective" to title this exhibition because it not only looks back at McQueen’s body of work but also offers a fresh perspective on the designer. The exhibition aims to shed light on what transpired behind the scenes in his studio, backstage, and within his creative mind, ultimately reshaping how viewers perceive him. It’s a journey through McQueen’s genius, his vulnerability, and the complexities of his legacy.