The World According to Lee McQueen

'When times are hard, fantasy and escapism are crucial' Alexander McQueen Having grown up in Londons East End, Alexander McQueen left school at 15 to become a tailors apprentice on Mayfairs Savile Row. At 22, he joined the prestigious MA course at Central Saint Martins and, after presenting his 1992 graduate collection (bought on the spot by influential fashion stylist Isabella Blow), went on to change the course of fashion. McQueen was defiant in his opinions on creativity (Give me time and Ill give you a revolution), women (I design clothes because I dont want women to look all innocent and nave I want people to be afraid of the women I dress) and craft (Youve got to know the rules to break them. Thats what Im here for, to demolish the rules but to keep the tradition). He drew much of his inspiration from the natural world (I have always loved the mechanics of nature and to a greater or lesser extent my work is always informed by that) and consistently challenged perceptions of beauty (People find my things sometimes aggressive. But I dont see it as aggressive. I see it as romantic, dealing with a dark side of personality). This attractive book in an accessible format is the perfect gift for fans of fashion and Alexander McQueen, capturing the wit and spirit of a true visionary.