McQueen’s ‘poor’ clothes selling for king’s ransom
CONTROVERSIAL designs created by Alexander McQueen when he couldn’t afford to pay the rent on his studio will fetch a fortune at auction.
The collection was acquired by his friend and former colleague Ruti Danan in the early 1990s when McQueen’s staff were often rewarded with clothing “due to lack of funding” for working long hours.
Some of the most recognisable pieces at the US sale come from McQueen’s controversial Highland Rape collection.The name referred to the English pillaging Scotland but at first the public believed it was influenced by the rape of women.
Treasures for sale include a tartan jacket from 1995.The freebie is now expected to fetch £76,000.
The meticulously crafted couture pieces are largely from 1994-1996 when celebrity favourite McQueen was struggling to launch his own fashion house.
Danan said: “I obtained these items during my time as studio director working for him in London in both Farringdon and Hoxton Square studios.
“Days and weeks without rest and relentless work would be rewarded with garments. I was often asked to wear pieces to meet clients on business trips to demonstrate cut and fit. I rescued a large amount of items from the Farringdon studios when the landlord threatened to lock us out due to unpaid rent.” The sale includes rare garments hand-sewn by McQueen, patterns and sketches, and a photo album of behind-the-scenes studio images.
The auction is to mark the 10th anniversary of the designer’s death. He hanged himself aged 40 in his home in London’s Mayfair.
The sale will be held from Tuesday to Friday by Boston-based RR Auction. It said: “It’s a world-class private collection.This is a once-in-alifetime chance to own a unique portion of fashion history.”