It was a mournful start to Fall 2010 Fashion Week as the industry grieved fashion icon Lee Alexander McQueen whose namesake label, Alexander McQueen, inspired a whole generation of fashion designers and infused consumers with the courage to experiment. His edgy, dramatic costume-style, dark romantic undertone, mile-high heels and ability to singlehandedly resurrect the skull and cross bones won over the hearts of peers, consumers and artists across the globe. Nationwide, stores witnessed an immediate surge in McQueen apparel and accessory sales. Barney’s showcased a shadow box picture of McQueen in their Madison Avenue storefront window. Tributes poured in last Friday as fans put flowers, cards and other memorials outside of McQueen’s New York and London stores.

Both the art and fashion industries are verse in McQueen and influenced by his work.  His aggressive approach helped his peers stand out and experiment. Regardless of whether or not the label remains, his presence will be wholly missed. He leaves behind a legend laced with the courage to embrace possibility, and for that, the industry is forever grateful.

McQueen’s Fall 2010 show was canceled in light his death, but for the rest of designers, the show must go on. Beauty was on the brains of Badgley Mischka, Christian Siriano, and Marc Jacobs; the latter of whom is truly coming into his own. Marc Jacobs went back to basics or back to investment dressing, leaving behind youthful yet schizophrenic trends and taking his look back home. Alice & Olivia, Bensoni, Rodarte and Catherine Malandrino took Gothic through the jungle providing Fall 2009’s rocker look with a more earthy edge. Stacey Benet threw the after party of the year with performer Little Wayne and Blink 182’s Travis Barker.

Despite frigid weather, salt stained shoes and grievances, Fall 2010 Fashion Week was a wonder to behold. Each season the artistic elements - from the “set” to hair and make-up, the music to model’s staging - grows up. In New York, the global center of fashion, the evolution of Fashion Week is occurring right before our eyes. So for this week in shopping, put aside your Wall Street Journal, turn off Bloomberg and revel in the glory of an industry filled with possibility beyond our wildest imaginations.

In loving memory of Master Lee Alexander McQueen.

Emma Dinzebach

Digg      Del.icio.us     Technorati     Reddit     Tweet This
Share on Facebook