Full Circle/New Beginnings

There is perhaps something rather poignant about the date of my first blog. 13/02/2010. To some, an unlucky day; to others it is a preparation for the joyous or melancholic emotions felt on Valentines Day. But to me, and countless others worldwide, it is just days after the death of one of fashion's greatest assets; a true genius of our time, and believe me, I do not use the term 'genius' lightly.

Alexander McQueen or 'Lee' to his loved ones is dead, and his death is reverberating across the world with the force and effect he had in life. His quirky persona and revolutionary designs endeared him to the hearts of many, and the legacy he has now left behind shall be much revered.

This shows that, although some may perceive the world of fashion to be nothing less than fickle (though this is also true), there is something about it that people connect to. Possibly it is the escapism people find within it- it is certainly what appeals most to me; an outlet of creativity amidst an increasingly serious and somber society. We need some frivolity in our lives! It is almost the fickle element of fashion that makes it so wonderful; it is ever changing and the industry gives people a chance to express themselves through a visual spectacle.

McQueen at Paris Fashion Week SS AW09

This ability to say things, not through speech, but merely a colour or material is a powerful force, as in that moment of glimpsing a garment, it reveals something about the designer's character and inner self. To McQueen however, they were 'just clothes'. He ripped and tore and spray-gunned his designs

, pushing the boundaries of art to the extreme. He was labelled a lunatic by many, but then again, so was Picasso, now one of the most influential figures of modern art. McQueen constructed many outrageous shows, but the instant Shalom Harlow was squirted by two paint guns will be forever imprinted within the minds of many, and stands out as the farthest he has gone in terms of shattering the heavily prepared and contrived quality fashion generally had.

However, possibly my favourite McQueen moment, is his 'Kate hologram', where Kate (Moss) appeared as a giant, ethereal yet elegant phantom, moving fluidly and striking a powerful and simply exquisite image.

'Kate Hologram' SS06 (Watch the video on youtube for the full effect.)

Although Alexander McQueen will, and certainly should, be remembered for his outstanding and unique works of

art, it is also important to remember the person behind the designs, and be saddened more due to the loss of a life, than the loss of a designer.

However, fashion, as always, will continue. It will forge the way forward and destroy boundaries. This is because creativity is limitless. Someone's mind cannot be tamed or restricted; it will wander freely, and rightly so. McQueen did not adhere to the conventions of fashion, and lets hope no one else does.