Gucci Save The McQueen

A week after the shocking news that fashion legend Lee McQueen had hung himself at his London home, the decision was made to continue the Alexander McQueen brand by the brand’s major stakeholders; Gucci Group. It is the news that the fashion industry has been waiting on with baited breath and the decision now means that the tribute to this hugely influential artist can be made through the empire he built up with the Alexander McQueen and McQ brands. There appears to be much debate over whether the brand will still work without its founder, whose work was stunningly visual, however, I sense the same optimism that Gucci Group obviously sense. Let’s think about all the highly successful fashion brands that carry the namesakes of their late founders: Gianni Versace, Coco Chanel, Guccio Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent…

I feel that the McQueen brand should find a Creative Director with enough understanding of the brand to incorporate new design inspired by its original flare. I am positive that whoever steps in will make a good job, have some fun with it, and keep the originality that we so loved about Lee McQueen – after all, we will always think of him when we see those skulls, and who could ever want to forget those shoes?