Thursday Throwback 2015: Alexander McQueen Savage Beauty at the V&A

This week (6th August 2025) the V&A posted on instagram that it has been a decade ‘since Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty cast its spell over V&A South Kensington.’ The response to this post has been phenomenal. Over 14,000 likes and a copious amount of comments – all saying the same thing – “This is the best exhibition I have ever seen!” And I couldn’t agree more, each room was a visual feast of exceptional design combined with an emotional charge that comes from the exploration of mortality.

Here we revisit my original review, published 18th April 2015, and enjoy Alexander McQueen’s continuing inspiration…

It has been over a month since Alexander McQueen – Savage Beauty opened its doors at London’s V&A and yet the tickets keep selling and the crowds keep coming. The allure of this exhibition goes further than fashion; you could say that McQueen was more of an artist; his inspiration and creativity ran far deeper than a successful career in well-cut clothes.

To view his work in close detail from his MA graduate collection through to his final A/W 2010 designs is a privilege, and I would suggest a compulsory must-see for fashion design students. From the very first room you can hear McQueen’s words of wisdom echoing around the space.

“Of course I make mistakes. I’m human. If I didn’t make mistakes, I’d never learn. You can only go forward by making mistakes.” – Alexander McQueen

He was also an advocate for completely understanding your craft before creating your own signature.

“You’ve got to know the rules to break them. That’s what I’m here for, to demolish the rules but to keep the tradition.” – Alexander McQueen

The exhibition spans 244 items across 10 very different rooms that take you on an emotional journey complete with sound, film and décor, each room explores key concepts within McQueen’s work, focusing on a specific collection. More than just a selection of well-put-together aesthetics McQueen captivates with his creative interpretations on nature, culture, religion and quite often, death.

“I oscillate between life and death, happiness and sadness, good and evil.” – Alexander McQueen

The room entitled ‘The Cabinet of Curiosities’ makes you feel like a small ant trapped inside a jewellery box packed with gems, your eyes frantically dart around at the boxed treasures displayed from floor to ceiling, which includes designs, video footage and accessories. Meanwhile, McQueen’s iconic spray-painted trapeze dress worn by Shalom Harlow rotates in the centre in the room while all you can do is gaze at the wonder of it all.

McQueen described himself as a “romantic schizophrenic” and his notion of mortality and the fleeting presence of beauty are present in much of his work. In particular the ethereal film of Kate Moss, a poignant finale to The Widows of Culloden collection, that featured the model suspended in yards of flowing chiffon slowly fading away until just a mere speck of light that finally explodes into the darkness.

As you leave the exhibition the final quote reads: “There is no way back for me now. I’m going to take you on journeys you’ve never dreamed were possible.” – Alexander McQueen – you can’t help but feel sad that this refreshing creative talent – that left school with just one O-level and through sheer passion, graft and vision created this incredible body of work – is no longer with us.

Images courtesy of the V&A

Review by JoJo Iles