Alexander Mcqueen Spring/Summer 2024 Fashion Show

Sarah Burton's connection with Alexander McQueen goes beyond the typical relationship between a creative director and a brand. This profound bond is rooted in her close collaboration with Lee McQueen himself before his untimely passing, giving her a deep understanding of the House's heritage on a personal level. Since taking on the role of creative director in 2010, Burton's unique strength has been her ability to pay homage to McQueen's legacy while infusing her distinctive perspective into the brand's future.

In what marks her farewell to Alexander McQueen, Sarah Burton presents her final collection for the Spring/Summer 2024 season before stepping down from her revered position. The show commences with the striking presence of Kaia Gerber, who graces the runway in a sleek black mini dress, cinched at the waist, featuring a keyhole neckline, slashed sleeves, and vibrant red heels. Subsequent pieces in the collection captivate with their haunting beauty, not through theatricality, but rather through wearability, catering to the contemporary Alexander McQueen woman.

Burton shares insight into her creative process, stating, "This collection draws inspiration from the female anatomy, Queen Elizabeth I, the vivid red rose, and the trailblazing and uncompromising artist, Magdalena Abakanowicz. It is a tribute to the memory of Lee Alexander McQueen, who always aimed to empower women, and to the unwavering passion, talent, and dedication of my team," as described in the show's notes.

Throughout the collection, the iconic rose motif, a hallmark of the brand since its earliest days, takes on various forms: adorning a sleeveless leather dress, appearing as a textured crochet knit pattern, shaping the silhouette of a flowing maxi gown, and outlining chunky gold earrings. The color palette remains true to the House's identity, featuring a juxtaposition of black and crimson red with touches of white, gold, and silver. A diverse range of silhouettes and design techniques spans Burton's collection, from form-fitting catsuits to impeccably tailored trench coats, from ruffled maxi dresses to crochet-appliqued tops, and from blazers with artful cutouts to pieces that celebrate the female form in distinctive ways. The inclusion of lace, metallics, and fringe pays homage to McQueen's enduring design signatures.

The show's grand finale features supermodel Naomi Campbell in a stunning silver dress with a peplum corset bodice and a fringe-adorned skirt. As Sarah Burton takes her final bow, concluding her remarkable tenure at Alexander McQueen, the audience rises in a standing ovation to honor her extraordinary contributions to the House.