McQueen, Alexander (1969- )

English fashion designer. Known for his innovative designs and controversial shows, he was head designer of Givenchy in Paris, France, from 1996 to 2001. He was named British Designer of the Year in 1996, 1997, and 2001.

Dubbed the ‘bad boy of British fashion’, McQueen left school at 16. He was apprenticed to the tailors Anderson and Sheppard, and later Gieves and Hawkes, in Savile Row, London. With no previous formal qualifications he completed a master's degree at Saint Martin's College of Art, London. His designs were discovered by fashion editor Isabella Blow, who bought his whole collection. After working with designers Koji Tatsuno and Romeo Gigli, he launched his own line of clothing in 1992.

Known for his combination of masterful tailoring and extreme touches, he also gained attention for his theatrical fashion shows - such as ‘13’, ‘The Overlook’, and ‘Eye’ - and use of shock tactics; for example, he used beetle blood and human hair in an early fashion show and called a later collection ‘Highland Rape’.

The fashion giant Gucci acquired 51% of his company in 2000, and he remained as creative director. His clothes are sold in London, New York, Milan, Paris, and Tokyo.