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Lee Alexander McQueen was born in London in 1969. His father was a taxi driver and his mother was a social science teacher. The youngest of six siblings he showed an interest in fashion from an early age, designing dresses for his three sisters and expressing an interest in becoming a fashion designer. Although initially against it, his parents would later become very supportive and proud of his accomplishments.

          At 16, McQueen left school and started an apprenticeship with Savile Row tailors Anderson & Sheppard. He then joined Gieves & Hawkes before moving on to theatrical costumers Angels & Bermans. The skills the acquired on Savile Row earned him a reputation as an expert in creating an impeccably tailored look.

          In his early 20s, McQueen moved to Milan , Italy to work as an assistant with Romeo Gigli and subsequently returned to London in 1991 to tutor as a pattern cutter at the prestigious Central St Martin’s College of Art and Design. However, the director of the school was so impressed by his portfolio that he was asked to enrol as a student, even though he had no formal education. He received his master’s in fashion design and his entire graduation collection was purchased by fashion stylist Isabella Blow. 

          Never one to shy away from controversy, McQueen’s early runway shows earned him the titles of ‘l’enfant terrible’ and ‘the hooligan of English fashion’ for his outlandish and often shocking creations which included ‘bumsters’, the precursors of low-rise trousers. Launched in 1996, bumsters immediately caused controversy due to their crevice-revealing cut. Another contribution to the fashion-world is his signature high-heeled shoes.

Image:  Ever one to be innovative, Alexander McQueen was the first to use Indian models in his London shows. In 1998 he caused a stir in the fashion world by having double amputee Aimee Mullins model his creations on a pair of hand-carved wooden prosthetic legs.          In 1996 he was appointed Head Designer at Givenchy – a position he took over from John Galliano. Following an initial unsuccessful collection, McQueen toned down his creations somewhat until he left Givenchy in March 2001 because he felt he was ‘constraining his creativity’. Alexander McQueen was one of the youngest designers to win the title of British Designer of the year. He achieved this honour four times between 1996 and 2003. In 2004 he won the Men’s Designer of the Year Award. He was also awarded the CBE and named International Designer of the Year at the Council of Fashion Designer Awards. In December 2000, Gucci acquired 51% of his company with McQueen serving as Creative Director. Alexander McQueen opened boutiques in London , New York , Los Angeles , Milan and Las Vegas . With celebrities like Nicole Kidman, Penelope Cruz, Sarah Jessica Parker and Rihanna wearing his designs to various events, his popularity continued to grow. McQueen was an edgy designer who breathed new life into the somewhat staid and conservative British fashion industry. He was a dream-come-true for every fashionista looking for avant-garde clothing which is sure to catch the eye and the imagination. Alexander McQueen elevated his cat-walk shows to theatrical productions where it was not just about the clothes but about the whole image including the very prominent make-up.

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Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images Europehttp://www.zimbio.com/pictures/JMn-yD-XHsT/Alexander+McQueen+Paris+Fashion+Week+Ready/yoPndBM5U0U  

          Alexander McQueen died at his home in London on February 11, 2010 from an unconfirmed suicide a few days after the death of his mother.