British designer Lee Alexander McQueen, a pivotal force in fashion from 1990 to 2010, was celebrated as both a conceptual innovator and a technical master. His acclaimed collections interwove the rigorous precision of Savile Row tailoring with the drama of theatrical design and the artistry of haute couture, drawing on a vast array of cultural, historical, and autobiographical references. McQueen’s work was marked by a subversive and allegorical edge, with exquisitely crafted designs that probed complex narratives.

This publication delves into McQueen’s design philosophy by juxtaposing his visionary fashions with related artworks, offering insight into his encyclopedic inspirations—from ancient Greek and Roman motifs to Tibetan silk brocades, 17th-century Dutch painting, Goya’s prints, and Stanley Kubrick’s films. Each pairing reveals the depth of McQueen’s artistic references, displayed alongside pieces from LACMA’s permanent collection. Spanning multiple mediums, cultures, and epochs, this book provides a fresh perspective on McQueen’s legacy, underscoring his meticulous storytelling and artistry in fashion.

Exhibition catalogue and identity. Hardcover, 176 pages, 8.75 × 12.25 inches.

Edited with text by Clarissa M. Esguerra, Michaela Hansen. Text by Meghan Doherty, Linda Komaroff, Leah Lehmbeck, Erin Sullivan Maynes, Rosie Chambers Mills, Mei Mei Rado, Britt Salvesen. Published by the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and Delmonico Books · D.A.P.