Dress

Silk chiffon and sequin dress, 2003/4. Designed by Alexander McQueen.

Alexander McQueen began his career in fashion with an apprenticeship at Savile Row tailor's Anderson and Sheppard, later moving to the neighbouring establishment of Gieves and Hawkes. He developed his knowledge and interest in the shape and cut of historic clothing while working at costumiers Angels and Bermans. Further experiences working for the designer Koji Tatsuno and for Romeo Gigli in Milan eventually led him back to London where he completed and MA in fashion design at Central Saint Martins college in 1994.

McQueen's sharp and dramatic tailoring was feted by the fashion world and in 1996 he was voted British Designer of the Year, an award he would win a further three times in 1997, 2001 and 2003. In 1996 McQueen was appointed Chief designer at the House of Givenchy. This was an uneasy relationship, which lasted until 2001.

McQueen's own label has gone from strength to strength since joining into a partnership with Gucci in 2000. In 2003 McQueen was awarded a CBE. He died in 2010.

This dress from McQueen's Autumn/Winter 2003 collection was the final piece which closed the show. Made from flowing white, pleated silk chiffon it is embroidered with tiny silver sequin flowers and metallic thread, all gathered into an empire waistline and falling in varying layers of length to the hem. The dress was donated to the Museum of London in 2003, by the Museum of London Friends of Fashion.