I guess it's unfair of me to expect him to outdo himself every time out. Still, it made me miss the theatricality of his past shows, for which he was occasionally chastised. Spring/Summer 1999 literally took my breath away:
NOTE added February 18th, 2008: Alexander McQueen died one week ago today. Some people were surprised that I didn't blog about it immediately, and to be honest, I feel strange writing about it now. I thought about compiling and posting my favourite McQueen pieces, but memorialization feels like a callous exercise to me right now. It's hard to explain the grief over someone whom you never met, yet who profoundly influenced your aesthetic outlook. McQueen's work was more than fashion to me. It was a glimpse at something transcendent, visceral and above all, beautiful. He created the kind of otherworldly beauty that made me wonder and dream. My clumsy words are flat and lifeless against what they deign to describe.
One of my most closely cherished dreams was to one day see a McQueen show live. I think I am mourning the death of that dream and grappling with the fact that there will never be another collection to behold.
I leave my criticisms of his last collection, above, unchanged. My words reflect the fact that I never compared, nor could ever compare, Alexander McQueen to any other designer; I could only compare him to himself. The critique proves that you never appreciate what you have until it's gone. I certainly feel that way, and am sure that history will eclipse my remarks as his last collection becomes edified as his greatest.
I mourn in the most selfish way, in grief for my own loss. I hope that Mr. McQueen has found the peace he sought.
I love Roots leather products: quality, reasonably priced and free of obnoxious logos. 
I saw this bag at the Bally shop in Brisbane. The combination of wool and leather and the simple stripe reminds me of high-quality horse rugs. 
I abhor logo. I make an exception for tasteful applications of the Burberry plaid. 
The most accessible way to incorporate negative space into your wardrobe is by using cut-outs, like this dramatic gown from Marchesa... 
...and this quirky shoe from Proenza Schouler.
Viktor & Rolf rendered cut-outs in three dimensions.
Cultural theorists often refer to a woman's purse as a metaphor for her mystery (I'll spare you the lewd Freudian interpretation). What, then, do we make of this candid bag from Stella McCartney... 
...or this clear innovation from Prada? 
Sheer ruffles from Giambattista Valli 
Sheer was the last look out at Hermès. Notably, this was the only sheer piece in the collection.
This is a great example of contrasting textures from Stefano Pilati for Yves Saint Laurent: the softness of the fabric against the architecture of the necklace. 
The perennial innovator, Gareth Pugh showed layers of shutter-like sheer fabric. While this is an extreme example, consider a top or skirt rendered in this manner.
Use colour make this look softer, like these two sandals from Burberry Prorsum...
...or harder, like this wedge from Givenchy.
Unravelling satin at Prada 
Tribal influences defined the Rodarte collection. These women never fail to make an original statement.
Could we be a little more French, please? Chanel, mais bien sur! 
Classical vines adorned this prim dress at Miu Miu... 
... and this red-carpet showstopper at Marchesa.