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Not on display

Plato's Atlantis

Dress
2010 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Alexander McQueen (1969-2010) was one of the most innovative British designers of the late 20th century. His work consistently combined precise tailoring techniques with a futuristic vision. He was at the vanguard of a group of designers who embraced extraordinary theatricality and conceptual presentation. This dress forms part of McQueen's Spring/Summer 200 collection. The design features a vibrant, digitally printed textile with layered photographic images of a variety of reptile skins. Shown on the catwalk with vertiginous, claw-like shoes, the look dominated fashion pages and commentary in the months after McQueen's fashion show. This catwalk presentation was also notable for being one of the first to be streamed live onto the internet, where people could watch it in real time, free of charge.

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Discover more about this object
read Alexander McQueen – an introduction Alexander McQueen was one of the most celebrated fashion designers of his generation, known for his highly original designs that married artistry with exceptional technical ability.

Object details

Categories
Object type
TitlePlato's Atlantis (named collection)
Materials and techniques
Printed silk
Brief description
Dress, digitally printed silk satin and silk chiffon, Alexander McQueen, Britain, Spring/Summer 2010.
Physical description
Silk cocktail dress made from fabric digitally printed with photographic images of reptile skins in a colour palette of greens, blues and yellows. The dress features cap sleeves and a ruched top layer of chiffon over areas of the bodice and skirt. The neckline is a dramatic, low-cut 'v' shape. There is a centre back zip closure. The dress is fully lined.
Dimensions
  • Length: 88cm (total)
  • Waist circumference: 67cm (approx)
  • Shoulders width: 31.5cm
  • Width: 44cm (armpit to armpit)
Production typeReady to wear
Gallery label
Alexander McQueen was one of the most innovative British designers of the late 20th and early 21st centuries. His work combined precise tailoring techniques with a futuristic vision. He was at the vanguard of a group of designers who embraced extraordinary theatricality and conceptual presentation. This dress is a key design from McQueen's Spring/Summer 2010 collection.(3/1/2010)
Object history
The Victoria and Albert Museum purchased this dress the day that Alexander McQueen's death was announced. It is from the last complete collection overseen by the designer.
Summary
Alexander McQueen (1969-2010) was one of the most innovative British designers of the late 20th century. His work consistently combined precise tailoring techniques with a futuristic vision. He was at the vanguard of a group of designers who embraced extraordinary theatricality and conceptual presentation. This dress forms part of McQueen's Spring/Summer 200 collection. The design features a vibrant, digitally printed textile with layered photographic images of a variety of reptile skins. Shown on the catwalk with vertiginous, claw-like shoes, the look dominated fashion pages and commentary in the months after McQueen's fashion show. This catwalk presentation was also notable for being one of the first to be streamed live onto the internet, where people could watch it in real time, free of charge.
Bibliographic reference
Miller, Lesley Ellis, and Ana Cabrera Lafuente, with Claire Allen-Johnstone, eds. Silk: Fibre, Fabric and Fashion. London: Thames & Hudson Ltd in association with the Victoria and Albert Museum, 2021. ISBN 978-0-500-48065-6. This object features in the publication Silk: Fibre, Fabric and Fashion (2021)
Collection
Accession number
T.11-2010

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Record createdMarch 30, 2010
Record URL
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