Alexander McQueen

This is the first full-length biography of Alexander McQueen, the British designer whose reputation for privacy was matched by the intensity of his work. Its central question is how his darkest creative impulses were tied to the troubles of his personal life.

McQueen grew up in East London as the son of a taxi driver, then rose to the top of the fashion world, where his clothes were worn by some of the most admired women and members of the royal family. The Duchess of Cambridge chose one of his gowns for her wedding day. His luxury label grew into a major business, and his circle included celebrities such as Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell. Beneath the self-assured image and rebellious reputation, however, was a far more fragile person, and the constant demands of the industry took a heavy toll. Drug dependence deepened as the pressure increased, and his many unsuccessful romantic relationships added to his sense of despair. The book also looks at troubling private secrets that reportedly kept him awake at night. He died in February 2010, at the age of forty.

Wilson draws on accounts from McQueen's family, friends and former lovers, several of whom speak publicly about him for the first time. Their recollections present a divided and vulnerable man, a young outsider trying to find his place in a demanding world. The biography includes photographs that have not been published before and aims to correct errors and challenge long-repeated myths about the designer's life.

The result is a detailed account for readers interested in McQueen's fashion, his public image, or the hidden personal history behind a celebrated career. It offers new perspective on the sources of his creative talent.