Every fashionista was shocked when the news about Alexander McQueen’s suicide came out. The fashion world has definitely lost one of its greatest talents.
McQueen was known as the bad boy and rebellion in the fashion industry as he was able to interpret often antique themes in a futuristic way like no one else. Always one step ahead! Always next level! Always provocative!
When it comes to trends, McQueen is currently most influential with the pattern houndstooth, which he brought back in his autumn/winter collection 2009. You see it everywhere in every size. I have for instance a coat in houndstooth.
I think rebellions are important in every kind of group, society and system as they question traditional ways of thinking and show alternatives.
Sweden’s most successful designers are no rebellions. Compared with McQueen, they are almost a little bit boring. I don’t want that every Swedish designer becomes totally avant-garde but shouldn’t there be one who is wild and crazy? Swedish designers are fantastic but I think they are shy in an international comparison. Very Swedish somehow! Or as they say in Swedish “lagom är bäst”, which means something like “moderation is best”.
The saying is linked to the idea of equality. Everybody is supposed to be equal. Don’t think that you are better than the other ones! Equality is important and should be one of the major aims of a society but sometimes I have the feeling that the aspect of diversity is getting lost in Sweden. As if the saying was: don’t think that you are different than the other ones!
When I was new in Sweden we discussed in my film class that many Swedes consider it is cool to be unswedish (osvensk). At that time I couldn’t understand at all why. Not because I thought that everything in Sweden was so fantastic but I was wondering how a culture could be cool or not cool. Today I understand what my classmates and teacher meant. People who want to be unswedish are tired of sameness and monotony.
Regarding fashion, I think Sweden really needs a rebellion or bad boy/girl who dares to be different and unique: someone like McQueen. Such a rebellion would contribute alternative fashion and also alternative ways of thinking, which could increase diversity in other areas, too.
are you australian?
Report abuse »
No, I’m German. Why?
Report abuse »
this is so interesting! by the way, visit this page http://totellyhandbags.com and you will find everything about handbags for you! see you there!
Report abuse »
If Swedes are so conformist then maybe anything “different” will simply be ignored and the Swedes will continue to wear Gant, Boomerang et al ?
Report abuse »
Interesting remark.
I grew up in Sweden but moved to study fashion at csm 10 years ago. I also worked with Lee while in college and after. He will truly be missed by all of us. My comment on you article would be that Sweden does not set the environment for rebellion. You need a bit of grit and struggle to establish a personality who is willing to question and push things further, and there is no reason for rebellion if you cant back it up with skills and a hell of a lot of talent. In all thats the combination that made Lee such a star.
Report abuse »
I think this comment isn’t very fair.
Although almost every famous brands and designers from Sweden might not be very creative and innovative there is a few exceptions. I mean every famous brand from Sweden doesn’t make grey and dull clothings that you only wear in everyday life.
For example :
Fifth avenue shoe repair.
A famous and very great brand from Sweden. Not VERY famous though.
http://i47.tinypic.com/330zbjq.jpg
(from their S/S 2010 collection)
And even the great Alexander Mcqueen has in some seasons been very dull and boring so it’s not very fair…
Report abuse »
Fifth Avenue Shoe repair is indeed very cool! Cheers Mareike
Report abuse »
I’m German. Why?
Report abuse »
Although almost every famous brands and designers from Sweden might not be very creative and innovative there is a few exceptions. I mean every famous brand from Sweden doesn’t make grey and dull clothings that you only wear in everyday life.
Report abuse »
This article is GREAT it can be EXCELLENT JOB and what a great tool!
Report abuse »