Alexander McQueen Business to Go on Without Him 2010-02-18 09:40:08

Do You Think the Alexander McQueen Business Should Go on?

February 18, 2010

The decision everyone has been waiting to hear has finally been made: the Alexander McQueen business will go on without him. "We believe in the future of the brand. Lee was very proud of the people working in his company, and so am I," said Robert Polet, president and chief executive officer of Gucci Group. It's too soon to tell who will helm the house — which rakes in about $100 million — but it begs the question, do you think the Alexander McQueen business should go on without him?

Source: WireImage

19 Comments

2 years 35 weeks

McQueens designs are good and should continue. The only reason people vote badly here is because the photo they chose for this poll is disgusting.

shayela 3 years 12 weeks

He said himself in an interview he would want the brand to go on if he passed away. That's as close as we can get to an actual decision, so if that's what he wants, I say definitely respect his wishes, not the fashion community's detached opinions. Although it might change, it doesn't change the fact that a) the original McQueen line existed and flourished, and left its mark on fashion, and b) something new and fascinating might come out of a new vision in the house, even if it receives mixed review due to the fact that...well, nobody is Lee. I think Oliver Theyskens could do well here.

Shop_Oholic 3 years 12 weeks

If you think about it, the bigger McQueen got, the less he did in terms of designing everything.

ModernGraceKelly 3 years 12 weeks

I am unsure. If he left wishes for it to go on then that is one thing. I know all companies have to thrive and go on. People worked for him, and they have jobs they would like to keep. It's not going to be the same as it was before. I had this same feeling when Kevyn Aucoin passed away and his makeup line continued. It is not the same as an iconic fashion house, he was new age in his designs and they have a unique genre on their own.

nikkisoda 3 years 13 weeks

UGH! Undecided. It's the lover of McQueen in me that doesn't want it to end. But by going on it is no longer a true Alexander McQueen. It's like when a lead singer of a band dies. And the band gets a new singer that sounds similar, but not quite right. They keep the name and try to keep the same sound. It rarely works. So I guess I will have to say that there can only be one Alexander McQueen. Often copied, never duplicated.

nikkisoda 3 years 13 weeks

Talldiva45 3 years 13 weeks

I, like many others, am undecided. I would love that the McQueen line continued, but his concept/vision and talent was so unique...headed by another designer would alter the brand inevitably - would not be the same. It seems like a 'Catch 22' ... wish this decision would not have to be made at all :(

ren_kr 3 years 13 weeks

I'm torn as well, but I say that they should find someone with his vision and with the drive to do what alexander mcqueen started out to do. I thought about it like this: If my brand dies with me I'd be a bit sad because I worked so hard for my name to take such importance in people's lives. Wouldn't you want it to live on? - but of course it's all about finding someone who is willing to live up to the task.

98769876 3 years 13 weeks

Is Coco Chanel still alive? No. Most fashion houses original brain aren't alive, yet they still continue to put out.....I say go for it.

3 years 13 weeks

This one is a tough call. McQueen could never be replaced but to shut down the label would mean cutting hundreds of jobs and closing many stores. I hope they are sensitive and find a good solution. I would love for any fab readers to view my new blog, www.democraticfashion.blogspot.com. I would love your comments and suggestions

lil_bit_edgy 3 years 13 weeks

I have mixed emotions about this as well, I agree with ticamorena that people bought into his vision. I think right now it's really fresh and people don't want a replacement. Gucci Group should let the brand rest for now and maybe in a few years time find someone who will bring McQueen's visions to life with a new spin, this has happen with so many labels. I couldn't live in Fashion World without a little Alexander McQueen.

coco von wu 3 years 13 weeks

I'm torn as well. Like it has been said already, no one is going to be able to match his unique creative style nor should anyone try to. However, from reading different articles today, in a recent conversation between the Robert Polet and McQueen they had discussed how: "they had "transitioned from being the name of a designer to putting in place the building blocks of a brand." He recalled McQueen telling him: "That means that will be my legacy. That's something I will always leave behind."I don't think Polet and Gucci Group would be so stupid as to try and find a replacement and attempt a duplicate designer because one doesn't exist. It's a tough situation and decision but if it was McQueen's hope and goal to build a brand then I support the decision, as long as they do it in the proper manner.

coco von wu 3 years 13 weeks

I'm torn as well. Like it has been said already, no one is going to be able to match his unique creative style nor should anyone try to. However, from reading different articles today, in a recent conversation between the Robert Polet and McQueen they had discussed how: "they had "transitioned from being the name of a designer to putting in place the building blocks of a brand." He recalled McQueen telling him: "That means that will be my legacy. That's something I will always leave behind." I don't think Polet and Gucci Group would be so stupid as to try and find a replacement and attempt a duplicate designer because one doesn't exist. It's a tough situation and decision but if it was McQueen's hope and goal to build a brand then I support the decision, as long as they do it in the proper manner.

LisaLockhart 3 years 13 weeks

i kind of have mixed feelings too. I think they should at least finish out the designs he may have been working on, and then just end it from there.

3 years 13 weeks

Gucci should put the label to rest and back a young designer with talent and vision. They should, in essence, give a new kid a break and introduce us to a new talent. Just hiring someone the helm McQueen and try to channel him will be boring.

ticamorena 3 years 13 weeks

Naturally you wish that a decision like this wasn't even taking place, but to be honest, the problem with the McQueen's line is that it was synonimous with the individual himself, and so unique that it wasn't even the brand you bought into, but rather the vision of the man himself; I don't think that could be replicated and if anybody out there is as talented, creative and unique as McQueen was, then they deserve their own line!

3 years 13 weeks

I have mixed feelings on this. I think it will be difficult to find someone who can match his vision, but I understand the attempt to create and maintain a legacy worthy of the vision of a true artist and artisan like McQueen. If they are even partially successful, we could still see some amazing art-to-wear that would not appear under other established names.

AdriNicTrax 3 years 13 weeks

His talent was one of a kind, I think if they would go on, it wouldn't live up to his previous work. There is no other designer that make such amazing/unique pieces as he did. He totally will be missed.

AdriNicTrax 3 years 13 weeks

Link Love

19 Comments

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