Designer: Alexander McQueen
Season: Spring/Summer 2005
Date of Presentation: October 7, 2004
Inspired by a live chess match, It’s Only a Game explored themes of power, strategy, and spectacle. The runway show transformed models into chess pieces on a life-sized board, blending conceptual storytelling with high fashion. Each look was meticulously crafted to symbolize a specific chess piece, embodying its role and stature through design and color.
Key designs featured horsehair skirts with leather bodices (knight), tiered crimson lace gowns (queen), and tailored suiting with metallic embellishments (rook). The collection utilized materials such as leather, silk, lace, and synthetic textiles, with adornments including embroidery, appliqué, and metallic hardware. The color palette—black, white, red, and gold—reflected the chessboard motif.
This collection represents a pivotal moment in McQueen's career, blending fashion with theatrical performance. Described by McQueen as “a chess game where East meets West,” it stands as a testament to his innovation and multidisciplinary approach. Widely regarded as one of his most iconic works, It’s Only a Game continues to influence the fashion and performance art worlds.
The collection has been featured in notable exhibitions, including Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty at The Metropolitan Museum of Art (2011) and the Victoria and Albert Museum (2015). Supporting materials, such as sketches, fabric swatches, and audiovisual documentation, remain preserved in excellent condition.
