Alexander McQueen, born Lee Alexander McQueen on March 17, 1969, was a British fashion designer renowned for his groundbreaking creations, audacious catwalk shows, and meticulous tailoring. At just 16 years old, McQueen left school and honed his skills at London’s Anderson & Sheppard, where he tailored suits for notable figures like Mikhail Gorbachev and Prince Charles. His journey continued with stints at other tailors and designers, including Koji Tatsuno in London and Romeo Gigli in Italy. In 1990, McQueen enrolled at Central Saint Martins, where he staged a remarkable fashion show for his master’s thesis. His talent caught the eye of Isabella Blow, a London stylist who purchased his entire first collection. In 1996, he was named British Designer of the Year and later that year took over as the head designer of Givenchy. His designs, characterized by dark romanticism and violent, grotesque elements, left an indelible mark on the fashion world.