Fashion

Sarah Burton Discusses the History and Future of Alexander McQueen at Forces of Fashion

Sarah Burton takes Vogue’s Sarah Mower on a tour of Alexander McQueen’s Bond Street store and latest exhibition, Roses, while discussing the importance of fashion’s past and future for Vogue’s Forces of Fashion conference….

Seeing Alexander McQueen’s Sarah Burton in conversation with Vogue’s Sarah Mower is the ultimate peek behind the curtain of the brand. What’s more, the designer rarely grants interviews—and even more rare is an interview on film—making this 25-minute Forces of Fashion conversation about as exclusive as it gets.

Burton and Mower met in the upper room of McQueen’s Bond Street flagship store in London, which has been transformed into a studio. “When I very first started at McQueen, we didn’t have desks, we only had one big pattern-cutting table in the studio,” Burton says of the room’s setup. The idea is to promote fashion and demystify the creation process to all visitors of McQueen’s store. “Anybody can come. Schoolchildren come, teenagers come, grandparents come,” Burton continues. “It’s really a space for everybody to see how we put the collection together.”

Image may contain Sitting Human Person Furniture Table and Sarah Burton — Sarah Burton speaking at Vogue’s Forces of Fashion conference

As the conversation turns to preservation of craft and the importance of setting up a new generation of designers for success, Burton reveals some of what makes her McQueen team so strong: community. “There’s no hierarchy of ideas. It’s a really collaborative process,” she says. The team is famous for its research trips around the United Kingdom, where they mine inspiration for each collection—and perhaps stumble across some new ideas for how to work together. Burton remembers visiting a church in Cornwall where “each kneeler was embroidered by a different person. You could almost feel the sense of community in the room, and this sense of people coming together.”

The communal spirit of Alexander McQueen is on display as Burton gives a tour through the store’s Roses exhibition. She explains the secret details of each dress in the show, from Lee Alexander McQueen’s spring 1999 floral embroidered burlap separates—“a lot of the show pieces at that time,” Burton says, pointing to the freehand embroideries, “were actually made by students”—to her own rose dress from the fall 2018 collection. “For me, the rose is the archetypal British flower, and it also represents a woman to me.”

Special mention goes to the fall 2006 Sarabande dress worn by Tanya Dziahileva, which was made with real flowers cascading off the bodice. It’s been restored twice for exhibitions, with real and fake flowers added for preservation. But right there on the bust, Burton highlights one original flower placed by Lee. “One rosebud from the original dress [is] sitting right here,” she says. Think of it as a symbol of McQueen’s past blossoming into its future.

Buy tickets to Forces of Fashion here.

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Artist Spotlight

Rare Nike Air Foamposite One Yankees Sample Hits the Market

Sneaker culture is all about exclusivity, and sometimes, a truly special pair comes along that gets everyone excited. One such sneaker is the Nike Air Foamposite One Yankees Sample, a unique blend of basketball history and baseball style. With its striking look and connections to two famous sports worlds, this rare sneaker has just hit the resale market, and collectors are eager to get their hands on it. Originally created for basketball star Penny Hardaway, the Foamposite One became a staple of ’90s sneaker fashion. Its innovative design was groundbreaking at the time.

However, this special Yankees-themed version takes it a step further. It features a deep navy blue and bright white color scheme, resembling the classic pinstripes of the New York Yankees, one of the most celebrated teams in baseball. The unique wave design that runs across the upper part makes this sneaker stand out, giving it a dynamic look and feel. Unlike the regular versions sold in stores, this sample was never mass-produced, which adds to its appeal among collectors and passionate Yankees fans. Currently listed on Index PDX in size 9 for an impressive $3,500, the price reflects how rare it is.

However, what really matters is the story behind it. From basketball courts to everyday life, the Foamposite One has always been a symbol of performance and fashion. This Yankees edition connects two sports that have captured the hearts of fans for generations. For those lucky enough to own this sneaker, it’s a statement piece. It showcases Nike’s dedication to exploring and celebrating sports culture. Whether proudly displayed or worn to show off hometown pride, the Yankees Foamposite One serves as a reminder of the unforgettable moments shared between basketball and baseball.

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Artist Spotlight

Kim Kardashian’s Tesla Robot Photoshoot Sparks Social Media Firestorm

Kim Kardashian is no stranger to stirring up controversy, but her latest photoshoot has generated quite a surprising backlash. Recently, she shared a striking set of images for Perfect Magazine, where she posed alongside a humanoid robot from Tesla and sat on top of a shiny Cybertruck. The shoot was intended to playfully highlight her reputation as being “robotic,” something she feels has been used to describe her in the media. “I think the big joke about doing the shoot with the robot is that I feel like I’m so robotic,” she explained. However, not everyone found it amusing.

Many people online expressed their disapproval, and it wasn’t just about the futuristic look of the photos. Critics viewed the shoot as a nod of support for Tesla’s CEO, Elon Musk, who is currently a controversial figure facing boycotts. One commenter remarked, “She definitely picked a side,” while another harshly suggested that the Cybertruck could be iconic only if it were on fire! The discussion quickly expanded beyond fashion, with some linking the imagery to international conflicts. “Well, that’s a very clear side just picked, the same one that sides with Russia. Not great,” one user stated.

This incident highlights how public figures like Kardashian are closely watched for their choices and associations. Even what might seem like a fun photoshoot can carry significant meaning. While she intended the shoot to be lighthearted, the timing raised concerns for many fans, especially with Musk’s political connections currently under scrutiny and Tesla facing criticism. Despite the backlash, Kardashian has chosen to stay quiet and let the photos speak for themselves. As always, she is navigating between bold fashion choices and cultural debates, showing that whatever she does, people will have something to say about it. It remains to be seen if she will respond to the controversy or move on to her next big moment.

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