These Alexander McQueen creations prove that upcycling is the future of fashion

Jul 13, 2023

By Héloïse Salessy

Alexander McQueen has long been taking an eco-responsible approach by offering unused fabrics from the archives to fashion school graduates for their graduation collections. The British label is now committed to more environmentally friendly methods within its own collections

With a special focus on the protection of know-how and craftsmanship, Alexander McQueen, under the helm of Sarah Burton, presented last September a Spring/Summer 2020 fashion show featuring some of its silhouettes made from recycled materials. Made from jacquards, silks and laces from archives, looks 33, 40 and 41 of the show once again demonstrated the creative scene's growing commitment to environmental protection.

By Héloïse Salessy

By Frédérique Verley, translated by Ellie Davis and Grace Long

By Emma Spedding

This dress has been reworked from fabrics from previous collections: lichen lace for Fall/Winter 2017-2018, fine cotton tulle and ivory washed silk organza. A total of 300 hand-cut circles and 80 metres of lace and tulle make up this creation.

By Héloïse Salessy

By Frédérique Verley, translated by Ellie Davis and Grace Long

By Emma Spedding

This fitted jacket combined with trousers is made of black woollen silk with a lining of burst flounces in silk jacquard, washed organza, taffeta and lace from old collections.

By Héloïse Salessy

By Frédérique Verley, translated by Ellie Davis and Grace Long

By Emma Spedding

This dress in recycled silk jacquard, lace, organza and tulle is worn with a draped asymmetrical skirt and a corset base in cotton tulle. The cascading cut fabrics come from previous collections: ivory floral lace from the Spring/Summer 2016 collection, scalloped silk faille jacquards from the Spring/Summer 2019-2020 pre-season collection, and washed organza and taffeta in ivory and calico tones from the archives.

Translated by Freya Doggett

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