This season McQueen’s inspiration was taken from witches and the mystical and dark side of the craft. Many commented the collection is another safe collection for McQueen showing reconstructed or possibly omitted pieces from previous collections. While I can see that McQueen barrowed heavily from past collection, what most didn’t notice is the new shape and inspiration in a few pieces. Easily missed because McQueen didn’t show them as flashy, heavily decadent looks. Rather they were very simple and the emphasis on the new silhouette that McQueen is working on. This new shape is a broader hip or shoulder, very sculpted and reminiscent of the flattering shapes of the Victoria period. The first section is very mix match in terms of silhouette but McQueen focuses on one length for dresses and outerwear. For the second section we start to see some of the previous collections looks, like the bondage looks and the goddess dresses. In the third section McQueen takes this seasons leather trend and does leather on everything but outerwear pieces. One of the standout leather pieces is a burgundy leather strapless dress with a sculpted silhouette worn with shoulder length burgundy leather gloves and burgundy fur wrap around neck and shoulders.

McQueen used a lot of leather in the details of this collection, from the shoulder length gloves, belts, boots and bags. One of the key looks highlighting these great leather pieces is the white silk jersey wrap dress with a wide hooded collar and lapel. To complete the look McQueen added burgundy leather accessories, from the triple strap on the waist, the shoulder length gloves to the textured and studded burgundy leather boots and handbag. He does however move away from the clean line structure to a billowy and romantic silhouette for evening. The strongest pieces are his slimmer evening gowns beaded with shooting star storms. One of the standout pieces is a midnight black velvet floor length gown. The mock neckline, shoulder are beaded in crystals in star shower shooting down to the waist of the gown.

The two must have pieces from the collection are two of Alexander McQueen’s new dramatic silhouette pieces. First is a gold metallic off the shoulder dress. The sleeves and hips are sculpted and the skirt length is short. Another must have piece is the black silk satin coat with the seaming highlighted by black crystal beading. The sleeves of the coat are black leather and are tailored to the arm like a glove. After 5 seasons of non-stop show stopper collection, McQueen does deserve some time off for good behavior. While many editors and critics slammed him for an unimaginative collection. They are spoiled because they expected more of a spectacular and nonstop romp of flawless pieces and looks. Bottom line the collection is safe and McQueen gave us strong pieces that are a second chance to grab classic McQueen style pieces. More importantly McQueen gives us a little hint for the future, a new shape and a new vision. Bravo Monsieur McQueen!

View complete collection at Wireimage

[images viaWireimage.com]