On February 11, 2010 the fashion world lost one of its most elite designers. The genius that is Alexander McQueen took his own life in his home in Green Street, London just days before London’s prestigious fashion week (where we was not scheduled to show). But that’s not what this is about. This is about the Summer 2010 collection of McQueen’s named “Platos Atlantis.” I sat here for a little while trying to even come up with the adjectives to describe Platos Atlantis, (A collection that includes animal prints, such as python and butterfly, and rainforest inspired colors) and what I came up with was primitive mixed with technologic. Every print and pattern is uniquely crafted and designed for each garment causing no 2 pieces in this collection to be the same. The structure and depth of each single piece of clothing has McQueen’s passion for making a woman look beautiful and fascinating written all over it. Not only are the pieces of clothing in this collection extraordinary and unlike anything the fashion world has seen before, but also the shoes are out of this world.

As the models strut down the runway in almost hoof-like heels they resemble aliens from another planet. Weather you believe they are extreme, daring or just plain bizarre these 10-inch sky-high heels and boots are not only incredibly fabulous but theatrical as well. McQueen obviously knows how to make a girl ignore her feet when their crying in pain, but nonetheless the models looked FIERCE.  With Paris Fashion Week coming up and his Summer 2010 collection and final masterpieces come to life we will always remember McQueen as innovative, irreplaceable and one of a kind.

“There is no better designer than nature.” -Alexander McQueen March 17 1969 – February 11 2010

Stylist Lucinda Chambers pulled together several of this season’s most vibrant, intricate, and futuristic pieces to showcase on 22-year-old Danish cover girl Freja Beha Erichsen of IMG, who recently opened for the Chanel couture show during Paris Fashion Week, is featured in an editorial entitled “Cyber Tribe” for the March 2010 issue of Vogue UK shot by photographer Josh Olins. With the spring collections, designers are creating collections that are more comfortable and colorful using sharper lines, masculine designs, and many details. Using a neutral-colored backdrop, Freja is shown in designs by Manish Arora, Giorgio Armani, Swarovski, Carianne Moore, Lucy Hutchings, Emilio Pucci, Alexander McQueen, Gucci, and Versace. My favorite look in this editorial is the Emilio Pucci silk dress with the Swarovski crystallized Manish Arora shoulder pieces and Snakeskin Alexander McQueen boots being quite eccentric and extremely colorful.

The March 2010 issue of Marie Claire UK features a layout starring 27-year-old Canadian True Blood star Anna Paquin, who won an Oscar at age nine being the second youngest actress to receive the award, shot by photographer Frederic Pinet set in a supermarket. Making the supermarket look fashionably chic, Anna is shown in a stretch Viktor & Rolf tulle and sequin dress with Pierre Hardy suede and Swarovski crystal sandals with a full shopping cart in the produce section, a Chanel tweed dress with Gianvito Rossi nylon shoes in front of a mountain of bottled water, Prada Plex Crystal dress and cotton top with a satin and Plex Crystal belt in the candy aisle having a Red Vine in mouth, Lavin blue silk dress under a red silk dress with black Jonathan Kelsey leather shoes holding a bouquet of balloons, a Josh Goot silk dress with Rock and Republic leather shoes leaning against the snack aisle, stunningly poised in an Alexander McQueen silk chiffon and diamante dress in front of the meat freezer, and looking intense in a Salvatore Ferragamo silk dress and Christian Louboutin studded leather shoes next to a tower of Duraflames. I really enjoy this layout of Anna showing her in a ‘normal’ everyday setting in an array of fabulous dresses with Viktor & Rolf tulle and sequin dress being my favorite.

For the March 2010 issue of Vogue Nippon is an 18-page editorial entitled “The Lonesome Highway” starring 19-year-old Russian cover girl Anna Selezneva of Silent Models, who was featured on the cover of Numéro February 2010, shot by photographer Mark Segal. Styled by George Cortina, Anna brings to life the simplicity of rural life in patterned pieces by designers Alexander McQueen, Louis Vuitton, Jeremy Scott, and Chanel with my favorite piece being the pink Jeremy Scott strapless bodysuit looking very young, fresh, and chic.

Vogue Italia February 2010 features an editorial entitled “Three Women” starring 26-year-old American model Jamie Bochert of Women Models, 37-year-old Irish supermodel Daphne Guinness, and 26-year-old British model Agyness Deyn of Viva Models for a high fashion-meets-rowdy-cowboys shoot by photographer Steven Meisel. These three lovely ladies are shown in designs by Karl Lagerfeld, Gianfranco Ferré, Alexander McQueen, Gucci, and Lanvin for a classic star studded editorial.

Alexander McQueen’s Lobster Claw shoes live on in spring fashion mags around the world. For March, 2010 Frida Gustavsson made an appearance in Vogue in a set of Lobster Claw stilettos.

16-year-old Swedish model Frida Gustavsson of IMG, who recently appeared in editorials for Vogue Italia and W, stars on the cover and in an editorial entitled “Style Stars” for the March 2010 issue of Vogue Germany shot by photographer Greg Kadel. Presenting trends for this season, Frida looks flawless in designs by Alexander McQueen, Prada, Ralph Lauren, Gucci, Balmain, Dior, Roberto Cavalli, Louis Vuitton, Bottega Veneta, Chloé, and Dolce & Gabbana from mixed patterns, denims, and structured pieces to afros, purple eyeshadow, and cat faces. My favorite trend for the season comes from Louis Vuitton combining afro chic with a maturing lolita look.

Why is that when a person dies, everyone suddenly notices how great he or she was? Alexander McQueen was an amazingly creative designer that has definitely impacted the fashion world in a large way, and with the news of his tragic death, everyone is chasing after his creations to keep his memory alive.

Since the first news of his death, McQueen’s iconic skull-print scarf has been “flying off the shelves” retailing for £200 having worn by the likes of Kate Moss, Liv Tyler, and Nicole Richie.

The Head of Press of the London department store Liberty Kate Brindley said, “The response was immediate. At about 4pm, just after the news broke, all of our Alexander McQueen stock started flying off the shelves. The scarf was such an iconic piece of his design.”

The second most popular item right now is the black shoulder-pad tee from McQueen’s summer collection. The Buying and Merchandising Director of Selfridges Anne Pitcher also said, “We fully expect customers to want to buy something by him – anything – to keep as a memento, but also as a genuine tribute to his craft and spirit.”

Doing her part to raise money for Haiti relief, 39-year-old British supermodel Naomi Campbell did what she does best by organizing the Fashion For Relief Haiti runway show on Friday, February 12th at Bryant Park’s The Tent in part of Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week hosted by 50-year-old Duchess of York Sarah Ferguson.

The show consisted of models and celebrities walking the runway in some fabulous designers threads styled by Rachel Zoe with celebrity models in the likes of Chris Brown, Fergie, and Kelly Osbourne. The show featured designers such as Diane von Furstenberg and Donna Karan with looks from Dolce & Gabbana, Ralph Lauren, Christian Dior, and Carolina Herrera to be auctioned online at at Net-A-Porter.com starting Monday, March 15th. Having held 950 guests and with tickets from $100 to $150 per seat, all the proceeds are going to CARE, an organization dedicated to rebuilding Haiti’s health-care system for women and children.

Although she rarely walks the runway nowadays, Naomi took three trips down the runway with her last look being dedicated to her good friend designer Alexander McQueen, who committed suicide just one day prior, in a thigh-high, multi-colored graphic print dress by McQueen. Along with Naomi, seven other models paid tribute to McQueen by showcasing his creations in a tribute set to Patti Smith’s “Because the Night” to close out the show.

For the finally farewell, Sarah Ferguson told guests, “Thank you, by being here you’ve made a difference.”

In the past, Naomi has also staged Fashion For Relief shows in New York after the Hurricane Katrina disaster as well as the massacre in Mumbai, India. To further benefit Haitian women, Naomi is holding a similar show this Thursday, February 18th during London Fashion Week.

Tragedy has struck the fashion world with the news of 40-year-old British designer Alexander, or Lee, McQueen having taken his own life yesterday in his luxury Mayfair flat in Central London. Known for his flamboyant and outrageous sense of style, he has designed creations for the likes of Sarah Jessica Parker, Rihanna, and Lady Gaga. Having lost his mother just days prior and his close friend and style guru Isabella Blow, who jumped start his career, three years earlier, it is said that Lee hung himself. Lee was also scheduled to show one of his lines, McQ, in New York this afternoon in part of Mercedez Benz Fashion Week.

In a statement from the designer’s company, they stated, “On behalf of Lee McQueen’s family, Alexander McQueen today announces the tragic news that Lee McQueen, the founder and designer of the Alexander McQueen brand, has been found dead at his home. At this stage it is inappropriate to comment on this tragic news beyond saying that we are devastated and are sharing a sense of shock and grief with Lee’s family. Lee’s family has asked for privacy in order to come to terms with this terrible news and we hope the media will respect this.”

Lee McQueen, born in the East End of London becoming the son of a taxi driver, started his career as an apprentice at age 16 in Savile Row making suits for Prince Charles. He was first discovered in the 90’s by Tatler fashion director Isabella Blow, who killed herself in May of 2007 after being diagnosed with ovarian cancer, buying his entire first collection for £5,000. Lee was initially known as the “enfant terrible” in the fashion world sporting ultra-short hair and Doc Marten combat boots. In 1996, Givenchy appointed him as their head designer succeeding John Galliano and later joined forces with Gucci, who bought 51 percent of his company. Throughout his career, he was given many awards being named British Designer of the Year four times between 1996 and 2003, the International Designer of the Year at the Council of Fashion Designer Awards, and received a CBE, Commander of the Order of the British Empire, in 2003.

Not only was Lee an amazing designer, he was openly gay having once described himself as the “pink sheep of the family.” About his open sexuality, he once said, “I was sure of myself and my sexuality and I’ve got nothing to hide. I went straight from my mother’s womb onto the gay parade.”

In 2000, he married his partner and filmmaker George Forsyth on a yacht owned by the prince of Gambia in Ibiza with friend and supermodel Kate Moss as bridesmaid. With the marriage lasting for about nine years, as of last February, Lee was single and dating porn star ‘Mr. Stag.’

Moments following the news of Lee’s death, a statement was released on behalf of Kate Moss saying, “Kate is shocked and devastated at the tragic loss of her dear friend Lee McQueen. Her thoughts are with his family at this sad time.”

Editor of Vogue Alexandra Shulman said, “Lee McQueen influenced a whole generation of designers. His brilliant imagination knew no bounds as he conjured up collection after collection of extraordinary designs. At one level, he was a master of the fantastic, creating astounding fashion shows that mixed design, technology and performance and on another he was a modern-day genius whose gothic aesthetic was adopted by women the world over. His death is the hugest loss to anyone who knew him and for very many who didn’t.”

McQueen’s former CEO Sue Whiteley said, “This is devastating news. He was an unforgettable part of my life. He was a talent who was beyond others. People who worked with him would give 100 per cent and more because he was totally inspiring. This is an unimaginable loss for the fashion world. He was able to bring creativity to whatever he turns his hand to, from perfume bottles to every piece of clothing. It is a dark, dark day to hear this news. he was a British icon in fashion whose loss is unimaginable.”

The British Fashion Council sent their condolences saying, “We are deeply saddened at the news of Alexander McQueen’s untimely death. He was a unique talent and one of the world’s greatest designers. Our thoughts are with his friends and family at this sad time.”

The news of the death of designer Alexander ‘Lee’ McQueen has definitely cast a shadow on the fashion world today leaving us with two decades of his amazing art seen through his eccentric collections.

Sporting Alexander McQueen’s potentially dangerous ‘lobster’ platforms in every image is 24-year-old Russian cover girl Natasha Poly of Select Models alongside 27-year-old British male model Ollie Edwards of FM Agency in the pre-spring 2010 issue of i-D magazine shot by photographer Emma Summerton. Utilizing black and white imaging and a bright orange backdrop, stylist Edward Enninful outfits Natasha and Ollie in nude colors to create a neutral looking editorial entitled “Talk Dirty To Me. No Strings Attached.” Although bright colors were not used, the garments were very well designed creating clean sharp lines to focus on those massive Alexander McQueen platforms.