Lee Alexander McQueen: Mind, Mythos, Muse

Lee Alexander McQueen: Mind, Mythos, Muse

One of the most significant contributors to fashion between 1990 and 2010, Lee Alexander McQueen (London, 1969–2010) was both a conceptual and technical virtuoso. His critically acclaimed collections synthesized the designer’s proficiency in tailoring and dressmaking with both encyclopedic and autobiographical references that spanned time, geography, media, and technology. The first McQueen exhibition on the West Coast, Lee Alexander McQueen: Mind, Mythos, Muse contextualizes the designer’s imaginative work within a canon of artmakers who drew upon analogous themes and visual references. Exploring imagination, artistic process, and innovation in fashion and art, the exhibition examines the interdisciplinary impulse that defined the designer’s career. Displaying select McQueen garments from the Collection of Regina J. Drucker alongside artworks largely from LACMA’s permanent collection, Mind, Mythos, Muse presents a case study of the designer’s methods and influences, and in doing so, provides the opportunity to better understand artistic legacy and cycles of inspiration.

The central gallery of this exhibition is now closed. The remaining portions remain fully accessible through Sunday, October 9.

One of the most significant contributors to fashion between 1990 and 2010, Lee Alexander McQueen (London, 1969–2010) was both a conceptual and technical virtuoso. His critically acclaimed collections synthesized the designer’s proficiency in tailoring and dressmaking with both encyclopedic and autobiographical references that spanned time, geography, media, and technology. The first McQueen exhibition on the West Coast, Lee Alexander McQueen: Mind, Mythos, Muse contextualizes the designer’s imaginative work within a canon of artmakers who drew upon analogous themes and visual references. Exploring imagination, artistic process, and innovation in fashion and art, the exhibition examines the interdisciplinary impulse that defined the designer’s career. Displaying select McQueen garments from the Collection of Regina J. Drucker alongside artworks largely from LACMA’s permanent collection, Mind, Mythos, Muse presents a case study of the designer’s methods and influences, and in doing so, provides the opportunity to better understand artistic legacy and cycles of inspiration.

The central gallery of this exhibition is now closed. The remaining portions remain fully accessible through Sunday, October 9.

This exhibition was organized by the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

Support is provided by the 2021 Collectors Committee and The Jacqueline and Hoyt B. Leisure Costume and Textiles Fund.

All exhibitions at LACMA are underwritten by the LACMA Exhibition Fund. Major annual support is provided by Meredith and David Kaplan, with generous annual funding from Kevin J. Chen, Louise and Brad Edgerton, Edgerton Foundation, Emily and Teddy Greenspan, Mary and Daniel James, Justin Lubliner, Jennifer and Mark McCormick, Kelsey Lee Offield, Koni and Geoff Rich, Jen Rubio and Stewart Butterfield, Lenore and Richard Wayne, and Marietta Wu and Thomas Yamamoto.

Image: (Left) Alexander McQueen, Woman's Ensemble (Dress and Leggings), Spring/Summer 2010, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Gift from the Collection of Regina J. Drucker, photo © Museum Associates/LACMA

(Right) Manuel Cipriano Gomes Mafra, Urn, circa 1865-1887, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Gift of Barbara Barbara and Marty Frenkel, photo © Museum Associates/LACMA

• Apr 25–Oct 9, 2022
• Resnick Pavilion

When listening inside the exhibition, please be considerate of others and use headphones.

This exhibition was organized by the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

Support is provided by the 2021 Collectors Committee and The Jacqueline and Hoyt B. Leisure Costume and Textiles Fund.

All exhibitions at LACMA are underwritten by the LACMA Exhibition Fund. Major annual support is provided by Meredith and David Kaplan, with generous annual funding from Kevin J. Chen, Louise and Brad Edgerton, Edgerton Foundation, Emily and Teddy Greenspan, Mary and Daniel James, Justin Lubliner, Jennifer and Mark McCormick, Kelsey Lee Offield, Koni and Geoff Rich, Jen Rubio and Stewart Butterfield, Lenore and Richard Wayne, and Marietta Wu and Thomas Yamamoto.

Image: (Left) Alexander McQueen, Woman's Ensemble (Dress and Leggings), Spring/Summer 2010, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Gift from the Collection of Regina J. Drucker, photo © Museum Associates/LACMA

(Right) Manuel Cipriano Gomes Mafra, Urn, circa 1865-1887, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Gift of Barbara Barbara and Marty Frenkel, photo © Museum Associates/LACMA

Media

Take a glimpse into the installation of the exhibition Lee Alexander McQueen: Mind, Mythos, Muse, which was on view at LACMA from April 25, 2022 to October 9, 2022.

Eighth R.L. Shep Triennial Symposium: Lee Alexander McQueen

In conjunction with the exhibition Lee Alexander McQueen: Mind, Mythos, Muse, renowned scholars and artists explore imagination, artistic process, and innovation in fashion and art to further examine the interdisciplinary impulse that defined McQueen’s career, legacy, and sources of inspiration. Presented on YouTube as a free video series, released on the last Tuesday of every month, May - August, 2022.

The Eighth R.L. Shep Triennial Symposium is supported by the R.L. Shep Symposium Endowment for Costume and Textiles, LACMA.

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