Taking Our Vision To Imagination's Next Level

"There is no way back for me now. I am going to take you on journeys you've never dreamed were possible." - Alexander McQueen

I had the most cherished pleasure of seeing the Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty exhibit at the Met this summer. The curation was impeccable. The presentation was exquisite. Alexander McQueen's pieces were enveloped in writing, audio design, lighting, media and showcased to perfection (aside from the crowds – it is rare you view art shoulder-to-shoulder with fellow engaged audience members). The entire experience set a moving and emotional stage for his artwork. 

Alexander McQueen was a true visionary. He did not simply check off his list and move on once he did his job of creating fashions. He created an experience, and therefore an everlasting memory. He brought what is beyond most other's wildest imagination to life. He mastered beautiful, moving, ethereal, fashion – breathtaking art.

One example is for his FW0607 Collection, he delivered his inventive creativity to his audience on the runway in the form of a 3D hologram of Kate Moss dressed in one of his pieces and set to music. On a mannequin or more traditionally on a model strutting down the runway, an entirely different interaction and experience would have resulted, void of this same delicate beauty and emotion which captures his vision so well. 

Had his "production schedule" allowed for the more of his fashion pieces to have been created sooner, much prior to the live runway show, he would have done the entire collection in hologram. Here is a view from the audience perspective:

Alexander McQueen - Widows of Culloden - Kate Moss Hologram. from WeAreMeanwhile on Vimeo.

Alexander McQueen took a risk in that he made a large investment in something which had never been done before. He had many important and critical people in the audience who were there to see a runway show. Due to the fact that he was meticulous in executing his vision all the way, to his highest standard, despite going against the grain, I do not imagine anyone minded…

The filmmaker who worked with McQueen to create the hologram, Baillie Walsh, later went on to create both a controversial yet stunning ad for Cadbury Flake:

as well as another 3D video with Kate Moss using state-of-the-art Phantom cameras (put on your 3D glasses for this one):

KM3D-1 from artschoolvets on Vimeo.

May we continue to embrace and nurture our very own wildest imagination and continue to inspire and be inspired by the artist in each and every one of us.