British fashion designer Alexander McQueen’s appearance didn’t really live up to one’s expectations – he came across more like your average bloke who’d spend most nights in a dark pub nursing a pint.

But the working-class background brought something fresh to his style and he quickly became known as fashion’s ”bad boy”. All of a sudden, outrageous subjects like Jack the Ripper, rape and insane asylums became part of the catwalk. But the more successful he became the more unhappier he seemed to get; McQueen took his life in 2010.

A touching and engrossing documentary that interviews the designer’s friends, family and colleagues. Lots of archive footage makes McQueen himself a very vivid part of the film. Nicely designed, with stylish, evocative use of skulls, McQueen’s trademark.

2018-U.K. 111 min. Color. Directed by Ian Bonhôte, Peter Ettedgui. Screenplay: Peter Ettedgui. 

Last word: “We found an amazing video from 1997, when Lee talked about his early years at the V&A. He is so funny and honest, and it shows how deeply Lee thought about what he did. […] It’s so nice to see him in the V&A, the museum from which he drew so much inspiration, and which staged ‘Savage Beauty’ after his death. Alas, the sound and picture quality was too poor for us to be able to use this unique record.” (Bonhôte and Ettedgui, Visionaire)