TREND I-SPY

More proof-positive that Alexander McQueen was not simply a great fashion designer but also a true visionary comes from an article in Britain's The Daily Mail which recently reported that UK department store Debenhams has become the first major retailer to show a disabled model in an advertising campaign. 32 year old Shannon Murray has been using a wheelchair since breaking her neck at the age of 14. McQueen included the double-amputee model and athlete Aimee Mullins over 10 years ago in his Spring 2000 Collection. She wore intricately carved wooden legs! Just how many men and women are being sent home from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan with missing limbs is not certain but the numbers are significant enough to raise awareness of a potential new consumer group, people with special needs. Principles by Ben de Lisi for Debenhams Spring 2010 The late, great photographer Helmut Newton was famous for exploring "the dark side" of beauty. In 1995 he caused an uproar in fash...

Alexander McQueen,S2000 A lexander McQueen was renowned for his thought-provoking and often controversial runway shows. One of my absolute favorites was Spring 2000 when he sent double-amputee Aimee Mullins down the catwalk in a pair of hand-carved wooden legs and boots. What was the point? Did he have one? I only know what I take away from it myself and that is his extraordinary ability to find beauty in the most unconventional of places. In some cases, others follow years later and its true in this instance. There is now a reality show contest for models with disabilities including missing limbs. Alessandra Stanley wrote a great article in The New York Times about “Britain’s Missing Top Model” In it she ponders whether or not this show is a positive step forward or in the general acceptance of people with disabilities. One thing is for sure, McQueen drew the eye to a place where others often preferred to look away and once he had your attention, he kept it there. Photograph by Nick ...