Lee Alexander McQueen was a British fashion designer and couturier best known for his in-depth knowledge of bespoke British tailoring, his tendency to juxtapose female strength and sensuality with fragility in his collections, as well as the emotional power and raw energy of his provocative fashion shows. He is also known for having worked as chief designer at the French Haute Couture House Givenchy and for founding his own label under the name Alexander McQueen.

Alexander McQueen was born in London on March 17, 1969, the youngest of six children. His father, Ronald, worked as a London cabdriver, while his mother, Joyce, was a social science teacher.

Aware of his homosexuality at an early age—he said he knew at age eight—he was frequently taunted by other children, who called him ''McQueer.'' School was difficult in other ways as well; as a young boy, he knew he wanted to work in fashion and had a hard time focusing on academics. He left school at 16, and landed an apprenticeship on Savile Row working for the tailors Anderson & Sheppard and then Gieves & Hawkes.

McQueen returned to school during this time and, in 1992, he completed his studies at Central Saint Martin's College of Art & Design. The same year he finished his degree, he started his own women's wear business. Four years later, he was hired to be the head designer of the Louis Vuitton-owned Givenchy fashion line. His time at Givenchy was troubled, and in 2000 he sold his stake of the company to the rival Gucci Group. McQueen stayed with Givenchy until March 2001, when his contract finally ended.

In 2004, McQueen launched his own menswear line, and the secondary line McQ in 2006. Soon, McQueen's lines became a favorite of celebrities such as Kate Moss, Gwyneth Paltrow and Rihanna, and he had boutiques in New York, London, Milan, Las Vegas and on Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles