By understanding the trades of tailoring and dressmaking, McQueen could masterfully deconstruct clothing. A tweed and leather ensemble from Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious (Fall/Winter 2002–3) subverts outerwear, underwear, and accessories in a jacket tailored with a belted bra and harness, with lacing highlighting the back of the jacket (like a spine) and the sides of a pair of jeans. A body-conscious dress from Scanners of wrapped bands of silk with zippers at the side seams reimagines dresses made famous by Azzedine Alaïa, whom McQueen greatly admired.

Alexander McQueen (Lee Alexander McQueen)
Woman's Jacket, Fall/Winter 2002- 3
Los Angeles County Museum of Art
Gift from the Collection of Regina J. Drucker
photo © Museum Associates/LACMA